The NFL has made a change to the Rooney Rule, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported. The update will now require teams to interview an outside, diverse candidate for the team's quarterback coach job.
There has been a change in the Rooney Rule: The QB coach job is now subject to the Rooney Rule. That means it requires an outside interview with a diverse candidate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 24, 2022
The NFL implemented the Rooney Rule back in 2003, as it was designed to provide more opportunity for minority coaches. At the time of the rule, there were just two minority coaches in the NFL in Tony Dungy and Herm Edwards. Since, plenty have been hired, including Steelers HC Mike Tomlin who will likely end up in the Hall of Fame some day.
On the front, the rule did its job, as the league continues to be more diverse in coaching circles. This update to the rule is the league's latest efforts to continue that upwards trend. While those are some of the positives of the rule, there still seems to be a lack of minority coaches throughout the league. Even in cases where there are minority coaches, they aren't always getting the best treatment.
A prime example of this is the ongoing lawsuit from Brian Flores against the NFL. Flores specifically filed a discrimination lawsuit, just the latest proof that perhaps the Rooney Rule isn't fulfilling its intentions. After getting fired by the Dolphins, Flores had an interview set up with the Giants. Patriots HC Bill Belicheck sent a text congratulating Flores before he even had the interview, as he texted the wrong Brian.
Fortunately, Flores was eventually hired by the Steelers as the team's linebackers coach. While the NFL's latest change to the Rooney Rule can't hurt, we've seen this movie before with the HC position. Additionally, it was a move likely made in response to Flores' lawsuit.
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