Sean McVay altered the way NFL teams went about evaluating head coaches back in 2017. Not only was he the youngest coach in the league, but he was also one of its brightest offensive minds. The instant success the Los Angeles Rams had with him got many teams to adjust their thinking. They wanted the “next McVay.” Thus everybody started hiring the coaches who were both young and had a reputation for offensive wizardry. So it wasn’t a huge shock Joe Brady got tons of hype when he emerged onto the scene.
After finishing his playing career at William & Mary in 2012, Brady knew he had no future in the NFL wearing pads. So he immediately transitioned to coaching. He spent four years as an assistant in college before he caught the eye of Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. Brady spent two years there learning under the future Hall of Famer. This led straight into the job that made him famous when LSU hired him as passing game coordinator in 2019.
What followed was a video game come to life.
The Tiger offense blasted the rest of college football with record-setting numbers. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw 60 touchdown passes. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson each topped 1500 yards receiving. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire went over 1400 rushing. It was an absolute clinic as LSU stampeded their way to a national championship and a 14-1 record.
This success made Brady a household name overnight among football fans. It didn’t take long for the NFL to come calling. New head coach Matt Rhule of the Carolina Panthers lured him to the pros as their offensive coordinator. A prime opportunity for him to chase the possibility of becoming a head coach at the top level. Thus far the results can best be called mixed.
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Joe Brady is making do with what he has
While many are quick to pin the blame on him for the mediocre status of the Panthers offense, the scheme doesn’t appear to be their biggest issue. It’s personnel. Part of the problem is Brady hasn’t had star running back Christian McCaffrey for all but six games the past two years. In those games, the Panthers are averaging 24.5 points per game. He’s also had average quarterbacks in the form of Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold.
Even so, Bridgewater set a career-high in 2020 with 3,733 yards passing. Two different receivers topped 1,000 yards that year. The reality is Joe Brady is the same as any other coach. Capable up to a point but unable to excel without adequate talent. That said, his stock has sagged somewhat since it peaked two years ago. Brady is only 32-years old. Is he ready to take over a football team of his own?
That is the most difficult question to answer.
He’s only been a top NFL assistant for two years. The guy is still younger than several NFL veterans. So it would be a challenge for him to command a locker room. That isn’t to say he can’t, but that is often the big fear with a coach so young. He may not have the experience necessary to manage different personalities. Brady is what draft experts would call a boom-or-bust prospect. He has a chance to become the next big thing in this league. Or he could fail spectacularly.
