At 5-5, the sky seems to be falling for the Buffalo Bills.
The team just fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey this week, but was he the real reason for this team's woes? That's debatable.
Head coach Sean McDermott needed a scapegoat, and Dorsey looked ripe for the picking. But, if this season ends in disappointment for the Bills, McDermott very well could be out of a job, too.
If and when McDermott is fired, the Bills have tons of options. But, let's look at a few that might be flying under the radar and off the list of those top candidates at the moment.
1. Todd Monken, Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
When Todd Monken took over for Greg Roman in Baltimore, fans were elated. It was about time for a change for that Ravens offense. Lamar Jackson deserved better. In his first year as the team's offensive coordinator, Monken has done an admirable job, too.
That offense still doesn't have a legitimate WR1 option, but rookie Zay Flowers has had a good first season. Odell Beckham Jr. isn't the same and Rashod Bateman isn't the guy he was when he entered the league, either. Not to mention, the running back room has been all over the place this season.
Still, Baltimore is 9th in yards per game and 5th in scoring at this point in the season. Monken has done great work with what he's had to use, even despite Jackson having some down games in overall production.
2. Bobbly Slowik, Offensive Coordinator, Houston Texans
Has there been a bigger surprise this season than rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans' offense? Stroud looks like a veteran, through and through, all while operating an offense without an alpha wide receiver. He is spreading the ball around, getting it to a bunch of different guys and has himself in the thick of the MVP conversation.
Bobby Slowik deserves some credit for Stroud's performance this year and how the offense has operated. To this point on the season, Houston is 6th in yards per game, 2nd in passing and 10th in scoring.
If Slowik came to Buffalo, he'd have much more than a rookie quarterback and a bunch of WR2 options. Giving Slowik a guy like Josh Allen could work wonders for this Bills offense, specifically in the turnover department. Look at Stroud so far, having thrown just two interceptions on the year so far. That's been one of the biggest detriments to this Bills offense: Allen's turnovers.
With a focus on taking care of the ball and spreading it around, Slowik could be the guy to take the Bills' offense back to the top. He comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, too, which is always a great tree to pick from.
3. Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State
A couple of years ago when the Chicago Bears had a head coaching vacancy and before they hired Matt Eberflus, there were a lot of whispers around Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day stepping up to the NFL ranks and taking that gig to work with his former quarterback, Justin Fields.
Of course, Day stuck around Ohio State and it was definitely for the better. All he has done since taking over in 2018 is win. He has led the Buckeyes to a pair of Rose Bowl victories, a Peach Bowl appearance and an appearance in a National Championship Game back in 2020 that unfortunately ended with a loss.
But, this year, he and the Buckeyes are a perfect 10-0 right now and Day could be looking at another shot at a championship. If they were to win it all, there would have to be some interest from NFL teams in bringing him up a level. Day does have some history in the league as a quarterbacks coach for both the San Francisco 49ers (2016) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2015). Those are two excellent organizations in terms of historically-good coaching trees, so his experience has to count for something.
4. Josh McCown, Quarterbacks Coach, Carolina Panthers
This one might be flying way under the radar right now, but in the near future, you are going to see Josh McCown get some serious head coaching consideration. The current Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach is viewed as a legitimate future coach in the NFL and for many reasons.
Obviously, he is a bit younger and would bring a fresh offensive scheme to any team. But, that fresh perspective also comes from the eyes of a longtime former player. McCown spent almost two decades in the NFL and was part of countless locker rooms. He saw plenty of offensive schemes, coaching styles and locker room cultures over the years.
And through it all, he remained one of the most beloved players on every team he played for. He has always been well-respected around the league and looked at as someone who would, without a doubt, have a future in coaching. It's no wonder he was a front-runner for the Houston Texans head coaching position at one point before they ultimately hired DeMeco Ryans.
I love McCown as a future head coach, and if the Bills wanted to give him his shot in 2024, I wouldn't hate the move. In fact, he might be exactly what this team needs.
5. Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, Michigan
Every NFL offseason, we're going to talk about Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan for the pros. And every year, it seems, the conversation is a pointless one. But, it's one that's worth having. For the Bills to pry Harbaugh from Michigan, they would have to give one heck of a sales pitch. He's comfortable, highly-paid and always in the running for a National Championship.
The counterpoint to that, of course, is the fact that he has yet to make it to the big game. But, that could all change this year as he and the Wolverines are 10-0, just like Day and the Buckeyes.
Harbaugh, a former quarterback, could wind up being the guy who finally morphs Josh Allen into the guy he's shown the ability to be, but do so consistently. He has the type of overall leadership skills of an old-school coach, bringing toughness and a matter-of-fact type of attitude. For a fan base like Buffalo, Harbaugh would mesh real well. He's a no-BS type of guy.
But again, what would it take to get him to leave Michigan? He'd have to see a real opportunity to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo, and right now, the Bills still look like they need some help beyond just their head coach.