NFL hot seat watch: 5 offensive coordinators who could become head coaches in 2023

If the Buffalo Bills go on a deep playoff run, Ken Dorsey will get a real shot here

There are a few teams where how deep they go in the postseason will play a huge part in if their star coordinators get a shot at leading a team of their own. Admittedly, NFL owners often have a quick trigger finger to get their coaching vacancies filled as quickly as possible. However, a rather weak candidate pool may afford some teams something they are in dire need of, which is patience.

One of those teams that checks that box of probably going on a deep playoff run is the Buffalo Bills. Although this is Ken Dorsey’s first season as an offensive coordinator, the former Miami Hurricanes star quarterback has the cachet to make the leap up to the big chair fairly quickly. Replacing Brian Daboll was not going to be easy, but Dorsey has passed the test with flying colors.

Learning under Daboll, Sean McDermott and Ron Rivera gives Dorsey a real shot at getting a team.

Dallas Cowboys are about to be down two coordinators, including Kellen Moore

No matter how far, or not, the Dallas Cowboys go in the NFC playoffs, one would expect that head coach Mike McCarthy will have to replace his two star coordinators on staff. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the best candidate in this cycle and will be leading a team of his own. The Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts feel like great landing spots for him. Then, there’s Kellen Moore.

The former Boise State star has made it abundantly clear that he wants to stay in the NFL. He could have led his alma mater two years ago, but the Broncos went with another alum in Andy Avalos instead. As far as what teams could be interested in hiring Moore to be their next head coach, he would do well with the Carolina Panthers, possibly at a few places on the West Coast…

If half-a-dozen teams are looking to hire a new head coach, Moore will get one of those six jobs.