Nearly instantly after describing his staff’s play as “gentle” following its sixth straight loss Oct. 20, New England Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo discovered a lesson concerning the impression of a head coach’s phrases.
Former Patriots coach Invoice Belichick was considered one of many former coaches and gamers who pushed again on Mayo utilizing that adjective.
“I am type of damage for these guys,” Belichick stated on “The Pat McAfee Present.” “They are not gentle.”
However after beating the New York Jets on Sunday, a number of Patriots gamers stated they did not take Mayo’s description as a private insult, however moderately, they it as a problem.
Maybe it was a part of a studying course of for Mayo, considered one of 4 whose first recreation as an NFL head coach was Week 1 of this season. Robust classes even have come on the sector because the Tennessee Titans’ Brian Callahan (1-6), Carolina Panthers ‘ Dave Canales (1-7) and Mayo (2-6) are a mixed 4-19. The Seattle Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald is 4-4. That provides this group a .258 win share, which is on tempo to be the worst for first-time head coaches since 1990 (.250).
There are different coaches, such because the Los Angeles Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, Washington Commanders’ Dan Quinn and Atlanta Falcons’ Raheem Morris, who’re with new groups however have been head coaches beforehand. The Las Vegas Raiders’ Antonio Pierce had his interim tag eliminated after guiding the staff for 9 video games in 2023. And the New York Jets have an interim coach in Jeff Ulbrich.
However for coaches whose first recreation in cost was Week 1, this has been a difficult season, and historical past suggests it will not get simpler. For the reason that 1970 merger, 48 coaches had a .250 win share or worse of their first season as a head coach, and the typical variety of video games coached for that group is 50, or simply over three seasons.
That is a whole lot of strain on coaches who, within the case of this quartet, took over conditions as a result of their predecessors have been fired. Nevertheless it’s a problem all 4 understood after they pursued the job.
Corridor of Fame coaches, reminiscent of Invoice Walsh (8-24 his first two seasons) and Invoice Parcells (3-12 his first yr), have struggled of their early years, so there’s loads of time for the three struggling rookie head coaches to show issues round, both this season or subsequent.
Our NFL Nation reporters who cowl the 4 first-timers break down the explanations for optimism and concern.
Brian Callahan, Titans
Report: 1-6 (misplaced three straight)
Preseason over/below win prediction: 6.5
Level differential: minus-76 (second-worst within the NFL)
Previous to this season: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator 2019-2023
Greatest problem has been: Determining what to do at quarterback. The Titans employed Callahan to maximise second-year quarterback Will Levis’ potential, however the Titans should resolve if Levis is their franchise quarterback going ahead. Levis has been inactive the previous two weeks due to a proper shoulder harm.
“All the things about what we have been hoping to get out of the season was a extremely strong, concrete analysis of Will as a beginning quarterback,” Callahan stated.
Up to now, the outcomes have not been good. Levis is twenty ninth amongst 30 certified quarterbacks in QBR at 26.1. The Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson is thirtieth at 22.8.
Cause for optimism: This is not the primary time Callahan has been a part of a franchise that wanted to reverse fortunes by getting essentially the most out of the quarterback. Callahan’s expertise with the Bengals and Joe Burrow is one thing he is counting on now.
Cincinnati went from 2-14 in 2019 to a Tremendous Bowl look two years later, with the choice of Burrow at No. 1 general in 2020 an enormous step in that course of.
“Having gone by these experiences offers me the hope I can deal with it,” Callahan stated. “I’ve seen it earlier than, so I’ve a minimum of some roadmap to what which may appear like.”
Cause for concern: Frustration is beginning to boil over. After a 52-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, outdoors linebacker Arden Key stated: “We’re not ok for the protection to play nicely, the offense to play OK and the particular groups to play dangerous. Now we have to play complementary soccer.
“I inform the blokes, ‘That tape is your résumé.’ Now we have to proceed to place good issues on tape.”
In Callahan’s phrases: “We’re simply attempting to play higher soccer. That is my focus. … We combat, our staff performs laborious, however we have got to do issues quite a bit higher.
“Proper now, it isn’t a product that persons are excited to observe, and that is the way in which it’s. We have to do one thing about that.” — Turron Davenport
Dave Canales, Panthers
Report: 1-7
Preseason over/below win prediction: 4.5
Level differential: minus-147 (worst within the NFL)
Previous to this season: Offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, quarterbacks coach for Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and Seahawks assistant from 2010 to 2022
Greatest problem has been: Accidents. The Panthers have been skinny, notably on protection, to start out the season. Then they misplaced their greatest participant, defensive lineman Derrick Brown (knee), for the season within the opener. Then got here veteran inside linebacker Shaq Thompson (Achilles).
They have been with out as many as 5 defensive starters. Offensively, there was the benching of beginning QB Bryce Younger after an 0-2 begin. He returned as a starter in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos and was 24-of-37 for 224 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. With a 76.9 passer ranking, he might need proven enchancment, however he additionally has a protracted option to go.
Cause for optimism: Gamers getting wholesome. Exterior linebacker D.J. Wonnum needs to be prepared in a couple of weeks to play reverse Jadeveon Clowney and create much-needed QB strain. Rookie operating again Jonathon Brooks, who will add a dynamic aptitude to the offense, is also near returning. Then there’s Younger, who appears to have grown from time on the bench.
Cause for concern: The schedule will get harder the second half of the season with video games in opposition to the Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys and Buccaneers. However the largest concern must be the long run at quarterback, as a result of a seventh straight shedding season seems inevitable.
