Analysis: Ranking NFL's vacant coaching jobs
Four men had spun off the coaching carousel by the end of Black Monday, signalling new beginnings for those franchises. Here's ranking those vacant jobs plus the Oakland Raiders, who were led for most of the season by interim coach Tony Sparano, from most appealing to least:
1. San Francisco 49ers
Divorced: Jim Harbaugh and the Niners mutually parted Sunday evening. But the separation proceedings began earlier this year when Harbaugh and team CEO Jed York tabled contract extension talks. Harbaugh, 49-22-1 in four seasons, appears headed home to the University of Michigan, for whom he played quarterback three decades ago for Bo Schembechler. The 49ers seek a coach who can constructively partner with general manager Trent Baalke.
"This was a mutual decision," York said Monday. "Ultimately, we just came to the conclusion that it was best for us to go in different directions."
After reaching three consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XLVII, this distracted team fell to 8-8 in a season marred by injuries, off-field incidents and Harbaugh's unresolved status.
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What's good about the job: This is not a major rebuild. Injured all-pro linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis return. Baalke wants franchise rushing leader Frank Gore, 31, back to pair with rookie Carlos Hyde. The defense finished with a league-best 23 interceptions.
What's bad about this job: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick regressed as a pocket passer with his QB rating descending every year since he became the starter in 2012. Gore, receiver Michael Crabtree and guard Mike Iupati are free agents.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Fired: Mike Smith. After reaching the 2012 Championship Game, the Falcons lost 22 of 32 games. Smith, the winningest coach in franchise history, was 66-46 during the regular season but 1-4 in the playoffs. Sunday's 34-3 thumping at the hands of the Carolina Panthers, with the NFC South crown at stake, sealed his fate.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff has been retained. For now.
"Smitty's contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous," owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. "His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons, and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid."
What's good about the job: Matt Ryan is a franchise quarterback but needs more help to lead his team to a Super Bowl. He has elite receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White but lacks a consistent run game. Atlanta owns the eighth pick of the 2015 draft.
What's bad about the job: A defense ranked last in yards allowed and yards through the air is totally bereft of pass rushers.
3. Oakland Raiders
Interviewing: Sparano is a legitimate candidate after galvanizing a dysfunctional program after Dennis Allen was fired following an 0-4 start. Many players have lobbied for Sparano's return. Owner Mark Davis is conducting this search and could seek a bigger name.
What's good about the job: Rookie Derek Carr is quickly maturing into a potential franchise quarterback, and first-round linebacker Khalil Mack could land defensive rookie of the year honors.
What's bad about the job: The Raiders' future in Oakland is tenuous, and such uncertainty could deter free agents. Maybe that is a good thing considering how they need to continue building through the draft.
4. New York Jets
Fired: Coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik. Ryan took the Jets to two AFC Championship Games at the outset of his tenure but never managed to develop a franchise quarterback and hadn't reached postseason in four years.
"We're in the win business, and we're not winning, so I think this was something I had to do," owner Woody Johnson said Monday. "Maybe we should have spent more."
Idzik sat on nearly $20 million of cap space rather than adding talent around second-year quarterback Geno Smith or signing the shutdown cornerback Ryan's defense so clearly lacked.
What's good about the job: The Jets will pick sixth in the draft and have money to spend. A defense with talent up front ranked sixth overall but finished 24th in points allowed after being undermined by turnovers.
What's bad about the job: The quarterback position must be solved, likely by an offensive-minded coach.
5. Chicago Bears
Fired: Coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery after two seasons together. Emery hired Trestman, a supposed quarterback whisperer who was nevertheless unable to get Jay Cutler to play like a $126 million passer.
"The fact of the matter is we just didn't win enough games," chairman George McCaskey said Monday.
What's good about the job: The offense is studded with do-everything tailback Matt Forte and receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey plus tight end Martellus Bennett.
What's bad about the job: The leadership void. Trestman gave Cutler more responsibility only to have him throw a league-worst 18 interceptions. Cutler's enormous contract makes him difficult to trade. An aging, 30th-ranked defense is a total rebuild.
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Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett
