With the Wild Card slate of games nearly complete in the NFL playoffs, the discussion surrounding the future of players and coaches is becoming amplified. Disappointment from fanbases and organizations about falling short in the playoffs has engendered discussion about the outlook going forward as they look to have a chance to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter spoke about the intel he has regarding these narratives and projected potential landing spots for some of the coaches reportedly looking for jobs in the NFL. More coaches may join them as the playoffs continue and teams determine that changes need to be made.
After Schefter finished giving an answer about where former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll may land, show host Dan Patrick acknowledged that it is “a fascinating time” in the NFL. Combined with the retirement of head coach Nick Saban and appointment of Kalen DeBoer as his successor to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide, the coaching carousel is presumably in or close to full swing.
As someone who covers the league throughout the entire calendar year, Schefter reassured Patrick that this stretch of time in the NFL, while perceived by many to be extraordinarily fascinating, is akin to many others. Although the parameters may not be the same, the fact of the matter is that it is still widely regarded to be a fascinating time in the league.
“It always is, okay,” Schefter said on Monday morning. “That’s how I have a job. That’s what this league does. We go from the playoffs to the hires and fires to free agency to quarterbacks…. It’s one soapbox drama after another.”
Patrick’s program covers the NFL extensively both during the season and offseason, providing fans with an outlet for reliable information and trusted opinions. He has been hosting the radio show independent of ESPN since leaving the network in the summer of 2007 and has discussed the NFL in an innumerable amount of episodes. Patrick is prepared to retire at the conclusion of his contract in 2027, preemptively setting Christmas Eve of that year as his final show date.
“It’s great for your show; people love it,” Schefter said to Patrick regarding the NFL. “You’ve been in business for a long time, and the NFL reality show – it just feels like just gets larger and larger and larger and more and more popular over time.”
