The place does the Commanders’ offensive coordinator opening rank?
Somebody is all the time responsible when a workforce’s season doesn’t go as anticipated. For followers, a lot of the blame goes to the offensive coordinator — proper or improper.
The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner after the 2022 season. Turner’s firing was justified by Washington’s offensive efficiency late within the season. Nevertheless, not every part was Turner’s fault. It wasn’t Turner’s fault Washington didn’t adequately tackle the quarterback place, nor was it his fault that head coach Ron Rivera didn’t improve the offensive line after buying and selling for quarterback Carson Wentz.
Turner wasn’t innocent, although. His play-calling was a serious cause Washington misplaced to the New York Giants in that crucial Week 15 sport.
No matter who you blame, the Commanders nonetheless want an offensive coordinator. Final week, Washington interviewed Pat Shurmur, Ken Zampese and Charles London. This week, the Commanders plan to interview Eric Studesville and Thomas Brown, amongst different candidates.
The issue for Washington is seven different groups want an offensive coordinator. This isn’t counting the groups with head-coaching vacancies. How does the Commanders’ offensive coordinator opening stack up in opposition to the opposite openings?
Mike Jones of The Athletic recently ranked each of the current eight openings. The opposite groups on the lookout for an offensive coordinator are the Jets, Buccaneers, Patriots, Rams, Titans, Ravens and Chargers. The very first thing you have a look at when analyzing that checklist is who has a franchise quarterback.
The Chargers [Justin Herbert] and Ravens [Lamar Jackson] do. After all, there may be some uncertainty concerning Jackson’s future with Baltimore. The Rams are an attractive choice since you’d work for Sean McVay however seemingly wouldn’t name performs.
The place is Washington ranked?
Jones has the Commanders ranked No. 5 behind the Chargers, Rams, Buccaneers and Ravens.
If we’re simply going off personnel, then this can be a fairly intriguing job. The offensive coordinator inherits three proficient wideouts (Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson), a strong tight finish in Logan Thomas and a promising operating again in Brian Robinson Jr. Regardless of instability at quarterback, Washington nonetheless flirted with a playoff berth. However, the uncertainty engulfing the franchise makes this job much less engaging. There are questions in regards to the subsequent quarterback. Is it Sam Howell or a longtime veteran at present on one other roster? Ron Rivera is getting into Yr 4, however with a sale anticipated quickly, there’s no telling if the following offensive coordinator is signing up for a one-and-done job. A brand new proprietor may presumably clear home if a 2023 marketing campaign proves unsatisfactory.
Every little thing Jones stated is true and one thing we’ve been saying for weeks. The uncertainty of Rivera’s future, as a result of pending sale and his must win in 2023, will flip off some candidates.
With one other week of interviews set for this week, it will likely be fascinating to see what sort of coordinator Rivera ultimately chooses. Will he select somebody he’s snug with [Shurmur], or go exterior the field with a younger candidate like Brown?
No matter resolution Rivera makes, it’s a crucial rent for the Commanders heading right into a make-or-break season for the present teaching workers.