I think the reality is that we're more than likely not going to be an attractive option for the top available HC candidates. We absolutely should 100% shoot our shot and try to sell a long-term vision, but the worst thing we could do is to move on from Rizzi "just because" and settle for a longshot candidate. If we can't compete for the Ben Johnsons of this hiring cycle:
- Keep Rizzi on a 3-year modest extension (he can't and won't command a big contract, so we can eat the last two years if it doesn't work out in '25)
- Keep Klint Kubiak, who has done a nice job with limited resources, and avoid having three different schemes in three years
- Upgrade over Joe Woods at DC
- Let Carr & Rattler compete for QB1
- Try to re-sign MVS, Chase Young, Willie Gay, Paulson Adebo to 1 or 2-year deals
- Tender Shaheed for a high round pick, and consider letting him walk if another team signs him to a large offer sheet
- Approach aging veteran stars about taking a pay cut, should they wish to continue playing next season (TH, DD, CJ, TM, ect)
- Invest heavy resources into the lines on both sides of the ball, without trading away future draft assets
- Consider seeing what you can get for Chris Olave, before another potential concussion evaporates all trade value
- Commit to developing young players with game reps as much as reasonably possible in '25
More than likely we are destined to struggle in '25, regardless of who the coach is. In the scenario above, you have the opportunity to nearly completely turn the page for '26 if the team doesn't show signs of life under Rizzi. If we're smart with the cap and our draft assets, we'll be much more appealing to top candidates in the next hiring cycle.