NFL Roundtable: Rating the Hue Jackson Hire

The Cleveland Browns made it clear from the start who they wanted as their new head coach and they got him, swiping offensive coordinator Hue Jackson away from the division and state rival Cincinnati Bengals.  The NFL Mocks crew weighed in with their thoughts on the hire and whether it was good or bad for the organization.

Eric Robinson:

Home run!!!! Hue Jackson was the best candidate out there in my opinion. Huge for the city of Cleveland and that team as well. Plus, he knows the division. May crank up the Bengals/Browns rivalry a little bit.

Brady Lunt:

Great signing for Cleveland. They have often been a dysfunctional organization that isn’t a prime destination for coaches or free agents. Signing Hue Jackson is a massive step in changing all of that. He could attract more talented free agents and help this offense become much more dangerous.

Shawn Spencer:

The addition of Jackson makes me wonder if the Browns would trade down from the number two pick and select North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz later in the round. Jackson has had success with Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton as his quarterbacks. For the most part, these are guys who entered the league with fairly strong arms, deceptive athleticism and were good decision makers. Those traits describe Carson Wentz much more than they do Paxton Lynch or Jared Goff.

Erik Lambert:

This is the first head coaching hire in recent memory that genuinely feels smart and well-thought out by the Cleveland Browns.  They needed somebody with experience, and most importantly understanding of the quarterback position.  Hue Jackson offers both.  Best of all he’s familiar with coaching in an environment that involves an active ownership, given his sole season of work in Oakland back when Al Davis was alive.