If Younger does not present he will be the franchise quarterback he was anticipated to be when drafted No. 1 in 2023, then the staff should begin over at crucial place.
In Canales’ phrases: “I simply know laborious instances create perseverance. Perseverance builds character. I go searching on the workers, I go searching at our guys, and I simply see a bunch of individuals simply going again to work and actually simply chasing these moments, these alternatives that we’ve got.
“For me to see that, it encourages me. I do know that we are going to come out stronger from this. And to see guys coming again [from injury]. So there’s a whole lot of good issues and optimistic issues taking place as nicely. Nevertheless it’s a problem to stability them each.” — David Newton
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks
Report: 4-4
Preseason over/below win prediction: 7.5
Level differential: minus-5
Previous to this season: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator 2022-2023
Greatest problem has been: Accidents on protection. Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), Seattle’s greatest edge defender, has performed in a single recreation and will not be again till late within the season. Security Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) and nickelback Artie Burns (toe) lately joined him on injured reserve. Defensive deal with Byron Murphy (hamstring), Seattle’s first-round decide, missed three video games, whereas cornerback Riq Woolen (ankle) and out of doors linebacker Boye Mafe (knee) every missed two.
Implementing a brand new scheme is difficult sufficient, and Seattle has needed to do it whereas being nowhere close to full power on protection.
Cause for optimism: The Seahawks’ commerce with Tennessee for Ernest Jones IV offers them a much-needed improve at inside linebacker. Jerome Baker’s poor play was among the many causes the Seahawks had allowed the fifth-most dashing yards per recreation. Jones is named a robust run defender, and he’ll add a bodily, attacking model of play that Seattle wasn’t getting from Baker.
Basic supervisor John Schneider made an earlier commerce with Jacksonville for Roy Robertson-Harris, which upgraded Seattle’s defensive position depth.
Cause for concern: The Seahawks are tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals atop the NFC West, however the 49ers have a head-to-head win, and the reigning NFC champions are a hurdle Seattle has but to clear.
The 49ers have received six straight matchups by a mixed rating of 184-96 after their 36-24 victory in Week 6, when Seattle benefitted from a missed name that possible price San Francisco a minimum of three factors. The 49ers did not have star operating again Christian McCaffrey in that recreation. They may have him again for the rematch in Week 11, however they’re going to be with out star receiver Brandon Aiyuk after his season-ending knee harm.
In Macdonald’s phrases: “We speak about stacking wins round right here, and whenever you’re occurring and off, backwards and forwards, it is irritating. You need to have the ability to construct on the great issues that we’re doing so we are able to get our program to the place we wish it to go.
“Once you take steps again like [in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills], it is very sobering, irritating. However that is the NFL. In the event you do not convey it and have your greatest in opposition to good groups, you are not going to win these video games. Our guys know that. As coaches we have got to organize our guys the very best we are able to. We have to name nice video games. This entire factor has to maintain coming collectively. Time is ticking as we are saying. We’re about midway by the season now. However you are taking a step again, I imply, proper within the thick of it within the division, and this recreation developing [against the Los Angeles Rams] goes to be an enormous one.” — Brady Henderson
Jerod Mayo, Patriots
Report: 2-6
Preseason over/below win prediction: 4.5
Level differential: minus-73
Previous to this season: Patriots linebackers coach 2019-2023; Patriots linebacker 2008-2015
Greatest problem has been: Seven completely different beginning offensive line configurations by the primary eight video games. The instability has been a results of accidents, ineffective play and missed personnel evaluations on free agent signings Chukwuma Okorafor (reserve/left squad) and Nick Leverett (launched).
Total, the Patriots entered the season figuring out they nonetheless had a big hole to shut in stocking the roster with starting-caliber expertise, and so shedding defensive deal with Christian Barmore (blood clots), inside linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pectoral muscle) and security Jabrill Peppers (commissioner exempt listing) augmented an already tenuous state of affairs.
Cause for optimism: Rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The No. 3 decide was elevated to the beginning position in Week 6 and has created a spark for an offense that had been averaging 119 passing yards per recreation and 12.4 factors per recreation by the primary 5 weeks of the season.
The 22-year-old Maye is evolving right into a management position for a staff that’s dedicated to growing youthful gamers and constructing for the long run — with him because the central piece.
Maye had a setback Sunday when he suffered a concussion within the first quarter. He is at present in concussion protocol.
Cause for concern: Regression. Since a 16-10 season-opening win on the Bengals, which was the most important Week 1 upset within the NFL since 2018, the Patriots had been on a downward trajectory, till Sunday’s win over the Jets.
Two key points have been the dearth of a operating recreation and the shortcoming to cease the run. Many inside the group anticipated rising pains for a first-year coach and younger roster, however self-inflicted wounds proceed to pile up and create a roadblock in reaching the specified weekly enchancment. They hope Sunday’s win is the beginning of a turnaround.
In his phrases: “You’ll be able to look across the league at what we’d name established coaches at this present time, however there was a time of their profession early on the place they in all probability have been getting killed, too.
“I take into consideration [Detroit Lions coach] Dan Campbell. I take into consideration [San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle] Shanahan. I take into consideration all these guys that needed to climate the storm, and that is what we’ll do. It begins with me. I will climate the storm. … I ignore the noise, and my accountability is to place a successful staff collectively — not just for now, but additionally sooner or later.” — Mike Reiss
