Top Open Coaching Jobs in the NFL for 2022

Okay, I know there are more than seven openings, but as the Las Vegas Raiders are in the playoffs, perhaps their “interim” coach, doesn’t really count.

Special thanks to teamrankings.com and overthecap.com for their stats.

And away we go.

7. Houston Texans

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2021 Record: 4-14

Scoring offense points per game= 16.5, 30th ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game= 1.8, 30th ranked

Opponents yards per game= 384.4, 31st ranked

Opponents points per game= 26.6, 27th ranked

2022 cap space= $20,576,868

Currently has third pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

And so… If the Dictionary of Slang included pictures next to the term “dumpster fire” it would be a picture of the Houston Texans.

They fired their head coach after one year after he clearly exceeded expectations, with four wins.  Yes, he was fired for “philosophical differences”.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson was a healthy scratch for every game this year. Watson did not practice with the team and for that, he earned $10.54 million his base salary (I’d take that).

6. New York Giants

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2021 Record: 4-13

Scoring offense points per game= 15.2, 31st ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game= 1.4, 32nd ranked

Opponents yards per game= 354.8, 21st ranked

2022 cap space -$367,578.

Currently have picks five and seventh (from Chicago) in the 2022 NFL Draft.

And so… Let’s not even mention the quarterback sneak called in the last game of the season. Or even the head coach Joe Judge’s epic rants. 

It was the losing and of course, the questionable decision-making on and off the field. 

5. Denver Broncos

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2021 Record: 7-10

Scoring offense points per game=19.7, 23rd

Offensive touchdowns per game=2.2, 21st ranked

Opponents yards per game=326.1, 8th ranked

Opponents points per game=18.9, 3rd ranked

2022 cap space $47,848,030

2022 cap space $47,848,030

Currently have the ninth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft

And so… Vic Fangio was simply a dead man walking all season, his blame on his quarterbacks notwithstanding, this team was (is) not without talent. 

4. Miami Dolphins

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2021 Record: 7-10

Scoring offense points per game=20.1, 22nd ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game=2.3, 20th ranked

Opponents yards per game=337.5, 15th ranked

Opponents points per game=21.9, 16th ranked

2022 cap space $73,689,890 (first ranked)

Miami currently does not have a pick in the first 18 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft (they own the 49ers pick, which will be a late 1st)

And so…The surprise of the firing season (so far) goes to Miami for the release of their coach for “philosophical difference” (things that make you go hmm)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

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2021 Record: 3-14

Scoring offense points per game=14.9, 32nd ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game=1.6, 31st ranked

Opponents yards per game=353.1, 20th ranked

Opponents points per game=26.9, 28th ranked

2022 cap space $61,498,837

Own the 1.01 in the NFL Draft

And so…This might be a bit too high…but Urban Meyer is gone and that is worth at least a bump up. Is Trevor Lawrence the answer? Maybe with a decent coach, we will find out.

Then there is of course a decent salary cap and the Jaguars have the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

2. Chicago Bears

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2021 Record: 6-11

Scoring offense points per game=18.3, 27th ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game=1.9, 27th ranked

Opponents yards per game=316.7, 6th ranked

Opponents points per game=23.9, 22nd ranked

2022 cap space $39,472,053

The Bears currently have no picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

And so…Allen Robinson will most likely be gone next season.  But that leaves Justin Fields, Darnell Mooney and David Montgomery as a decent foundation. 

1. Minnesota Vikings

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2021 Record 8-9

Scoring offense points per game=25.0, 14th ranked

Offensive touchdowns per game=2.8, 16th ranked

Opponents yards per game=383.6, 30th ranked

Opponents points per game=25.1, 24th ranked

2022 cap space -$10,781,938

Minnesota currently has the 12th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

And so…why with the looming Kirk Cousins contract and the negative salary cap are they number one? Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and the very real possibility of Aaron Rodgers departing the division. 

This could all change depending on the pick of the coaches.  But right now would you want a piece of the Texans or the Giants?

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