TheGoodBits

Not comparing any candidates, just noting a preference not to disqualify people solely based on having previous head coaching experience. Reid might not be the best example given his long tenure at the Eagles, but across the league there is absolutely a trend to hire young, up and coming coaches, and if you commit to only doing that you could miss on someone experienced and good.

Agree with all of this. People are really quick to dismiss “retreads”, candidates who have had head coaching opportunities in the past and failed. But there is a ton that has to go right for an organization to the successful longterm, and people who have been elevated to the role and experienced it not working absolutely have a better appreciation of what is needed than those getting their first opportunity. That’s really valuable experience imo. As much as everyone wants to find a Mcvay, maybe an Andy Reid ends up being the right answer.

IMO the age isn’t a huge deal, you just have to understand going in that he's not getting a second contract (which honestly is probably a good philosophy for RBs in general). There’s a lot of RB talent available around round 3 and there’s an argument to be made that you should draft one in that range every 2-3yr, just letting the others walk at the end of their rookie deals.

Honestly really nervous Chicago has the same read on Caleb and goes with Maye.

I think it's some combination of Scot being the cult hero and getting all the credit for their success, plus the fact that he was a raging alcoholic and gave himself ample opportunity to be fired. He hasn't been hired by anyone since then.

I don’t see Vrabel making it out of this cycle without a HC job. Unless he decides he doesn’t want one with the teams that have openings. Seattle is a logical spot for Quinn but Vrabel would be a good fit there too.

I will be so furious if he ends up in Dallas but honestly that seems like a good fit if they exit early and they move on from McCarthy.

I kind of like Vrabel and Carroll being out because the Seahawks and Patriots are viewed as pretty stable, well run franchises, and therefore legitimate competition for any top coaches. That there seem to be really logical reunion destinations for Quinn and Vrabel (if Belichick steps down) could open us up for landing our pick from the next wave of options like Johnson. Also Quinn departing Dallas could help us a lot.

Caleb Williams falling to 2 would make me so insanely nervous. Which is guess is why Maye is in the convo for #1.

I'm 99% sure McCarthy is a first rounder and due to positional value could end up in the top 10. So the trade back scenario would concern me a bit if they were targeting him. Ton of QB needy teams in the top 10 and some just outside it that could move up. But that trade back scenario could end up netting some really premium picks. It's a supply/demand game so if there are multiple teams interested in moving up and Chicago is sitting tight, the #2 pick will be a huge premium. If we moved back to 3 or 4 (Zona or NE) we could end up with MHJ and maybe one or two extra 2s (depending on demand). Assuming we won't trade with the Giants, the Titans at 7 would be the next partner I would look at. I think moving back from 2 to 7 would net a decent haul including a future 1, which could end up being a high 1 next year with TN firing Vrabel. But the new coaching staff might be looking to make a move for a QB so that's a real possibility. At 7 you might be in the range for McCarthy but it would absolutely not surprise me if he's the 4th QB off the board and goes to NYG at 6 (or honestly, NE at 4 would not surprise me at all either, taking him over Daniels). You get similar results trading down to 8 (Atlanta), or 10-13 (Jets, Vikings, Broncos, Raiders) but the further you move down the less likely it is McCarthy is still there. I feel like Atlanta moving up has a good enough team that an offensive head coach plus the #2 pick could end up with them having a good season, so that future 1st wouldn't be as valuable. Jets likely won't move up with Rodgers under contract next year. Titans would be my preferred partner outside the top 5. I'm not sure Drake Maye solves their issues this offseason, and they could be heading for a top 5 pick next year. edited to add: Chargers would be a sneaky trade partner at 5. I doubt they do it but I could see them moving up to 2 to give Herbert a legit weapon in MHJ and absolutely blowing up people's draft boards in the process.

Players appreciate playing for him https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/04/detroit-lions-aaron-glenn-top-defensive-coordinator-nflpa-survey-dave-fipp/72108583007/

Watching Josh Allen hit those 20-30 yard downfield throws right on the sidelines last night on their last TD drive.. man. Having a QB with the ability to hit those throws really opens up what an OC can do. And you definitely see some of that with Maye.

