The sun has set on another NFL season, and with the end of the year comes exit interviews for each team out of the playoffs. It’ll be difficult to find a glimmer of hope from some of these non-playoff teams, but we’ll give it the ol’ college try.
Carolina Panthers (2-15)
At least you have the #1 pick…oh wait, you used that to get Bryce Young. In his defense, this year was such a dumpster fire, it shouldn’t be held against him. Do I think he’s undersized and had a ton of talent around him that made him look incredible at Alabama? Yes. However, he went from having everything at Alabama to a bare cupboard in Carolina. When you main target is 33 year old Adam Thielen, you’re in trouble. I’m going to be honest, it’s almost impossible to find something nice to say about the Panthers. They have no first round pick and 0 talent to flip to receive a first round pick. It’s going to be a slow rebuild in Carolina. I’d say go make a splash hire, but realistically, who wants this job?
Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
Call me crazy, I like Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have more holes on their roster than just the QB. Kyler looked decent since taking back over considering he was coming off an ACL and his top target was a tight end. They’ll need to add more weapons, but it’s not like the Cardinals have 0 talent on offense. Their defense needs more help this offseason while looking for another weapon, but it’s not crazy to say the Cards could be a darkhorse in the NFC next year.
Washington Commanders (4-13)
New coach, new quarterback, maybe a new name on the horizon for Washington? Whether the Bears trade out of the first pick or take Caleb Williams, the Commanders will have a new QB/coach combo heading into next year. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer between Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, so if I’m a Washington fan, I’m excited as long as the powers that be make the right hire. Ben Johnson from the Lions could be an interesting fit, but it’s a little concerning his guys didn’t like him enough to be a top 5 nominated coordinator according to the NFLPA. I think he still deserves a shot, but Jedd Fisch from the University of Arizona feels like he’s kicking the tires on the NFL as well and could provide the offensive juice the new QB will need.
New York (Football) Giants (6-11)
I don’t hold this season against Brian Daboll. He had the Italian Stallion known as Tommy Devito and Tyrod Taylor throwing 2/3rd of the passes this season. The unfortunate reality is Daniel Jones looked like the shittiest of the 3 quarterbacks to take snaps this season, and they’re committed to him for 1 more year. If I’m Daboll, I’m pounding the table for Michael Pennix. He’s on the short list of coaches who can succeed with Pennix in the NFL, but they have so many holes on the offensive side of the ball. I think Rome Odunze should still be on the board for them at 6, and maybe Pennix slides to the second round, otherwise Daniel Jones might have to be the guy in a make or break year for last year’s coach of the year.
Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
The good news is there is a ton of talent on this roster and a below average quarterback could make this team a playoff team. The bad news is the quarterback situation is a disaster and there won’t be a franchise guy on the board at pick 8. Maybe the Falcons go out and get Ryan Tannehill to be a stop gap quarterback until they find the long term answer? That would allow the Falcons to focus on their pass rush/secondary in the draft. Arthur Smith might be gone by the time this blog comes out, but I might be one of the few people in the world who thinks he deserves one more year.
Chicago Bears (7-10)
Listen to me, Bears. You are in a unique situation where you can trade out of the first overall pick again, and who knows, maybe you’ll get another first overall pick again next year you can trade away. Get rid of Matt Dweeberflus immediately and bring in Ben Johnson, Jim Harbaugh, Ryan Day, whoever who will actually improve Justin Fields because this regime is doing him a disservice. Ryan Poles has done a decent job building this roster, but they desperately need an offensive mind to come in and fix this franchise. Credit to Eberflus for turning around the defense amid a dumpster fire of a season, but he’s gotta go.
Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Similar to the Bengals, I have more faith in Kevin O’Connell after this year. Between a Bengals overtime game, a two point loss to the Bears (where Josh Dobbs threw 4 picks), and a 1 point loss to the Broncos, the Vikings were 6 points away from being 10-7 and making the playoffs. You could argue that’s them regressing toward the mean after last year where they won 11-1 score games, but they were this close without a starting QB. If I’m a Vikings fan, I’m telling myself what could’ve been if Kirk Cousins stays healthy.
New Orleans Saints (9-8)
In a season where nobody wanted to win the NFC South, Dennis Allen made sure to keep the Saints out of the playoffs. He stinks, but the Saints will probably bring him back to go 9-8 again next year. Derek Carr clearly isn’t the long term answer, but they’re stuck in a spot where they’re too good to rebuild, but too bad to do anything in the playoffs.
Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
Similar to the Saints except your coach is good. The Seahawks are too good to rebuild. They don’t have the draft capital to get a quarterback, but they’re stuck in a mediocrity timeloop until they press the reset button. Maybe Sean Payton can trade Russell Wilson back to Seattle for some of Pete Carroll’s juicy fruit? A man can dream.
The NFC is wide open, so if your team is toward the bottom of this list (unless you’re the Saints) you have reason for optimism. Even if I’m a Washington fan, the thought of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye should excite you.
The Morning Flush 