Maybe it doesn’t seem so surprising for the Seahawks now, with Sam Darnold coming off a stellar season with Minnesota a year ago, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak soon on his way to a head coaching spot in Las Vegas, a stellar wide receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a ferocious defense led by head coach Mike Macdonald.
Or for the Patriots after Drake Maye — considered by some to be the prize of the 2024 NFL Draft, even as he was selected after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels — blossomed in his second year and first under new head coach Mike Vrabel. After all, Vrabel routinely led the Titans to the playoffs in his six-year stint in Tennessee, and now the former linebacker has the New England defense back on track following a miserable season under Jerod Mayo, who replaced Bill Belichick.
Perhaps that’s what helped lead to a stunning turnover in head coaches following this season, with 10 departures — including Mike Tomlin’s resignation in Pittsburgh.
Everyone wants the next new toy.