Dan Campbell at the Detroit Lions, Brandon Staley at the Los Angeles Chargers, more

Seven NFL teams laid off their head coaches during this cycle – three during the 2020 season and four after the regular season – and now the first hires of 2021 have been confirmed.

The Jacksonville Jaguars focused on former varsity coach Urban Meyer, who has been announced as the new coach. The New York Jets have announced they have reached a deal to hire the former 49ers defensive coordinator of San Francisco, Robert Saleh. The Atlanta Falcons have struck a deal with former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The Los Angeles Chargers have hired former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. And the Detroit Lions have chosen former New Orleans Saints assistant Dan Campbell as their coach.

How did the Lions, Chargers, Falcons, Jaguars and Jets fare with their hires? We asked ESPN National NFL Editors Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler to discuss each move and give their ratings, starting with the most recent at the top.

Join a team:
Lions | Chargers
Falcons | Jaguars | Jets

Context: Assistant to the New Orleans Saints Head Coach and Tight Ends Coach (2016-2020); Miami Dolphins tight ends coach (2011-15)

Graziano: Campbell gained a little head coaching experience when he was the interim coach of the Dolphins for the last 12 games of the 2015 season after Joe Philbin was sacked, and he caught the virus. He’s been on Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans ever since and can’t wait to get another shot at the big job. A former NFL end who played 10 years for the Giants, Cowboys and Lions, Campbell has a fiery personality and a high level of energy as a coach – anyone who remembers his press conferences when he was busy. the Miami post already knows that. Five years of apprenticeship under Payton could only have been helpful, I think. Definitely a rental off the beaten path by Lions, but how can you chat with a team in their situation trying something non-traditional?