That injury timeout was absolutely killer. Fully expect the Texans to score on this drive.

This is where I am on this. Otherwise you’ll see retribution from Republican state officials too. “Insurrection” could mean anything if a Secretary of State can unilaterally remove a candidate from a ballot. Border crisis? Insurrection! Covid lockdowns? Insurrection! There needs to be an actual legal process associated with this.

Highly doubt it BUT I’ve had Madden fantasies of my team doing something like this. It makes most sense if you gamble that your trade partner will fail to be competitive in future years, therefore your acquired future picks will be high. See: Bears/Panthers trade last year. If Harris is really trying to implement “the process” here and setting the team up to be competitive no sooner than 2-3 years from now, figuring out a way to earn multiple top 5 or top 10 picks in 2025-26 drafts would be a great way to do it.

Also that Howell’s best games were early in the season before teams had enough film on the offense to really start to understand the predictability.

And from a QB development standpoint, absolutely pour your resources into the offense first. Defense can wait til the team is ready to compete.

Dallas 42-Washington 13 Both teams win big.

Best move for the Bears would be trade down to about 3-4 and take Harrison, then take McCarthy with their second 1st if he's still there. Assuming that pick is outside the top 5, you can roll with Fields another year and see how he progresses before making a decision on the future. Regardless of who is at QB, an offense with DJ Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr would be nuts.

Spent the past week some digesting QB options and I do think this is a really intriguing class. It's a REALLY good time to be picking in the top 5. Some kneejerk amateur takes: -Williams makes some of the most stunning plays I've ever seen. He's also has a tremendous amount he needs to clean up in the NFL. He needs to be more careful with the ball (in the pocket, running, etc), and learn how to work within a system so he can take his singles and doubles and be more selective about when to take shots. Elite traits: arm strength, creativity, elusiveness. NFL high end comp: some blend between Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes. Low end: stronger arm Kyler Murray. -Maye has the best pure arm talent to make high level NFL throws. He's also a great playmaker and athlete, and most other class would be a hands down #1 overall imo. NFL comp: Justin Herbert, little bit of Stafford's arm imo -Daniels is one hell of a runner and throws a nice deep ball but makes me nervous. I can't think of a good NFL comp that's had a successful career. People point to Lamar but he's not anywhere near the passer Lamar was in college. He's also a bit older. As intriguing as he looks on the highlight reel, I'd be hesitant to take him in the top 10. NFL comp: RG3 -JJ McCarthy is being significantly overlooked. While he lacks the highest upside of Williams and Maye, his work out of the pocket, and his instincts escaping the pocket, look the cleanest out of the bunch. He's a day 1 starter. Doesn't have quite the top 5 QB upside that Maye does, but I can absolutely see him having the most successful career out of this class. NFL comp: Kirk Cousins but better physical traits. Maye's my guy at 2-3 (even if it involves trading up a spot or two). But I would not feel bad at all about landing McCarthy, who I think will go way earlier than the media is currently projecting.

imo in that scenario we’d probably see both of the top two picks traded. Cards would move down to maybe 3 and hope for Harrison. Bears could either take Harrison at 2 or look to move back and acquire more picks.

They had no business winning the Cards or Broncos game either for that matter.

The personality stuff is especially concerning to me because he's absolutely not a finished product at QB. He's a phenomenal improviser with off schedule plays, but his work out of the pocket could use of a ton of improvement. The college game being slow/easy for him has led to a bunch of bad habits with footwork, being careless with the football, throwing off his back foot, etc. All of which can be coached out of him, if he wants to be coached.

Try to get that top 2-4 pick this year and trade back with an emphasis on future picks. Trade Terry and Allen, intentionally hold off on signing any meaningful FAs this offseason, roll with Sam again next season. We are (thankfully) in year 1 of a needed 2 year nosedive, followed by a 2-3 year rebuild after that. Anytime after this offseason that you have a great opportunity to do so, you can go get your QB. But I want us picking number 1 next year.

As much as the allure of drafting a top 5 QB is interesting, I don't think it's what will pay off most of the team longterm. A multiyear rebuild after a painful multiyear deconstruction of the roster is what will pay off the most. We're going to get worse before we get better.