There is no such thing as a bad head-coaching job in the NFL. With just 32 available, every position is coveted. And this offseason, 10 of these desirable gigs changed hands — a whopping figure that tied the NFL record, previously set in 2006, 1997 and 1978.
Now, coaching changes are typically made when a franchise has stagnated, if not fully collapsed. Thus, the new head man immediately faces an uphill battle. And yet, this league isn’t exactly known for patience. Right now, 10 ownership groups/fan bases expect new leaders to transform their teams into contenders. From establishing a championship culture to dazzling opponents with clever schematics, the new guys are all tasked with reaching the same promised land despite starting out with completely different circumstances.
With the bulk of offseason roster reconstruction behind us and NFL teams hitting summer break, I believe this is the perfect time to assess each new coach’s environment for the coming season. Who’s in the best position to enjoy immediate success? Who’s facing the most challenging task in Year 1? Here’s my countdown, from the least favorable to the most favorable setup in 2022.
