The top job in this cycle

 There were a whopping 10 NFL head coaching vacancies this year, and while I don't want to say too much (the Raiders and Cardinals are still looking and I have my fingers crossed!) I do think it is interesting looking at who ended up where. John Harbaugh went to New York, Kevin Stefanski went to Atlanta, and perhaps most curiously, at least in my book, Robert Saleh left San Francisco to go to the Titans. 

I'd heard more than one person, certainly someone more in tune with football than me, say that the Titans' job was the top opening out there. The logic made sense. They had last year's number 1 pick Cam Ward ready to make a jump next season, there were limited payroll obligations, especially as their quarterback is not on a typical "quarterback" salary, and the organization, frankly, doesn't have the long term dysfunction some of the other openings have had.

If the Titans were the best landing spot, why didn't the two top names on the market end up there? Each coach had a reason, and the Titans liked did as well. Harbaugh was the biggest name out there after leaving the Baltimore Ravens after a multi-decade, multi-Super Bowl career. After that success, and paying those dues, Harbaugh is significantly more likely to be capable of handling the bright lights of New York. The Giants are similar to Tennessee in that they have a young, talented quarterback to mold, but they are different in that they are not in Nashville. 

Stefanski likely had a different consideration. He came initially from Minnesota and went to the Browns, where he did the almost unthinkable - brought Cleveland to the postseason. Stefanski, as I noted, started in Minnesota, and now goes to the Falcons, where Kurt Cousins remains on the payroll. Maybe Cousins will be jettisoned this offseason, but also, maybe not. Cousins and Stefanski would start with a baseline of understanding that could get the ball rolling before Michael Penix takes the role back over. 

For their part, the Titans have ever only really had success when they have focused on rounding out their defense. Jeff Fisher brought them to the Super Bowl. Mike Vrabel made them relevant with Ryan Tannehill leading the way. Stefanski has an offensive background, while Harbaugh, as noted, was not likely interested in starting at ground level in Nashville. Robert Saleh is renowned for his expertise on the defensive side of the ball. Saleh fits the mold of "good Tennessee Titans head coach."

Saleh also has "head coach" on his prior resume. It speaks to his abilities as a defensive coordinator that after coaching the Jets, he was able to secure another head coaching role. It's been proven time and again that the second run for head coaches in all sports are better in their second spot. Saleh has experience leading an entire roster, and at building out talented defenses, even if those defenses are fraught with injuries, as the one in San Francisco was.

The Titans did have the top job on the market this cycle, and they got exactly the coach they wanted.