Fansided

NFL coaching carousel: Ranking the most attractive openings

By Ian Wharton

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 02: Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 2nd 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 02: Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 2nd 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Cincinnati Bengals

If this ranking was only about the quality of the roster, the Cincinnati Bengals would be several spots higher than sixth. Unfortunately, their current ownership situation greatly limits the appeal for many candidates. What former head coach Marvin Lewis accomplished with the financial constraints that owner Mike Brown enforces is impressive even without any postseason success.

Brown is stubborn, and making wholesale changes aren’t the norm. Though the Bengals boast stars Geno Atkins, William Jackson, Shawn Williams, A.J. Green, Joe Mixon, and a bevy of young pass rushers, there’s the looming issue at quarterback that must be addressed.

If Brown doesn’t green-light spending, a mini-teardown could be coming and the Bengals could miss their window to improve with their aging stars. The Bengals have enough cap space ($50 million) to augment their offense but haven’t been free-agent players since Lewis took over.

Sitting 11th overall and with a full slate of picks, the Bengals can quickly improve if the right coach takes the job. Long-term, it’s a less attractive job unless they finally find a better quarterback than Andy Dalton.