Ohio State lost one of the great college football head coaches in the last 25 years when Urban Meyer retired on Tuesday. His decision isn't surprising considering the recent speculation about his health, but his story may not be over yet. At age 54, Meyer will still find coaching opportunities in the future if he wants them.
As a long-time follower of Ohio State football, I believe Meyer is done as a head coach. The stress of the job both at the college and pro level would be a huge health risk for him. However, there may be opportunities in the NFL that appeal to Meyer. Here is a look at three NFL teams that would be a fit for Urban Meyer in some capacity:
3. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns will be rebuilding much of its coaching staff this offseason, and it would make a lot of sense for the Browns to pursue Meyer for a variety of reasons. First, Meyer's obvious, strong ties to the state of Ohio will be appealing to both the now former Buckeyes head coach and the Browns. Second, if paired with an organized, high-level head coach, Meyer will be able to focus on developing the Browns' young quarterback and receivers without the added stress that comes with most NFL jobs.
Finally, an offensive job with the Browns also comes with little pressure. Meyer has plenty of street cred in Cleveland, and as long as the offensive skill positions develop over time, he'll be fine.
The key is for Urban Meyer to find a job that alleviates the stress that comes with a head coaching job. He still owns one of the best minds in the sport. Coaching in Cleveland will keep him close to home and in a prime situation help the Browns finally post a winning season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the one team where I actually believe Meyer would consider a head coaching job. The Steelers bring a certain level of stability to the table that no other franchise outside of New England will provide.
It's beginning to look like current head coach Mike Tomlin could be on the hot seat in Pittsburgh. If the Steelers and Tomlin part ways, Pittsburgh would be a prime location for Meyer to land. The franchise's stability would ensure that Meyer has the support around him to share the load that comes with leading the Steelers on the field.
There is another draw for the Steelers as well: Dwayne Haskins. It's not guaranteed that the current Ohio State quarterback will be back next year. There are some flaws in his game, but his ceiling is high, and Haskins could come at a cheaper price in the upcoming draft compared to if he stays another year.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has hinted at retirement over the last couple of years, and it's safe to say he's shown signs of wearing down several times in the last three seasons. Retirement is coming for Roethlisberger, and drafting a quarterback with a similar toolbox like Haskins makes a lot of sense.
The Steelers' reputation for building solid coaching staffs and drafting well would put Meyer in a stable position with substantial support. Getting to develop his quarterback from Ohio State would mean starting his NFL coaching career with one of his guys at the helm.
This idea has loopholes. The Steelers haven't fired a head coach since Chuck Noll took over. We don't know when Roethlisberger will finally hang it up, and we can't forget about 2018 draft pick, Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh drafted the former Oklahoma State quarterback last season as the heir apparent to Roethlisberger. We don't know if the Steelers still feel that way about him.
That said, the Steelers remain the one franchise I can see Meyer taking his shot as an NFL head coach.
1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers would be foolish to ignore Meyer on the free agent market. Meyer's experience coaching offensive football would be invaluable for a franchise that has become a bit predictable on offense. Again, let me stress that it's doubtful Meyer ever works as a head coach again. However, he would be an excellent fit as an offensive coordinator, consultant, etc.
Green Bay features a young wide receiver corps that fits right into Meyer's wheelhouse. His history as a wide receiver's coach would really help Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers get more out of his targets.
Meyer would also be an asset for developing Rodgers's backup, DeShone Kizer. The Browns gave up on the talented Kizer too soon. He possesses some of the attributes that several recent Ohio State and Florida quarterbacks have featured. Kizer needs someone like Meyer who understands how to develop a player with his skill-set.
Other options
There are several other options as well if Meyer finds the right place to be, including the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions. With the exception of a few high-profile franchises, Meyer would likely only consider a lower stress environment. If Meyer makes the jump, look for coordinator or consultant positions that offer him chances to work with individual players.
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