Bear Hands

I mentioned elsewhere, but it can't be lost that Wilks only has 2 entire years to his name as a coordinator in the NFL and 14 years overall experience. The fact is he was Ron Rivera's assistant since 2006 until the AZ job came along in 2017. The AZ HC season was probably a huge season of growth for him professionally even though the team and franchise was awful there, but overall, you don't really see much to go off. And even if it was crappy situation and they didn't give him time, that team nosedived and hard. Can't ignore that. As coordinator, one year was riding McD's defense with Luke, and the other was under Freddie Kitchens in Cleveland (They were ranked around 22nd that year). As HC, his teams have lost by double digits 12 times in 29 total games. Nahhh

Well it's what he was here as the DB/AHC spot and for most of his career. People are losing sight that he's only been a coordinator for 2 years of his career. 2! in his 14 years of NFL experience. He's not even a proven coordinator people. (last line not directed at you Donald)

If we don't hire Wilks, I'd say there's a higher likelihood he goes back to Ron in WAS as an AHC instead.

New guesses after recent unfoldings: HC: Shane Steichen OC: Frank Reich DC: Vic Fangio QB: CJ Stroud, Gardner Minshew, Matt Corral Other Draft Picks: Rashee Rice, Zach Charbonnet, Luke Schoonmaker

Updated DraftKings Odds: https://www.draftkings.com/

Additional context...outside of AZ, the NFL staffs that brought him in were led by: Lovie/Ron Rivera (2006-2017) Position Coach and/or AHC sans 1 season of 11 Freddie Kitchens (2019) DC (staff was fired) Matt Rhule (2022) Not a coordinator That's the extent of his NFL career outside of that weird year in Arizona where, yep, he was fired.

Thank you...I thought I remembered that. Unsure how the sentiment was here on the board, but I definitely remember that in the media and for fans and our tailgate. I was sort of open at the start but the more you think on it... He's Rivera's decade+plus long-term righthand man from CHI to SD to CAR, was out of football in 2020, Mizzou in 2021 until Rhule hired him. Went .500 to close out a season on a cakewalk schedule. Has 14 years of NFL experience, only 3 less than the supposed inexperienced Steichen & Johnson. Virtually the only guy with direct ties to the last two regimes that we all so much disliked for various reasons and are trying to move far and away from. Hard no, do not pass go, do not collect $200

The more we are removed from that shmuck, the more clear how absolutely out of his depth he was. It's like seeing a kid trying to wear adult clothes. That was pure B-Rated NFL

Fangio's return after 25ish years would be cool to see. Steichen (or) Kafka w/Fangio smells like the ticket in my opinion. Just don't see Payton materializing.

Did you see that from a report or something re:traction with Kafka? Just curious.

Is there a report or something on this or more just an educated guess?

We’ll be waiting a few weeks if this is Moore, Steichen, Kafka or Dorsey. If there’s no traction after a few days of Payton rumors & having interviewed guys like Reich, Evero, etc. my bet is on one of those four still in the playoffs.

Oh man. Not ready to overreact at the possibility of a Wilks walk-back. If that’s the case, could be Payton, Steichen, or I guess Moore or Dorsey. Can’t see Caldwell happening

Oh yeah haha. It’s so batshit that it’s a possibility, I keep forgetting it could be happening

Johnson must’ve had some really nice talks with the Lions this week that probably seem much rosier than the prospective jobs. Good on Detroit and him.

Updated Field: Steichen Kafka Dorsey Moore Reich Caldwell …Wilks In the No Column: B Johnson Demeco Mayo

Watch this be Kafka.

We’ll if he impressed, hasn’t formally backed out, and has the heightened odds today, wonder if there’s something there. Him and Kafka are still solid options.

Is Steichen still in the running? Turned away for a few hours and all of this went down ha

Well this is sure an interesting twist. Steichen took the odds lead earlier so I do wonder what’s cracking. I just don’t see Payton happening.

Thanks for the GT kid shoutout. I should've just posted the whole thing in my OP, forget the Athletic is paid, but do highly recommend it for all who don't. It's like 1.99/month

A lot of the former Miami staff and connects helped build the current Bengals squad. Good link:

I agree with this. He used them, but didn't seem to have a need for a high-volume dude. Once Hock was gone, Wright/Mitchell/Zylstra kinda gave off Tremble/Thomas/Sullivan (but better) vibes. Brock Wright is a promising TE in DET. We could benefit in getting a guy in the mid-rounds with similar upside like Schoonmaker.

The Richardson value is what I find interesting if we miss out on the top-3. I imagine many aren't fans of that next tier and AR does have tantalizing upside. Do teams view Tanner McKee in the same ballpark? Or is he meh? And is there a big drop off to Hendon Hooker, Jaren Hall, & Clayton Tune? I just wonder how teams will rank Richardson and if he's really high end first rounder. The microscope on him will be monster in this draft build up.

I'm a fan of the RBs projected in RD 3-5. Nothing against Chubba, and we'll need to see if we re-sign Foreman, but added RBs are always welcome in those mid rounds. One of my personal favorites to fit with those two in our backfield is Tyjae Spears. Tulane had an awesome year mainly due to him and Michael Pratt. His vision and quick cuts to find holes are awesome. He capped off a sensational year dominating USC, big part of why they won. He's like Pollard meets Herbert. Tackle breaker, quick accelerator, quick cuts, pass catcher, home run hitter.