You are correct in that we aren't going to playoffs. Thats ok. We would have been new extra wildcard, 7th seed, and lost our first round game. We are just not there yet. In any year other than this one, we are a fringe team...maybe 8-8 and no playoffs. Thats ok too.
That means that next year is due or die for KK and SK. Kyler has improved from year 1 to year 2. We will go from a 5-10 team to a 8-8 team. The rookie deal window is closing. The Larry Fitz window is closing. The expectation for the FO and coaches next year better be a playoff win, not leading the league in penalties, and finally seeing this "revolutionary" offense and a competent defense. Both sides of the ball will have had 2 years to get "their system" going, and if we still have players that can't run the system, that's on Keim.
The reason I keep some hope is that I do feel like we lose a lot of game...meaning we give them away. We shoot ourselves in the foot both with execution and game management...that we should have won 3 more games last year, and at least 2 more this year so far.
IF, and its the huge IF that will determine KK's career as an NFL coach, those guys can flip a switch in year 3 and stop killing our own chances, we could vary well be a division winner next year, and a handful in the playoffs. If we were able to become a tough minded, disciplined football team that rarely made mistakes, on top of our talent...we would make a huge jump into the upper 1/4 of the NFL.