The job security of NFL coaches is very limited in most cases.
Teams often set lofty goals for their coaching staff, and failure to meet expectations can often lead to coaches prematurely exiting their positions.
This leads to turnover in the NFL’s head coaching positions in the off-season, and 2022 was no different in that regard.
This coming season, there will be a staggering ten new head coaches around the league.
With all this change, how much of a difference will these new coaches truly make?
That answer likely will vary depending on the situation.
With that in mind, here are the new coaches who project to improve their teams the most.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
Many of the recent coaching hires seem to be bringing a distinct change to their new squads.
New Giants coach Brian Daboll, more than any of them, may exemplify this shift the most.
Serving as the Bills’ offensive coordinator for the past four seasons, Daboll leaves a team that was a top three offense in football for the past two seasons.
Instead, he’ll attempt to revive a Giants offense that has ranked second-to-last for the past two years.
In some ways, there are parallels between the 2018 Bills (Daboll’s first year in Buffalo) and the 2022 Giants.
Daniel Jones is a quarterback who thus far has displayed great mobility and athletic gifts.
However, he’s yet to get things to click as a passer, and his lackluster offensive coaching in previous seasons hasn’t helped.
Another similarity is that the Giants, similar to the Bills, have not been a consistent playoff team recently.
When Daboll joined Sean McDermott’s staff in 2018, the Bills were coming off their first playoff berth since 1999.
Yet, they missed the postseason in Daboll’s first year all the same.
New York hasn’t tasted the postseason since 2016, and even in 2022 they’ll have their work cut out for them to get back in.
Yet, with a load of talent like former second overall pick Saquon Barkley, 2021 first round pick Kadarius Toney, and former NFL touchdown receptions leader Kenny Golladay all in town, there is the makings of success.
Many Giants fans heavily criticized the usage of these players a year ago.
With Daboll now in town, perhaps New York can properly make use of all that talent.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Another new coach who’ll certainly bring a different approach is Mike McDaniel.
The controversy surrounding Brian Flores’ exit from Miami led to McDaniel leaving his position as 49ers’ offensive coordinator to coach the Dolphins.
McDaniel will surely sing a different tune than Flores in multiple ways.
Personality wise, it’s clear the 39-year-old McDaniel is more of a ‘character’ than Flores, who was more of a traditional leader.
Yet, his unique personality doesn’t take away from the fact that McDaniel is well suited for this job.
As a longtime running mate of Kyle Shanahan, McDaniel seems to be mirroring Shanahan’s 49ers teams.
The quality tight end who can block and pose a real threat as a pass catcher? Mike Gesicki is filling George Kittle’s spot.
The elite wideout who has versatility as a deep threat, possession receiver, and even a runner? Tyreek Hill is more like Deebo Samuel than you’d think.
Alec Ingold will fill Kyle Juszczyk’s role as an impact fullback.
Finally, a deep backfield rings true to the same philosophy Shanahan uses, never relying too hard on one runner.
Throw in a strong defense and deadeye kicker, and they’re basically are building an AFC version of San Francisco.
Of course, the performance of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will dictate how far this Dolphins’ offense goes, but even that narrative is carrying over.
Jimmy Garoppolo is no elite QB either, but he was able to win games and have plenty of success.
It’s unclear if Tagovailoa can follow suit, but it seems McDaniel wants to build around him.
The question is if McDaniel can execute this team structure as successfully as Shanahan.
However, whether he sinks or swims, McDaniel will absolutely bring a different look to Miami in 2022.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings decided to part ways with longtime coach Mike Zimmer this past offseason after eight seasons.
New head coach Kevin O’Connell will replace him, and he’s bringing championship experience along with him.
As offensive coordinator for the reigning champion Rams, O’Connell will try bringing scoring flash back to Minnesota.
The Vikings haven’t been a trainwreck on offense in recent years, finishing fourteenth in points scored in 2021.
Yet, with all the talent the Vikings possess, it can be argued that was a disappointment.
Justin Jefferson is perhaps the most talented wide receiver in the NFL.
His fellow wideout Adam Thielen has consistently been an elite red zone threat, especially for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Dalvin Cook, when healthy, remains a talented running back.
While his health remains a question mark, the 1,159 yards he accumulated in 2021 is impressive.
Finally, the likes of tight end Irv Smith Jr, WR KJ Osborn, and RB Alexander Mattison round out a strong group.
Overall, Minnesota has numerous playmakers on its roster, yet the results were often inconsistent recently.
O’Connell will hope to change that by bringing some of the teachings of Sean McVay to the Vikings.
It helps that O’Connell was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach back in Washington, so familiarity is there.
O’Connell played a part in Matthew Stafford’s terrific 2021 season, culminating in a championship.
For years, Stafford was seen in a similar vain to Cousins: quality player, but not a winning QB.
Could Kevin O’Connell help change this narrative?
Furthermore, O’Connell also had a hand in Cooper Kupp’s dominant 2021 performance.
Not to diminish Kupp, but many would agree that Justin Jefferson has more pedigree and talent than the Rams’ pass catcher.
If Jefferson can turn in a similar campaign to Kupp’s dominant 2021, the Vikings could be going places.
And while the team still has to improve its defense to become true contenders, the 2022 Vikings nonetheless could cause damage if
