Tag: 2024 NFL offseason

Commanders or Chargers? Which is the better job?

There will be a lot coaching openings in 2024. The Chargers and Commanders could be the best two.

“Grant & Danny” of 106.7 The Fan in Washington asked the question Friday, which job is better, the Commanders or the Chargers?

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was fired Friday. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will be let go upon the conclusion of the 2023 season.

So, which job is better between the Commanders and Chargers?

Well, the Chargers certainly have a much better stadium. But I might add some credit does need to go to the Josh Harris group here. The previous owner had permitted FedEx to become the worst stadium in the NFL. Harris has already poured millions into the stadium, and there will be more.

The Commanders have a much better cap situation in 2024. The Chargers will have an estimated $45 million available. But the Commanders? How about $88 million?

The Chargers, no doubt, also have the better climate. Average temperatures for November in Washington are 59/37, and in December, 48/30. By contrast, the average temperatures in Los Angeles are 73/53 and 68/49.

How about the 2024 NFL draft? Currently, the Chargers are in the 5th position at 5-9, while Washington is 4th at 4-9.  The Chargers in the top three rounds currently have choices 5, 37 and 69. Of course, following the season, if the new team leadership wants to trade for more choices, they certainly can.

Washington has already made two trades; consequently, in the first three rounds, the Commanders currently have choices 4, 36, 41, 68 and 100. Certainly, a new coach would rather have the Commanders draft choices.

Having said all of this, what might it come down to in determining which job is more attractive between the Chargers and Commanders? Might it be as simple as one thing? Might it be the team’s quarterback?

Sam Howell is in his first full season of playing and it has certainly, many times, been a roller coaster ride. At times, Howell makes wonderful plays, then there are times he freezes, holds the ball, and accumulates quarterback sacks.

Justin Herbert was passed over by Washington in the 2020 draft, mostly because the previous owner had played GM and drafted the quarterback he wanted in 2019. He turned out to be not ready for the NFL.

Herbert has started all four seasons. In his rookie season, he passed for 4,336 yards and was voted the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. His second season was even better, passing for 5,014 yards (38 touchdowns/15 interceptions).

Howell leads the NFL in interceptions (14), sacks (58) and pick-sixes (4). Herbert is injured and out for the remainder of the season. But these three numbers alone of Howell are enough to conclude Herbert is better.

What’s more, quarterback weighs so much in the equation, Herbert probably makes the Chargers opening the better opportunity of the two. Coaches will no doubt be lining up first, hoping to coach Herbert.

But yes, of the other jobs that may be available, Carolina, New England, Chicago and Las Vegas, the Josh Harris ownership group, the salary cap, the draft choices all make the Commanders the second most attractive opportunity this offseason[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media].

 

Commanders are ‘the best job’ with no Dan Snyder anymore

If the Commanders move on from the current regime as expected, the GM/coach openings will be coveted.

When new owner Josh Harris took over in July, he made it clear there would be no significant changes at that time. For Harris and his fellow owners, their focus was on the 2023 season, fan engagement and making improvements to FedEx Field.

With four games remaining in the 2023 season and the Commanders sitting at 4-9, changes are coming. Harris is expected to part with head coach Ron Rivera after the season. Rivera also serves as Washington’s top football executive, with general manager Martin Mayhew reporting to him. Therefore, the Commanders will likely be making two separate hires.

Washington will have around $90 million in salary-cap room, with the ability to create more, a top-five NFL draft pick and five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.

But most importantly, Washington has new ownership. Dan Snyder is gone. Harris and his ownership group have plenty of experience owning professional sports teams and are widely respected. When you factor in Washington’s resources and the presence of the Harris Ownership Group, the Commanders will be a destination job for rising general managers and head coaches.

One NFL source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post that the Washington job would be the “best job.”

“From an outside perspective, Washington is the best job now that Dan Snyder doesn’t own it,” a prominent NFL agent told Jhabvala.

Did you ever think you’d hear those words?

This season has been difficult for Washington fans. While most likely knew the Commanders wouldn’t make the playoffs, no one expected them to be this bad. However, Harris has preached patience, and soon, Jan. 8 to be exact, you’ll likely see ownership begin to reshape the franchise in their vision.

