/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65095656/1087975972.jpg.0.jpg)
If the Broncos’ offense makes a jump, how long will Rich Scangarello last as offensive coordinator? It may seem crazy between the third and fourth preseason games of the year, but I started thinking about it after this NFL.com article yesterday.
A couple disclaimers before I wildly speculate here. It is very, very early to say Rich Scangarello will draw interviews for head coaching jobs next spring. Obviously.
I’m still going to do it.
Again, this is a really big leap. I’ll be the first to admit that. It’s also hard to ignore the fact that: Fifteen NFL teams enter this fall with a different offensive play-caller than the one who held that role at the beginning of last season. Nearly half of the league has experienced turnover as franchises try to replicate the magic that Sean McVay has conjured with the Rams.
Before you argue that Scangarello doesn’t have the background for it, keep in mind that Freddie Kitchens was a new running backs coach this time a year ago. Zac Taylor’s play calling experience came in five weeks during the 2015 season. Matt LaFlauer got the Packers job after a year with the Titans where they did not make the playoffs.
It wouldn’t take a lot of things going right for Scangarello to draw interest. Offense is king in the modern NFL and the best way to insure a team’s offense maintains some degree of year to year stability is lock down a decent play caller for the long term. The surest way to do that is hire him for the top job.
It takes two to tango, obviously. So who could need a head coach this time next year, and how do things look as far as a prospective fit for Scangarello?
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Unless Doug Marrone takes advantage of something like a Luck-less AFC South, I fully expect the Jags to look for a new head coach in 2020. At least from this far out, the team does seem like a weird fit for Scangarello: Foles is already in place and the offense is built for a gap running game.
Stranger things have happened, but I don’t think he’s a great fit for them.
7. Carolina Panthers
Another weird fit on a team that’s likely looking for a new coach next year. I like the Panthers chances in most divisions, but a lot has to break their way to contend in the NFC South. Let’s assume they’re on the market in 2020, here’s what makes some sense:
Young skill position players could be a decent fit.
Scangarello has said more than once how he’s looking to match running backs up on linebackers and he’d have Christian McCaffrey.
Cam Newton’s health makes the long term outlook at QB murky.
6. Detroit Lions
Motown feels like a strange fit right now because they’re in the middle of the Patricia-ate Way. But if they miss the playoffs in a tough NFC North, heads are going to roll.
After flubbing on a defensive coach there’s a pretty good chance the Fords will veer hard left to go after a young up and coming offensive guy. They’re a reactive ownership group chasing the trends.
5. Houston Texans
Bill O’Brien’s going to either win a small stake of ownership after he makes the playoffs or hit the road when Watson’s ground into dust.
I’m not even sure I’m kidding.
The team is a giant wildcard because there’s no GM in place. The roster is a decent fit though.
There’s a young superstar QB who Scangarello can push to improve.
An offensive line devoid of talent that won’t cost an arm and leg to reshape.
Defensive talent in place that could excel in the short term under a strong play caller.
4. Washington
It’d be a very Snyder thing to hire Kyle Shanahan’s disciple after running Shanny out of town and losing Sean McVay. It also makes some sense if Scangarello can prove how he’d be able to help Dwayne Haskins’ reach his ceiling.
If you read my QB Big Board back before the draft, I was a bit skeptical of the fit, which is why this isn’t higher. Then again, Snyder hardly follows logic, so consider the tire fire franchise a dark horse.
3. Minnesota Vikings
This one seems far fetched at first glance, but hear me out:
Tough division and Super Bowl hopes means the seat is moderately warm.
Mike Zimmer is a defensive guy, so you have the rubber band effect.
If the team fails while Cousins and the offense looks decent running the Kubiak system, perhaps ownership wants to keep some semblance of that in place. Scangarello’s offense is a branch off that tree, and Cousins worked under Kyle Shanahan previously in Washington.
2. Dallas Cowboys
There’s a number of reasons Dallas looks like a good fit to me. Jerry’s patience will probably run short if the Cowboys regress this year, and if you read my Preseason Power Rankings, there are signs they could.
If Jason Garret’s out after Zeke, Dak, Amari and the gang re-up for big money? Jerry’s going to want to sell his offense, which will help put butts in seats. The next exciting offensive coordinator does that far more than a defensive coach could.
1. Atlanta Falcons
This has got to be the most logical fit for Scangarello if the job opens up. Consider:
Atlanta still runs a similar system to the Kyle Shanahan one.
There’s been unrest over how that system has worked since Shanny left for San Francisco.
The core offensive pieces are in a “win now” mode.
Rubber band from defensive coach to offensive.
