Fansided

Jeff Fisher may get an opportunity to save his NFL reputation … as an analyst

By Chris Wurtz

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jeff Fisher of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jeff Fisher of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Jeff Fisher’s NFL coaching tenure ended in turmoil. A year and a half later, he may be getting another opportunity to succeed in the football industry.

According to a report from Sporting News’ Mike McCarthy, Fox Sports is in talks with former Titans and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher about him working as an analyst for the program. It remains unclear whether Fisher would be a commentator in the press box or a pregame studio analyst.

Fisher spent the 2017 season away from coaching after being fired by the Rams at the end of the 2016 season. He has previously expressed interest in eventually re-joining the NFL coaching ranks.

Fisher coached in the NFL for 22 seasons, reaching the playoffs just six times. He reached one Super Bowl, ending dramatically in devastating fashion with “The Tackle.” Fisher holds one of the more unfortunate coaching records. He’s lost the most games among all coaches in NFL history at 165 (tied with Dan Reeves).

After finishing 8-8 or 7-9 (and even 7-8-1, once) 10 times, Fisher earned a reputation of mediocrity as a coach. He has a rare opportunity to rewrite that narrative with a move to a different branch of the industry.

Naysayers were hard on Fisher for the development — or lack thereof — of quarterbacks under his watch. Vince Young, the third pick in the 2006 draft, never fulfilled his star potential. Many blamed Young’s failure on Fisher’s strained relationship with the quarterback.

More recently, Fisher coached a trio of quarterbacks who struggled mightily with him and then went on to thrive without him. Case Keenum, Jared Goff and Nick Foles have all looked like completely different players after escaping Fisher’s cloud of doom.

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However, if Fisher does indeed land a job with Fox, he’ll have a chance to follow Jon Gruden’s career arc. Gruden went from the sideline, to the press box and back to the sideline.