With yet another NFL season in the books, it is time for the annual “Black Monday.” As Black Monday is the first day when teams can dismiss coaches, general managers, and other staff executives, it starts the process of the so-called “coaches carousel.” Long awaited for some fans and dreaded by others who can’t bear to lose their coordinators, the carousel is a reminder that teams must adapt or fall behind in the NFL. With that being said, here’s what I love, like, and lament about some major hirings and firings around the league this year in 50 words or less. 

Atlanta Falcons hire Head Coach (HC) Raheem Morris, Offensive Coordinator (OC) Zac Robinson, and Defensive Coordinator (DC) Jimmy Lake.

Love: For a team that’s invested so much draft capital into offensive weapons such as Bijan Robinson (2023), Drake London (2022), and Kyle Pitts (2021), surely former coach Arthur Smith would’ve transformed them into an offensive powerhouse? Right? Falcons fans and fantasy managers, wait no longer. A new vision is what they needed. 

Like: Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson is a McVay product. In what’s been a prolific offense with a general lack of “superstar” playmakers, Robinson being the Rams’s pass game coordinator should help the Falcons tremendously. 

Lament: Not that the bar was high to begin with, but Raheem Morris thrived as a coordinator, not so much as a head coach. It has some merit to be wary of his 21-38 career record as a head coach. 

Los Angeles Chargers hire HC Jim Harbaugh, OC Greg Roman, General Manager (GM) Joe Hortiz, and DC Jesse Minter. 

Love: Talk about big ticket names; Jim Harbaugh has had unmatched success at Michigan, not to mention taking his team to a Super Bowl during his tenure with the 49ers. Joe Hortiz is a fantastic hire from Baltimore. These two should finally take LA back to the playoffs. 

Like: While I hated Greg Roman as much as the next Ravens fan, he is a fantastic run game coordinator and develops young QBs particularly well. Roman should revitalize a career for former All-Pro RB Austin Ekeler and elevate Justin Herbert’s game for the next two years or so. 

Lament: Jim Harbaugh is known to back his staff; just look at how he brought Minter with him from Michigan. It’s for that reason that the Greg Roman hire is also a worry. Just like with Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert will eventually outgrow the system. When the time comes, don’t overthink pulling the trigger, Jim. 

New England Patriots hire HC Jarod Mayo, DC DeMarcus Covington, OC Alex Van Pelt

Love: It’s the end of an era in Foxborough. There’s no doubt Bill Belichick is a hall of fame coach and has a strong case to be the best of all time. With that being said, it’s time the Patriots go younger, go more innovative, connect more with their players. 

Like: Whatever direction the Patriots go with their offense, whether they stick with their QBs and draft a WR, or take a prime QB prospect, Alex Van Pelt should bring some life to a long dormant offense. Van Pelt was crucial in enabling 39-year-old Joe Flacco to win Comeback Player of the Year.

Lament: You hired a former patriots linebacker to be Head Coach, great! You just hired the wrong one. The Titans shockingly “parted ways” with head coach Mike Vrabel, pinning the disappointing season on him rather than the incompetence of the front office. Vrabel is a fantastic coach who would’ve worked wonders back in New England.

Seattle Seahawks hire HC Mike Macdonald, OC Ryan Grubb, and DC Aden Durde.

Love: Young, upcoming DC Mike Macdonald got his big break after just two years of being an NFL coordinator. Macdonald transformed a faltering Baltimore defense into the best since 2000, taking home the triple crown. Macdonald inherits a savvy, young Seahawks defense that might be the 2nd Legion of Boom (LOB) under him. 

Like: Ryan Grubb joins the Seahawks after being the University of Washington’s Offensive Coordinator for two years. Despite falling short in the National Championship to the LA Chargers’s Jim Harbaugh, he led a prolific passing attack in Washington. Grubb provides a jolt to a Seattle offense including electric RBs and a fantastic WR trio. 

Lament: As a Ravens fan, this hurts. I sang Macdonald’s praises for a reason. He turned around our defense and put the right players in the right place to make a play. Promoting former LBs Zach Orr is a start, but with impending defensive free agents, the timing couldn’t be worse. 

Washington Commanders hire HC Dann Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr, GM Adam Peters. 

Love: Pairing GM Adam Peters from the 49ers and HC Dann Quinn from the rival Cowboys should be a strong foothold for a rebuilding team. There’s young players for the Commanders to utilize, but lots of work to be done. These two are the right ones to get the job done.

Like: Sam Howell showed promise: he was the league’s passing leader for weeks on end. However, he struggled with interceptions and confidence after being benched. Kingsbury spent time with top prospect Caleb Williams and should elevate a bottomed-out offense that still has some talent. 

Lament: The Commanders once again let the league control their decisions. After trading away star defensive players for arguably nothing, GM Adam Peters isn’t left with an arsenal of picks like other rebuilding teams have. They had a chance at Macdonald and/or Detroit’s Ben Johnson but got complacent. 

Carolina Panthers hire HC Dave Canales, OC Brad Idzik, GM Dan Morgan. 

Love: They stole division rival Tampa Bay’s top offensive coaches. OC Canales and WRs coach Idzik orchestrated a resurgent year for Baker Mayfield and perennial strong seasons from receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Bryce Young was rather disappointing this year, but he’s in good hands for the next couple seasons. 

Like: Carolina’s defense was criminally underrated in 2023. It’s exactly why I support the Panthers’ decision to get offensive-minded coaches to steer the team. The defensive unit can handle business, now it’s time to build the offense up to par. 

Lament: Dave Tepper forced his hand and got Bryce Young, but at what cost? The worst record in the league, the loss of receiver DJ Moore, and your number 1 pick in the hands of the Chicago Bears. $26 million in cap space but countless free agents and no draft capital. Good luck.