The Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets were clearly the two worst teams in the NFL this season, so it's fitting that both of their coaches were let go at the end of the season in favor of hiring Urban Meyer and Robert Saleh, respectively.
Surprisingly enough, both teams have already hired new coaches and are looking to turn their franchises around.
The Jaguars hired a college football legend in Meyer, and the Jets hired a respected defensive coordinator from the San Francisco 49ers in Saleh.
The question remains, who is going to impress more as a first-year head coach?
That is going to depend on a few factors. Let's take a look.
1. NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is an NFL team's one-stop-shop to improve their roster with young, exciting, talent.
The Jaguars finished last, so they will get the first overall pick.
With that pick, they will surely select Trevor Lawrence, the most hyped prospect to enter the NFL in recent memory.
Lawrence has been a college phenom who has all of the tools to be an excellent franchise quarterback which will be a huge bonus for first-year head coach Urban Meyer.
The Jets and Robert Saleh will have the second overall selection, which is still good in theory, but puts Saleh at a disadvantage compared to Urban Meyer.
The Jets will most likely go one of two ways. They can decide to give Sam Darnold another chance at quarterback and take the left tackle from Oregon, Peneii Sewell, or they can cut ties with Darnold and draft a quarterback- either Justin Fields or Zach Wilson.
Regardless of who they pick, the Jets get the consolation prize of this draft.
Getting Trevor Lawrence gives Urban Meyer an immediate advantage.
2. Free Agency
Both teams should be very active in free agency considering both of these teams could use a significant amount of help.
The Jaguars have some solid offensive weapons and really only need a quarterback to put it all together. James Robinson rushed for over 1,000 yards, while DJ Chark & Laviska Shenault serve as a solid receiving core for a struggling team.
The Jags struggles last season were mostly on the defensive end.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the 31st ranked defense in the NFL last season, surrendering an abysmal, 417 yards per game.
The Jags had trouble against the run, ranking 30th in the NFL. Inconsistencies on their front four gave opposing teams open gaps and massive running lanes. They didn't do much better against the pass.
They ranked 27th in passing yards allowed. Rookie cornerback, CJ Henderson, had his fair share of rookie moments and will need a few years to develop into a reliable lockdown corner.
The Jags should go after players to help their defensive line and secondary if they want to get better on defense.
The Jets had trouble pretty much everywhere last season on both sides of the ball. A completely dysfunctional team that somehow managed to beat two playoff teams down the stretch last season.
The Jets' offense had trouble getting anything going all season. Other than Denzel Mims, the Jets don't have any bright spots at skill positions and will need to target some in free agency.
Both teams will need to be very active in free agency, but Jacksonville has a better foundation as of right now, Meyer gets the nod.
3. Coaching Experience
This category is the hardest to measure, but is arguably the most important.
Urban Meyer has been very successful at the college level as a head coach, but has yet to coach at the NFL level. Football is football, but even the best college coaches have struggled in the NFL.
Nick Saban, Chip Kelly, and Steve Spurrier are all examples of college coaches that have not translated well in the NFL.
Robert Saleh on the other hand has never been a head coach, but has been one of the league's best coordinators, anchoring San Francisco's defensive unit.
Saleh was a big reason for the 49ers' success in 2019, calling the plays for the league's best defensive unit.
Saleh's NFL experience may serve as the more valuable experience despite never fully calling the shots.
The edge goes to Saleh in this one.
Overall
It's no secret that both of these coaches have a lot to overcome if they want to make these teams competitive. Each of these teams has glaring holes in their rosters and are multiple players away from showing major signs of improvement.
Although Saleh may be what the Jets need to win some games, Urban Meyer is truly set up to turn the Jacksonville Jaguars around.
With Trevor Lawrence on the way and a solid offensive foundation, the Jaguars could be competitive as soon as next year. Even with an excellent free agency and draft, it's unlikely the Jets can say the same.
Both coaches have the opportunity to show the world what they can do, but Urban Meyer will be the more impressive of the two.
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