Grading NFL head coach hires: What we think of the moves by the Falcons, Jets and Jaguars - ESPN

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• Jeremy Fowler

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  ESPN Staff Writer

  • ESPN staff writer
  • Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com
  • University of Florida graduate

• Dan Graziano

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  ESPN Staff Writer

  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • New Jersey native and author of two published novels

Seven NFL teams fired their head coaches in this cycle -- three during the 2020 season and four after the regular season -- and now the first hirings of 2021 have been confirmed. The Jacksonville Jaguars zeroed in on former college coach Urban Meyer, who was announced as the new coach Thursday. The New York Jets announced on Thursday night that they had reached an agreement to hire former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. And the Atlanta Falcons reached an agreement with former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Friday afternoon.

How did the Falcons, Jaguars and Jets fare with their hires? We asked ESPN national NFL writers Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler to discuss each move and give their grades, starting with the most recent at the top. They'll grade more hires as they happen over the next few weeks.

Jump to a team:
Falcons | Jaguars | Jets

Background: Offensive coordinator for Tennessee Titans (2019-20); assistant coach for Titans, including tight ends, offensive line and offensive quality control (2011-18)

Graziano: Smith was the 2021 carousel's hottest name, interviewing with at least five of the seven teams that had openings and settling in Atlanta, where he'll try to recapture the offensive magic he made the last two years in Tennessee. Smith's offenses in Tennessee were known for Derrick Henry's dominance, but the work he did to get the passing game going and revive Ryan Tannehill's career is not to be ignored. Colleagues of his I've spoken to use the words "stability," "versatility" and "intelligence" when describing what Smith will bring to a head coach position. But man ... this isn't going to be the easiest job, right? Cap issues, contract issues, and how long is Matt Ryan going to be there?

Fowler: Yeah, this was one of the least attractive jobs on paper. The Falcons are staring at nearly $40 million in negative salary cap next year, and Ryan's cap hit alone is $40.9 million. But Atlanta has dedicated ownership and won big not too long ago. And Smith would get the best out of Ryan, whose contract has cleaner escape routes in 2022, so maybe helping revive a former MVP is the best path for Smith. His multidimensional rushing attack will help the quarterback. Was Smith the best fit here, or are we missing someone?

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