NFL defensive coordinator matchmaker: Assigning ideal coach for each job opening, including Dolphins, Vikings

There are just three games left in the 2023 NFL playoffs, and four teams still alive in the race to be the Super Bowl champion. Yet for the 28 teams eliminated, it’s already the offseason. That means it’s time to remake both rosters and coaching staffs. 

As we discussed on Tuesday, there are an absolute ton of teams looking for a new offensive coordinator. In fact, there are currently 12 (TWELVE!) offensive coordinator vacancies. We played matchmaker for seven of them (the teams looking for a coordinator that already have their head coach in place), pairing teams with the coach who best fits for what they are looking to do offensively. 

Today, we’re going to do the same thing on the defensive side of the ball, where there are eight teams looking for coordinators. It’s worth keeping in mind that there are five teams that still have head-coach openings, which makes it nearly impossible to choose a defensive coordinator for them. So, we won’t be making a match for the Broncos, Cardinals, Colts, Panthers or Texans just yet. That leaves us with three teams for which to find fits: the Dolphins, Falcons and Vikings. 

Before we give it a try, let’s do some housekeeping. I’ve compiled a list of candidates who have either been interviewed for one of the aforementioned openings, been requested for an interview or are rumored to be a potential candidate. That list is extensive. Here it is, in alphabetical order: 

It’s…