The Green Bay Packers coaching search has seen New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels emerge as the top favorite. It would make sense that McDaniels would be a top betting favorite as regardless of what anyone says Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have influence over the pick and he certainly wants a coach like McDaniels that can relate to a top tier quarterback. Having done so with Tom Brady in New England, and with great results, McDaniels would seem a natural partner for Rodgers. But McDaniels has other potential opportunities and is among the favorites to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Packers President Mark Murphy has promised to do a thorough search. The other favorites such as current interim coach Joe Philbin, and Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur have offensive backgrounds.
Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers for Week 1 of the 2019-2020 Regular Season
(Odds at Bookmaker.eu as of 1-6-19)
Josh McDaniels +200
Jim Caldwell +1264
Pat Fitzgerald +2554
Joe Philbin +352
Matt LaFleur +604
Chuck Pagano +1629
Pete Carmichael +2035
Field +250
Dan Campbell +1009
Brian Flores +1213
Mike Munchak +1828
The Case for Josh McDaniels
While McDaniels is the prohibitive favorite to emerge as Green Bay head coach he is also the top betting choice for head jobs with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Yet Green Bay would be the likely front runner starting with the fact that Rodgers comes with the package. Beyond that the Packers are a legacy franchise that have a history and prestige that neither Miami or Arizona can match. Packers President Mark Murphy has stressed he wants a good fit within the organization. That is where the riddle is with McDaniels. When he was head coach of the Denver Broncos McDaniels was not only immature and ill-prepared but a poor fit after serving with Bill Belichick in New England. McDaniels is now 42 years old, still quite young for an NFL head coach, but has done much to remake his image and reputation. The ace card is his work with Tom Brady. This would make him an easy sell to work with Rodgers.
Joe Philbin an Overlay?
Joe Philbin is the second choice at quite a high price that doesn’t offer much in the way of value. Philbin was in his second tour of duty as Green Bay offensive coordinator when he was tasked with replacing Mike McCarthy as head coach of the Pack for the final four games of the season. Green Bay split those four games but the season finale was a 31-0 stink bomb home loss to the Detroit Lions that could not have helped his campaign to become the permanent head man. Beyond that Philbin flopped in his only previous head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins and failed to develop quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Regardless of what is said Philbin is a long shot to get the full-time gig.
LaFleur’s Mixed Record
Last year Matt LaFleur was one of the hottest coordinators in the NFL based on his strong work as offensive coordinator of the Los Angels Rams which included working with their phenom quarterback Jared Goff. But this year in that same capacity with the Tennessee Titans LaFleur’s body of work was not nearly as impressive. LaFleur’s offense ranked 25th overall in the NFL with the passing game ranked a dismal 29th. Beyond that Marcos Mariota did not breakout as a game changing quarterback under LaFleur, which is what he was hired in part to fix.
Outlook
McDaniels simply has to convince Murphy that he will fit in with Green Bay. The Packers and Titletown are a far different culture than what McDaniels is used to with the Patriots. Don’t be surprised if the field emerges as a solid pick if McDaniels comes off as too “Patriotic” to lead the Pack.
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