NFL Rumors: Teams Now Want ‘Culture Builders’ Over ‘Hot Play Callers’ for HC Hires | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Being an elite tactician may not be enough for a coordinator to land a head coaching gig in the NFL once the offseason starts.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on her latest episode at 6:20 Create city podcast that “there is now the culture builder trend again” when it comes to the candidates teams will consider. She contrasted that with previous hiring cycles, when “the hot play callers, the guys who can get the most out of the young quarterbacks” were targeted.

Russini cited Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as examples of the culture-building archetype.

Campbell in particular could be the kind of coach in mind for teams less enamored with hiring someone based on schemes or play-calling.

Campbell drew a lot of ridicule when he said during his introductory press conference that he wanted the Lions to have a mentality where they would “bite a kneecap off” of opponents.

But the 48-year-old clearly struck the right tone in the locker room, as the Lions have become a real Super Bowl contender in the NFC. He also adopted an organizational culture that did became rancid under his predecessor and turned it into a force.

The Lions are proof that you can win without a strategic guru as head coach, if he puts together the right staff. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have both received high praise for their individual contributions.

That’s a blueprint that teams could emulate this offseason.

Russini’s report is also interesting as it pertains to the Lions, as Johnson has developed a reputation as a very good offensive play-caller. Detroit ranks sixth in total offense (366.9 yards per game) and second in scoring (31.6 points per game).

Johnson was a sought-after candidate on the coaching carousel last year until he decided to stay in Detroit.

If NFL owners and general managers approach this year’s hiring cycle with a different outlook, its market might turn out to be a little cooler than you might expect.