Duce

Staley

Staley was officially named as the team’s running back coach on the same day offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey put pen to paper. In addition to Staley and Dorsey, the Browns also named Tommy Rees as their passing game specialist/tight ends coach and Jacques Cesaire as their defensive line coach. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has made several changes to his staff since the end of last season as he looks to iron out the issues that plague his team in 2023 — specifically on the offensive side of the ball.

Anderson reports that Staley told the Jets, who were also interested in his services, that he’ll be joining the Browns. Considering the Browns recently fired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, there’s reason to believe that Staley could be filling that vacancy. Staley was a coach with the Eagles for years before leaving the join the Lions in 2021 after being passed over for promotions. With the Lions, he guided the team to 11th ranked rushing seasons in both years before following former colleague Frank Reich to Carolina.

McCown’s dismissal appeared imminent after the Panthers cut ties with head coach Frank Reich earlier in the day. Tasked with developing quarterback Bryce Young, McCown’s early efforts with the No. 1 overall pick have fallen short, as the Panthers are 1-10 and Young looks like the worst of the three quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. McCown was once interviewed for the Texans’ head coaching vacancy back in 2022, but ultimately didn’t secure the job. His job with the Panthers marked McCown’s first NFL coaching job. He’ll likely get additional opportunities down the line if he hopes to continue his coaching career, but his days in Carolina are now done. In addition to McCown, the Panthers also fired assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley.

The request means that Duce Staley, who was just reported to be joining the Panthers staff, will not hold the role of offensive coordinator. He will, however, hold a higher position in Carolina than he did with the Lions. Cooter has also interviewed with the Bucs for their offensive coordinator vacancy. After a solid stint with the Lions, Cooter has played various roles for the Jets, Eagles, and Jaguars over the past four years. Already having their offensive guru in Frank Reich, Cooter would be a safe choice for the Panthers’ OC vacancy.

Staley will join Frank Reich, the Panthers’ new head coach, in Charlotte. The two coaches spent two years together in Philadelphia before Reich left for Indianaoplis. Staley, having been passed over for multiple promotions during his decade with the Eagles, left for Detroit before the 2021 season. The Lions ranked 11th in rushing yards per game in both of Staley’s seasons with the team. There hasn’t been any talk of him being the Panthers’ offensive coordinator yet, though that is on the table. If he is hired at a lower position, it will likely be as a run-game coordinator.

Staley has been continually passed over for promotions by the Eagles and has seemingly grown tired of waiting. He was not interviewed for Philly’s OC vacancy last year and after Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie named him as an HC candidate this year, the team passed on him for that job and their vacant OC job once again. Staley has been with the Eagles for a decade. Eagles players raved about Staley and he will be a hot name for teams to bring on as a staffer but maybe not as an OC. He reportedly has numerous offers to explore this offseason.

Staley was reportedly pursued by several teams after he requested to be released from his contract with the Eagles, who constantly passed on Staley for promotions during his time as an assistant coach. Long a player favorite, Staley will join Dan Campbell’s staff, which includes newly hired offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn. Staley and Lynn, who come with extensive run-game backgrounds, could signal a run-heavy offensive approach in Detroit this season with Campbell hoping to establish the Lions as tough guys who may or may not maim their opponents.

Lurie was asked about the “best minority candidates in the search” and immediately responded with Staley’s name, citing his hiring of Ray Rhodes in 1995. Staley is an obvious choice if the organization if looking to hire from within given that he’s been around the team’s politics for the last decade and is already respected by most players inside the locker room. Whomever lands the gig faces an uphill battle in potentially righting the ship with Carson Wentz and putting a competitive team on the field without the luxury of any cap space to work with. Lurie is expected to take his time with the final hire.

Our friends at FantasyAsylum.com want to trade Staley because of his lack of TDs. But with all that yardage production, we’d be happy to accomodate them if we could “buy low” with Staley right now. Even if he only scores 5-6 TDs this season, Staley should provide solid value.

Staley is expected to play this weekend. But his owners should watch practice reports and Sunday’s game closely to see whether the injury will be a long-term concern.