Ranking NFL offensive coordinator openings: Here's where Tennessee Titans land

The Tennessee Titans still have an offensive coordinator opening. They are not alone.

There are still 10 offensive coordinator jobs unsettled as of Feb. 1. That's a lot with a month to go before the NFL Combine and the start of free agency.

For teams like the Titans and Commanders, with head coaches from defensive backgrounds and QB questions, a new offensive coordinator will dictate a lot about what will happen for the rest of the offseason.

Because of the timing, these openings should fill quickly over the next few weeks. Here's how we rank the 14 teams who changed coordinators after the season, including the Titans.

A note: We included all 14 teams who opted to change offensive coordinators into this ranking. Four teams have announced their new hires; those decisions don't impact the rankings.

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1. Los Angeles Chargers

Why? The tools are all here. Justin Herbert is the best QB on this list, and Keenan Allen and Mike Williams is a legit 1-2 WR tandem. The offensive line, when healthy, is solid. The Chargers need a playcaller who will maximize how dynamic this offense can be against teams other than the Kansas City Chiefs.

NOTE: Former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was named the Chargers' offensive coordinator last month.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Why? Trust that the Ravens will keep Lamar Jackson or trade him for an exorbitant amount of assets. Either way, this is a stable job with a stable head coach on a team with high expectations. The Ravens could stand to add a WR1... and a WR2 to pair with Mark Andrews.

At this point, there will be QB questions for every one of these teams. Keep that in context as we go through the rest.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Why? Kellen Moore helped Dallas take a step forward in 2022 but left the team after the Divisional Playoff loss at San Francisco. Dak Prescott is good, but not great. It's fair to say that going into Year 8. CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and a good offensive line means Dallas should be among the best in the league again in 2023.

Yet, Mike McCarthy said he is calling the plays in 2023. So will Dallas even hire a formal OC? We'll see.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why? Tom Brady will not be a Buccaneer next season. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a solid OL when healthy makes Tampa a good place for an offensive coordinator and a quarterback.

5. Los Angeles Rams

Why? Matthew Stafford's health is a big part of this, and there will need to be changes on the offensive line. But Cooper Kupp is still on the roster, and a motivated Sean McVay should be a good thing. What helps this ranking is that a successful season will mean head coaching interviews for whomever is the OC.

NOTE: Former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will be the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2023, the team announced last month.

6. New York Jets

Why? The Jets should be a top destination for any quarterback looking for a new start (or looking to leverage others for a larger payday).

NOTE: Nathaniel Hackett was named the Jets' offensive coordinator last month.

7. Denver Broncos

Why? Most talk about the Broncos job as if Russell Wilson is unsalvageable as a quality NFL starting quarterback. Maybe he is. Don't discount Wilson and the Broncos offense having a similar boost that Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense had in their first post-Urban Meyer season. Nathaniel Hackett didn't make the off-field headlines that Meyer did, but the Broncos looked ill-equipped in any sort of pressure situation in 2022.

All that is to say that I think there's hope with the Broncos offense. Wilson isn't the dynamic player he was six years ago, but he can't be the franchise anchor weight he was this year either. Right? Right?!

So why aren't the Broncos higher? Sean Payton will be calling plays.

8. Washington Commanders

Why? Terry McLaurin is pushing D.J. Moore for the most underrated WR1 in the league moniker. Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson are probably better than their 2022 numbers. Dotson and RB Brian Robinson should have a good chance to improve on their rookie seasons. The skill group is underrated as a whole.

This ranking gets much, much lower if Sam Howell gets a chance to be the starting quarterback next season.

9. Carolina Panthers

Why? The future of the Panthers' QB position is a major question, one that impacts every facet of the offseason. With the No. 9 pick, Carolina would have to likely move up to draft one of the top QBs in April. Sam Darnold is a free agent and wasn't good enough to be a starter in 2023. D.J. Moore, a strong running game and a good offensive line await the next offensive coordinator, even if a good QB may not. New coach Frank Reich wouldn't fully commit to calling plays, so that decision is likely going to guide the Panthers' decision here.

10. Tennessee Titans

Why? Derrick Henry is still a very good running back. Ryan Tannehill has won a lot of games in Nashville.

That's the end of the good news about this offense. It needs an overhaul unlike few teams on this list, starting with an offensive line that needs an infusion of, well, good play. Treylon Burks and Robert Woods are due for bounce-back 2023 seasons, but the Titans still could use a WR1. Then there's Tannehill, who has one year remaining on his contract. What will new GM Ran Carthon do about that?

11. Houston Texans

Why? The No. 2 overall pick is likely to be a QB, which gives them the edge over the Colts and Cardinals on this list. Other than that, there's not a lot to like. Brandin Cooks and Dameon Pierce are good skill players, and Laremy Tunsil is the cornerstone at left tackle. But the Texans offense lacks a game-changer.

12. Arizona Cardinals

Why? Kyler Murray tore his ACL in December, and it's no guarantee that he'll be ready Week 1. DeAndre Hopkins has been the subject of trade rumors, too. This is another team without a head coach, which would dictate just how much responsibility an OC might have in 2023. For a team that has no issue moving off of coaches, there will be pressure to win from Day 1, Kyler or no Kyler.

13. New England Patriots

Why? There's an AFC tax here. Mac Jones is a clear step or two below the top quarterbacks in the conference, and the two high-paid free agent tight end signings (Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith) have not panned out. Bill Belichick teams will always be competitive, but that's not the goal here.

NOTE: Bill O'Brien was named the Patriots' new offensive coordinator Jan. 24.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Why? This offense needs the most work, from OL to QB to the skill positions. The Colts have the No. 4 pick, which should be able to help either the quarterback room or add a franchise offensive tackle. But there is a lot of work to do, and I'm not optimistic that the Colts' personnel can be good enough next year even with several additions.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator job ranks in NFL openings