It makes too much sense. There’s also a pretty good chance Dan Quinn is out if the Falcon’s aren’t playoff bound this January. They just fired all of the coordinators, so there’s nowhere to point the finger anymore. Super Bowl LI is sliding farther and farther into the rearview. The window is now, and turning over the offense or moving from system to system isn’t going to help the dirty birds capitalize.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned to start this, it’s all speculation. Hopefully Scangarello’s in orange and blue for a good long while leading the offense back to a respectability not seen since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset.
But if Flacco rediscovers his 2014 form this year, Rich could get sniffs from around the league.
Poll
Who would hire Rich Scangarello?
This poll is closed
-
3%
Carolina
-
3%
Detroit
-
6%
Houston
-
10%
Washington
-
4%
Minnesota
-
13%
Dallas
-
39%
Atlanta
-
18%
Other (please comment)
Your Broncos News
Broncos starters not expected to play in 3rd preseason game this Saturday. - Mile High Report
Coach Fangio opting for the safer route in the typical “dress rehearsal” game.
Broncos vs Rams preseason game: Denver’s special teams need to show up - Mile High Report
In the penultimate preseason game, the special teams need to show up, and, please, no more injuries.
Denver Broncos news: Repeat after me, “It is just the preseason” - Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos have a big hill to climb to get back to respectability after back-to-back awful seasons. Let’s try to keep perspective with what these games are and what they are for.
Drew Lock injury: Rookie QB has bad hand sprain; will miss some time - Mile High Report
The Broncos rookie quarterback’s preseason is probably over. Drew Lock has a bad hand sprain suffered during the 49ers game.
DeMarcus Walker can prove he belongs with the Broncos and NFL this year - SBNation.com
The defensive end flashed as a rookie but looked lost last year. The new coaching staff in Denver could be just what he needs to get back on track.
Denver Broncos Orange Rush steals the show against San Francisco 49ers - Mile High Report
There’s a lot to like about the Denver Broncos first-team defensive performance against the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason.
Podcast: Emmanuel Sanders is key to the Denver Broncos offense - Mile High Report
The group just made Jimmy Garoppolo look like a fool in his return from injury and it could be just the start of something special.
16 things we learned after the Denver Broncos defeat to the 49ers - Mile High Report
I broke down the film of the Denver Broncos’ third preseason game in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s what I learned.
Corner depth is one position where Broncos have some breathing room - Mile High Report
There are some depth concerns on this roster, no doubt, but corner is at least one position the Broncos have some talent waiting in the wings.
Broncos Audio Zone: What we learned from the days with the 49ers
Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards join Andrew Mason to reflect on what the Broncos took from two joint practices and the preseason game against San Francisco.
What you need to know about the three newest Broncos | Mile High Sports
On Wednesday, following their preseason defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, the Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves. Here’s what you need to know about those moves and the three newest Broncos.
Broncos’ QB2 battle, Cards’ CB questions, McCaffrey’s workload - NFL.com
“I think Rich has done a good job during his coaching career developing himself as a coach because when he came to a crossroads in his career, he made decisions on where to go and coach based on where he would become a better coach, rather than what’s the best job that people are looking at from a level standpoint.”
Broncos rookie QB Drew Lock could start year on IR – ProFootballTalk
“Obviously because it’s his throwing hand and a thumb, that’s a pretty serious injury for a quarterback,” Fangio said. “It will be some time before we know exactly where he’s at and how much time he would miss.”
NFL news, notes, information from every training camp | SI.com
Tight end is an important position in the offense new coordinator Rich Scangarello is bringing from San Francisco (see: Kittle, George), and the competition there has been interesting. First-round pick Noah Fant will, obviously, factor in. Austin Fort was having a great camp before he went down. Jeff Heuerman is now a more experienced hand there. Second-year pro Troy Fumagalli has shown potential. And now Jake Butt is coming back. So for an offense that has invested in its line, and has some receivers and backs, and added Joe Flacco, the belief is how the tight end situation sorts out could go a long way to seeing how far Scangarello can take the group.
NFL News
Jon Gruden: Winnipeg field was fine, ask Green Bay what the problem was – ProFootballTalk
Raiders coach Jon Gruden did not agree with the decision to play Thursday night’s game against the Packers on a makeshift 80-yard field after the NFL’s attempt to convert a larger Canadian Football League field into a regulation American field hit a snag.
Josh Rosen made “the decision harder” for Dolphins – ProFootballTalk
The Dolphins started Ryan Fitzpatrick on Thursday night and played the veteran into the third quarter, which did little to suggest that the perception he’s the favorite to start Week One was out of line.
Packers sit 33 players after field conditions become an issue – ProFootballTalk
The Packers announced they will sit 33 players tonight, including Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. The team didn’t say why, but the reason is obvious. The Packers were expected to play their starters, but that was before the field conditions in Winnipeg became an issue.
Patrick Chung: How a cocaine charge could impact the Patriots safety | SI.com
Patrick Chung was indicted for felony possession of cocaine, which could put a damper on his NFL career. But the Patriots safety could also have a strong case of his own.