Best Fit for Andy Reid

Word on the street is Andy Reid wants to get back into coaching right away.  The former Philadelphia Eagles head coach of 14 years has already said that he wants back on the sidelines.  Some say he should take a season off and regroup.  Others say he may not want to coach again for a while and probably shouldn't.  But it's no surprise to me that coach Reid wants a new football home immediately and will find one soon enough.

There isn't much that's going to keep Andy Reid away from the football field.  Reid didn't miss any time with the Eagles when his sons were arrested on separate drug chargers in 2007.  And when his eldest son, Garrett was found dead in August of 2012, the coach was right back with the team and didn't miss a game.  The point is that Andy Reid loves football and needs the game to survive.  He's been doing this for his entire life and can be viewed as all he knows.  This could be the reason why he chose to keep coaching and not take any time off during those unfortunate and tragic incidents with his children.  I'm not knocking Andy Reid for it, I'm simply saying that football has and always will be his life line and his outlet from a separate reality.

Now that we know he'll be roaming the sidelines for another organization in the 2013 season, what's the best fit for him?  First of all anybody who thinks Andy Reid can't get a head coaching job in the NFL, especially given all the current vacancies, is just nuts.  He will get a job in the league, no question.  With that in mind I don't see him going to a team that isn't at least half way built for a Super Bowl run.  But most importantly, Andy Reid will want to go to a team that has an established quarterback because he more than anyone knows the value of that position.  He'll also want to have some say so in personnel moves so a good relationship with management is as must.

Unfortunately for Reid, none of the elite QB's in this league are without a head coach on their teams.  So we look at second level quarterbacks or those who have the tools to get the job done with proper coaching and talent surrounding them.  The two teams that jump out immediately are the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers.  But which team fits Reid better and where would he want to go?

First a look at the Chargers.  This is where I initially thought Reid would end up when it was evident that both the Eagles and Chargers seasons were over back in November.  San Diego has the quarterback, a decent group of wide receivers and no running game which is perfect for Reid because he doesn't run the ball anyway.  His only competition in the division would be with the Denver Broncos but Peyton will probably retire in a couple years so that may not be a huge factor.  Plus it's the best weather in the country and a great place to live.  The Chargers have been a throwing team for years so this offense is right up Andy's alley.  Plus the Chargers also fired A.J. Smith so Reid may be given some G.M. duties as well.

I must admit I was a bit surprised when the Bears let Lovie Smith go after a (10-6) season.  I mean, if the Bears made the playoffs at (10-6) there's no way management would have fired Smith.  So when it comes down to it, the Vikings win over the Packers on a last second field goal got Lovie Smith fired.  Nevertheless, there is a vacancy at the head coach position in the Windy City.  So does Andy Reid fit in Chicago?

The answer is absolutely yes!  I know Cutler, much like Phillip Rivers isn't a top notch quarterback but they are better than most.  He has an elite wide receiver in Brandon Marshall with a duel threat at running back.  Reid has used guys like Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy successfully as pass catchers out of the backfield so he'll know what to do with Matt Forte and his versatility.  The Bears still have a very good defense despite their age and one of the better special teams units in the league.  The NFC North is a better division then the AFC West but I think Reid would be very intrigued by the Bears head coaching position.

If I had to decide right now I'd say he takes the Bears job.  But then again there is always the possibility of Reid being reunited with Kevin Kolb down in Arizona.  Why he would want to do that is beyond me but apparently Reid is interested.  The Cardinals do have a very tough defense and solid special teams play.  Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best wide outs n the NFL but needs consistency at the QB position.  If Kolb stays healthy he can be successful with the help of Fitz, Andre Roberts and 1st round draft pick Michael Floyd.  Two major issues for the Cardinals are the lack of a running game and perhaps the worst offensive line in the league.  Management needs to get guys on the offensive line that know how to play football and block for the quarterback.  If they can fix that problem then Arizona could be a legit team.