And for once, Washington fans can have real hope.

NFL analyst has an intriguing name for next Commanders’ general manager

Could the Commanders look to the Eagles for their next general manager?

Ross Tucker is everywhere. The former NFL offensive lineman calls NFL and college games as a color analyst and continues to host multiple podcasts, including the very popular “Ross Tucker Football Podcast.”

Tucker, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Princeton in 2001, began his career in Washington. Tucker also finished his career in Washington. Tucker also has deep ties to the Philadelphia Eagles. He grew up in Pennsylvania, where he lives today, and covers preseason games for the Eagles.

So, Tucker knows the inner workings of Philadelphia better than anyone.

On Tuesday, Tucker was a guest of the “Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan in Washington and dropped a name of someone who would be an ideal candidate for the Commanders in their expected search for a new general manager.

“I am a big fan and believer of looking at certain organizations that clearly know what they’re doing and do it at a high level, so I’d probably look hard at the Eagles,” Tucker said via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“Not only are you getting someone who knows what they’re doing, you’re also hurting your division rivals. (Assistant GM) Alec Halaby is a Harvard guy who heads up the analytics side, but he’s really over the last five years he’s really come into the player development side. He’s a big reason why they started going for two and going for it on fourth down years ago when they had Doug Pederson.”

We’ve heard Halaby mentioned in conjunction with possible GM openings for 2024. Front-office executives from successful organizations are often the targets of rebuilding teams. The Eagles, 49ers and Ravens come to mind. The Cowboys also have some talented front-office executives. For years, teams tried to raid the Patriots to emulate their success.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is the best in the NFL. Roseman does everything right. He builds the trenches and values draft picks but is also aggressive in free agency and on the trade market. Roseman spares no expense to upgrade Philadelphia’s roster. He also is a strong believer in analytics.

New Washington owner Josh Harris has also prioritized analytics with his other professional sports teams. In October, Harris made his first significant hire for the Commanders in Eugene Shen.

Halaby has spent years learning under the best. Why would you not interview him? Also, like Tucker, he is an Ivy Leaguer, having graduated from Harvard. He’s in his 16th NFL season with Philadelphia and was promoted to assistant GM in 2022.

There’s also that Philadelphia connection for Harris. Remember, Harris has owned the Philadelphia 76ers for years and certainly knows about Roseman’s success.

As Tucker said, it makes sense. You pick someone smart and successful from an elite organization, which also happens to be a hated rival. It’s perfect.

Would the Commanders trade for their next head coach?

Would Josh Harris make a trade for his next head coach? If so, one NFL insider believes there are only two worth trading for.

There is no question Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will not be back in 2024.

Rivera visibly was beginning to be irritable and concerned following the second New York Giants game. The reality was setting in on Rivera; it really was not going to work out for him in Washington.

After the Dallas game, Rivera fired two defensive coaches, including his defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio.

Now the talk and speculation have turned to who will be the next Commanders head coach in Washington.

JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan heard the name, the legendary Bill Belichick, Finlay did some investigation. He asked around with some of his contacts in the NFL.

Finlay says he was told Bill Belichick is not coming to Washington in 2024. The rumor mill was simply fake news.

In addition, Finlay has tweeted (posted on X, formerly Twitter) that it was expressed to him that Belichick was not worth trading to Washington. It wasn’t that Belichick can’t still coach; what Finlay was actually told by one NFL “dude” is that he felt there were only two NFL coaches worth trading for.

Former Washington assistant coach and offensive coordinator Sean McVay is one name expressed to Finlay. It is hard to believe that McVay is still only age 37.

McVay coached the Washington tight ends from 2010-13 before he was promoted to be Jay Gruden’s offensive coordinator for three seasons (2014-2016) before being hired by the Rams in the 2017 offseason.

The only other name communicated to Finlay worth trading for is current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin (age 51) first coached in the NFL as part of Tony Dungy’s Tampa Bay staff in 2001. He then coached for Jon Gruden in Tampa (2002-05), and Brad Childress in Minnesota (2006).

Tomlin became and NFL head coach in 2007 at age 35 for the Pittsburgh Steelers and has remained there since.