The Buffalo Bills recently explored 20 candidates for their head coach position. However, they couldn’t meet with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak because he was still in the race for the Super Bowl, and the Bills had missed the chance to interview him virtually during the bye week.
General Manager Brandon Beane shed light on this decision at Joe Brady’s introductory press conference. He explained that the timing of their coaching search left them unable to discuss potential candidates still in the postseason. “We couldn’t even Zoom anyone on the remaining teams,” Beane noted. “I think it would be unfair to wait any longer. We need our guy.”
Three years ago, the Arizona Cardinals faced a similar dilemma when they interviewed Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon during the Super Bowl bye week. They were later penalized for it. To avoid that, the Bills chose to focus on candidates whose teams had already wrapped up their seasons.
Beane expressed his frustration with the coaching hiring rules. “This timeline isn’t just hard for teams; it also affects candidates trying to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “They get distracted by the chance to be a head coach at a crucial moment.”
This scenario shines a light on a broader issue within the NFL’s hiring practices. In recent years, many teams have called for a change to these rules. A 2022 survey found that around 67% of team executives believe adjusting the hiring timeline would lead to fairer opportunities for coaches and teams alike.
Ultimately, navigating the coaching carousel can be tricky for everyone involved. As the landscape continues to evolve, it raises questions about fairness and strategy for future hiring processes. In this cycle, the Bills managed to find the right fit in Joe Brady, but the disconnect in timing remains an ongoing challenge for many teams.
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