1 of 1

Yes

Write now Article Tools

NFL teams should be allowed to contact potential coaches to fill their vacant positions during the playoffs. The NFL has become a highly intense competitive league with teams looking for every advantage they can get. One of those advantages shouldn't be about the timing of hiring a new coach. A potentially hired coach on a playoff team is at a distinct disadvantage.

In the NFL teams are always attempting to gain a competitive edge over their competition. As of now the rules state that a team must be out of the playoffs before you can contact any coach on their staff about a potential job. This forces NFL teams to wait to legally be able to contact potential coaches. This happens while other teams fill their vacancies and without any knowledge if the coach you are waiting for even has any interest in your organization. Meanwhile the coach that is watching all these vacancies get filled begins to wonder what if any job will be left for him. That has to be distracting to the coach as he ponders his future.

Coaches on playoff teams that would be considered for coaching vacancies on other teams are at a disadvantage among their peers. They don't have the opportunity to interview for numerous openings that occur while they are unable to be in contact with other teams. This is restrictive not only in the number of potential opportunities but also in the odds that the coach may find the right job to take.

The problem is that even after a coach in this position gets hired he is still playing from behind. He must assemble a staff out of what is left at his disposal after other coaches that were hired earlier have already filled their staffs. Which in turn puts the coach behind in free agent and draft preparations.

The NFL has two possible solutions to this problem. The first would be to not allow any coaching hires until the NFL season is over after the Super Bowl. The other solution would be to simply allow coaches to contact other teams while their teams are still in the playoffs.

This is one policy that the NFL needs to change. The common misconception is that it is distracting for teams and coaches to allow contact when the policy itself is causing more of a distraction. The teams, players, and coaches alike are not ignorant as to who potential coaching hires are and the likelihood of the those coaches moving on to new jobs. Instead of causing unnecessary distractions and unfair disadvantages the NFL needs to embrace its competitive culture and allow teams to contact these coaches.

Learn more about this author, Daniel Reinard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should NFL teams be allowed to contact potential coaches for vacated positions during the NFL playoffs??
We want to hear your view. Write now!