Coaches on the hot seat?
Not every team with high aspirations leading up to a season always performs as expected. Like not all organizations that are presumed to be inadequate early on will finish the season near the bottom. Its what makes the NFL entertaining. It doesn’t matter the year; there will always be surprises on both sides of the success column. Which head coaches could find themselves without a job this offseason?
New York Jets head coach Adam Gase
Earlier this season, Jets owner Christopher Johnson made it clear he would be patient with head coach Adam Gase. Given the team’s injury-riddled roster and it being Gase’s first season in New York, one would think that’s a reasonable stance to take. NFL front offices understand more than the Twitter universe, but why does it seem that they can’t see that Gase is not the answer at head coach?
New York had every opportunity to see what Gase was before bringing him aboard this past offseason. He was the head coach of their divisional opponent for the past couple seasons, so they kept a close eye on him. That wasn’t enough?
Darnold and the Jets offense finished the 2018 season showing promise of a bright future. It’s not hard for anyone to pinpoint the problem in New York. Since hiring Gase, the Jets have been unable to move the ball on offense consistently. It might be the most boring offense in the NFL. Even missing Thanksgiving with his family to prepare for a game, Gase and the Jets were dominated by the Cincinnati Bengals, who were winless at the time.
Since leaving Miami, numerous players who played under Gase have gone on to have breakout seasons. Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill was traded to the Titans this offseason and is having his best season. Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker has finally showcased his talent and signed a $40 million extension.
Whether or not the team will see Gase for what he is, a mediocre one, or not remains to be the question regarding the organization. Darnold has regressed more than he has moved forward in his development in 2019. Will they waste more time and likely risk their young quarterbacks future by keeping Gase?
Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens
Much like the Jets, the Cleveland Browns have made statements about keeping Kitchens despite the performance of the team this season. On Sunday, the Browns displayed why Kitchens has been a poor hire again as they were dominated by the Arizona Cardinals—embarrassed by a team that had lost their last six games.
Cleveland has been an utter disaster this season, and most of it comes back to the head coach. The team’s hallmarks have been a lack of effort, zero discipline leading to countless penalties and drama off the field, sloppy play, and poor play calling.
Kitchens wasn’t the mastermind that set Baker Mayfield free to show high potential at the end of 2018. Otherwise, we would see some of that success in 2019. General manager John Dorsey supplied this team with talent that you only find on Madden franchise mode. Yet players like wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continues to look like a second receiver for most teams this season. Now, there are reports of Beckham telling teams to get him out of Cleveland.
Looking at this Browns roster, it’s clear that immaturity is a problem. Without someone in charge to keep everyone on track, the coach might be more immature than his players, the same players that are throwing teammates and medical staff under the bus to the media. Kitchens seems to be more interested in being buddies with them than their leader.