With the NFL season fast approaching, more than a few coaches and players are on the hot seat. Chief among them is Coach Sean Payton, who carries the burden of expectation for what his team should be capable of. His leadership will be crucial as the season unfolds, and his ability to adjust will be pushed to the limits.
Coach Payton’s pressures are playing out at a unique juncture in league history as many of the game’s major power players have experienced lofty expectations. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings arguably enters the most pivotal and high-stakes stretch for him to validate his capabilities in between those lines. A few defensive coordinators and offensive coaches are sweating as the teams go in different directions getting ready for the long haul.
Coaching Challenges
Yet even with the return of Coach Sean Payton, universally praised for his wisdom and know-how, Coach Sean Payton feels the heat in advance of the new season. After a disappointing last campaign, there are big expectations for him to produce some big wins. But if he can’t lead his team well, success is not in the cards for them. It will further define his legacy within the organization going forward.
Payton isn’t the only coach facing these perils though, as Coach Matt LaFleur knows all too well. With just one year remaining on his current contract, he needs to prove that he’s the right leader that can take his team to the promised land. Recently named head-of-football-operations/future-team-president Ed Policy offers another new voice and different energy, though this only makes LaFleur’s predicament more precarious. How LaFleur and Policy develop that new relationship will be important both as they head down this mutually beneficial path and beyond.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is the other key under fire. With the responsibility of shaping the team’s defense, he faces expectations to improve their performance significantly. No one should be more aware of this than Eberflus himself, as he battles to remain employed by the organization. Criticism from both the fanbase and the analytics communities is hot on his heels.
Player Pressure Points
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is another guy to watch as a player who should be under a lot of pressure this season. Expectations for offensive production are sky high as well. Jennings needs to step up and show he can consistently be a go-to option for his QB. The entire team will continue to evaluate how well he’s performing on the field. For his part, he’s simply looking to cement his place on the roster.
Linebacker Haason Reddick is another player feeling the squeeze to produce. As a key defensive player, Reddick’s performance will heavily influence the team’s success. Fans and management alike will have a short leash on him. They’re cautiously optimistic and hoping to see him come in and be an immediate impact player at the very least.
In many ways, it’s just as hostile on the offensive side, especially for offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Charged with crafting the most fruitful game plan, these are the kinds of decisions that will be closely monitored and debated. His willingness and ability to evolve and create new things will be a key factor in how successful the team can be over the course of a long season.
High Stakes for Coordinators
In all of these situations, coaches aren’t the only ones feeling the heat. It’s not just head coaches—many offensive and defensive coordinators nosedive into the danger zone. Coach Zac Taylor is feeling the heat this season. He just barely beats out de facto general manager Duke Tobin for that honor. Taylor’s skill at hearing team needs while winning support from management will be essential to help lead through this daunting fiscal landscape.
Similarly, Coach Kevin Patullo faces high expectations. Like Collins, Lee is still building out a unified vision for his new team. Any mistakes can more than likely prove fatal to his career. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Patullo needs to show that he is up to and worthy of the heavy burden of responsibility on his shoulders.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is next in line to feel heat up if he doesn’t produce wins on the grass. Focusing on getting better defensive assignments is great, but Bowen needs to find ways to scheme that puts opposing offense at a disadvantage. His success or failure might well dictate how the organization plans long-term.
Finally, Steve Wilks is in the same boat as Bowen. Charged with constructing one of the league’s most menacing defenses, Wilks is under the microscope from every angle. His predictably deep knowledge of human behavior will be called upon to get results and keep the team engaged as the long season wears on.
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