This offseason, the NFL saw seven different franchises bring in new head coaches.
The New York Jets (Robert Saleh), Philadelphia Eagles (Nick Sirianni), Jacksonville Jaguars (Urban Meyer), Los Angeles Chargers (Brandon Staley), Atlanta Falcons (Arthur Smith), Houston Texans (David Culley), and Detroit Lions (Dan Campbell) all have never leaders at the helm of their franchise.
Like most years, it’s likely that more NFL teams will be looking for a new head coach after the 2021 season.
For current assistants, the upcoming season will give them an opportunity to prove they can lead their designated unit to success.
For prospective NFL franchises, the 2021 season allows for them to see how various teams/units function around the league and get an idea who could come in as a potential head coach.
If, more like when, those franchises come looking for a new leader, these current assistants should be at the top of the list.
3. Brian Daboll, Buffalo Bills OC
Outside of a 2017 stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Brian Daboll has been a coach in the NFL since 2010.
He went from being a defensive assistant with the New England Patriots to their wide receivers coach before serving as the Jets’ quarterback coach from 2007-2008.
Since then, he has served as the offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills.
He has been with the Bills since 2018 and is the team’s offensive coordinator heading into 2021.
Last season, Buffalo finished second in the NFL with 6,343 yards.
While the team struggled running the ball, 20th in the league in rushing, Buffalo finished third in the league with 4,260 yards through the air.
Their 501 points scored was second in the NFL, behind just the Green Bay Packers with 509.
Daboll has been a major factor in Josh Allen‘s growth as a quarterback and helping him become one of the best signal-callers in the league.
Furthermore, a report from training camp shows Daboll’s ability to command a locker room.
This is a really cool story out of #Bills camp. Always remember where you came from… pic.twitter.com/D3ztmhiRcc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 10, 2021
Throughout his career, Daboll has worked under both Bill Belichick and Nick Saban.
If the Bills’ offense takes another step forward in 2021, Daboll will prove it’s time for him to take over an NFL franchise.
2. Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs OC
It feels like Eric Bieniemy has been a potential head coaching candidate for the last couple of offseasons now.
Most coaches from Andy Reid‘s coaching tree seem to find a head coaching job of their own as four of his former assistants in Culley, Matt Nagy, Sean McDermott , and John Harbaugh are currently leading their respective franchises.
Overall, 11 of Reid’s assistant coaches have gone on the be NFL head coaches.
It looks like Bieniemy will be the next to join the list.
Bieniemy has been a coach since 2001, starting at the college level at Colorado.
He got his first stint in the NFL as a running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 before getting his first offensive coordinator job, back at Colorado, in 2011.
Bieniemy was the Chiefs running backs coach from 2013-2017 before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2018; the role he holds heading into the 2021 season.
Last season, the Chiefs finished first in the NFL with 6,653 total yards.
They ranked first in passing (4,854 yards) and 16th in rushing (1,799 yards) while their 473 overall points ranked sixth in the NFL.
Of course, having an All-World quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and weapons such as Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will be a boon for the offense.
But it’s not like Bieniemy is just sitting around watching.
Bieniemy has proven he can coach up one of the best offenses in the league.
If the Chiefs continue their winning ways, it would be hard to not see Bieniemy as a head coach next season.
1. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers DC
Many remember Todd Bowles from his failed stint as head coach of the Jets from 2015-2018.
New York went 24-40 and missed the playoffs all four seasons.
However, Bowles has completely revamped his potential in his current two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Of course, Tampa Bay were the Super Bowl champions last season, defeating Kansas City 31-9.
Overall, in 2020, the Bucs finished sixth in the NFL allowing 5,234 total yards.
The team’s run defense ranked best in the league as Tampa allowed just 1,289 yards on the ground.
The Buccaneers’ 355 points against put them eighth-best in the NFL.
Tampa Bay clearly saw Bowles’ improvement, as they made him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the league.
Buccaneers are giving Todd Bowles a new three-year contract that continues to make him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive coordinator, per source. He did have one year left on his deal, but this contract replaces that, and doesn’t preclude him from taking another head coaching job.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2021
Adam Schefter’s report also says that the new deal will allow Bowles to still look at potential head coaching roles in the future.
Last offseason, he interviewed for the head coaching job with the Eagles, Falcons, and Lions.
Bowles’ tenure with the Jets has likely left a sour taste in a lot of team’s mouths as they consider him for the head role.
But if Tampa Bay’s defense continues to shine in 2021, it might be time for Bowles to get another shot as a head coach in the NFL.
NEXT: Saints Offense Needs Michael Thomas To Succeed In 2021