There is an old saying that says that NFL means “Not For Long”, and that has already been the case this year for NFL head coaches. Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen have already been relieved of their duties, and several other coaches are likely to join them in the coming months.
a number of NFL Coaches are in a bind as we enter the tenth week of the regular season. More coaches could join them if things go wrong in the coming weeks. What makes things more discouraging for each coach is the fact that six times Super Bowl Champion head coach Bill Belichick is available and expected to be in the running for several head coaching jobs this offseason.
Which coaches could be out of a job when the regular season ends (if not before)? Here is a ranking of the coaches who are or will soon find themselves on the bench. For each coach, we have assigned a point rating based on the probability of him being fired (10 is the highest, 1 is the lowest).
10. Dave Canales, Panthers
Canales probably isn’t going anywhere, but he was included on this list as Panthers owner David Tepper changes coaches more than Sean Payton. change Juicy Fruit bars.
It has been a difficult season for Canales and the Panthers (2-7). But things are looking a little better after last Sunday’s upset win over the Saints, in which former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young earned the third victory of his career. Canales will only help his cause if he and Young can continue moving forward together over the final eight games of the season.
Hot seat rating: 2
9. Nick Syrianni, Eagles
Syrianni is likely safe. The Eagles (6-2) have won four straight and are battling the Commanders for the NFC East crown. It would take a late-season collapse similar to what Philadelphia suffered last year for Sirianni’s job to be in serious jeopardy.
Philadelphia’s remaining schedule isn’t the easiest, with upcoming matchups against Washington (6-2), Pittsburgh (6-2), Baltimore (5-3) and the sudden Los Angeles Rams (4-4).
Hot seat rating: 2
8. Mike McDaniel, Dolphins
Like Sirianni, McDaniel’s employment status does not appear to be in jeopardy at this time. Obviously, McDaniel can help his cause by winning some games during the second half of the season.
The Dolphins are currently 2-6 and have lost three straight games. They are 0-2 with Tua Tagovailoa back in the lineup, although they were much more competitive in those games. Miami has five games left against teams with losing records, so a strong finish is certainly possible, as long as the Dolphins don’t suffer more significant injuries.
Hot seat rating: 2.5
7. Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year, but this year hasn’t been his best work. The Browns’ season essentially ended during last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers that left them 2-7 entering their Week 10 bye.
Injuries (especially on the offensive line) and dismal quarterback play have largely told the story of the Browns’ season so far. Stefanski can’t control injuries, and while he has to take some of the blame for the failed Deshaun Watson experiment, Stefanski has shown he can have success with other quarterbacks.
Stefanski’s past success will likely give him some capital and keep him safe this offseason. But like the previous two coaches mentioned, Stefanski can obviously help his case by winning as many games as he can from now on. Cleveland has two games left against the Steelers, one against the Ravens and one against the two-time defending champions. Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Hot seat rating: 3
6. Brian Daboll, Giants
Alright, now we have officially reached the coaches who are undoubtedly in the hot seat. Giants owner John Mara reportedly wants to be patient with his staff. Obviously, that’s a good sign for Daboll, who is approaching his second losing season in three years.
Barring a complete collapse, it’s conceivable that Daboll will return next year, but other changes are likely to come for both Daboll and the Giants’ roster. Daniel Jones could play elsewhere next year, and Daboll could be asked to relinquish his play-calling duties.
Hot seat rating: 4.3
There have been rumors that Patriots brass have had second thoughts about Mayo’s promotion following Belichick’s departure. If those rumors are true, it’s safe to say the team’s 2-7 start hasn’t helped Mayo’s standing with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
New England has struggled so far under Mayo, but that was largely expected given the team’s obvious roster deficiencies and having a rookie quarterback under center. It helps that the Patriots have played better in recent weeks, beating the Jets in Week 8 and losing a close game to the Titans last Sunday.
Mayo will likely be safe this year, but the Patriots will have to make a jump in 2025 if Mayo is going to exist in 2026.
Hot seat rating: 4.5
4. Matt Eberflus, Bears
Eberflus gained some momentum after “Hard Knocks,” his new hairstyle and Chicago’s 4-2 start with No. 1 overall Caleb Williams playing well. Chicago’s two-game losing streak, however, has put it in trouble again.
Now 4-4, the Bears will have to be competitive down the stretch for Eberflus to keep his job. The prospect of that happening doesn’t look good as the Bears only have two games left against teams with losing records.
Eberflus could be safe if the Bears finish with seven or eight wins and Williams shows significant signs of improvement over the final two months of the season. But that may not even be enough to keep his job.
Hot seat rating: 6
3. Doug Pederson, Jaguars
Jacksonville is 3-12 since starting 8-3 last season. It’s gotten so bad that Pederson had to answer questions about whether or not he had lost the locker room after just four games.
Compounding the loss has been the decline of Trevor Lawrence. The former No. 1 overall pick is completing a career-low 61.3% of his passes with just 11 touchdowns in nine games. Jacksonville ends the year with five games against teams with a losing record, but its next three opponents have a combined record of 19-6.
Barring one incredible turnaround, the Jaguars are facing their fifth double-digit losing season since 2018. Peterson has yet to have a losing season in Jacksonville, but he likely won’t return next year given how poorly things have gone this year.
Hot seat rating: 7.5
2. Antonio Pierce, Raiders
All the goodwill Pierce built up after last year’s 5-4 finish as the Raiders’ interim coach appears to have run out. The team parted ways with several assistants on Monday, and Pierce will likely follow soon.
The Raiders are 2-7 in nine games and are currently on a five-game losing streak. Las Vegas traded Davante Adams several weeks ago, has a shaky quarterback situation and a defense that has forced just five turnovers. The Raiders need a complete roster overhaul, which will likely lead to a coaching change.
Could that coach be Belichick? That could happen, given Tom Brady’s new role as the Raiders’ minority owner and Belichick’s desire to return to the sideline. It helps that the Raiders have a rich history. Belichick could add to his already brilliant legacy by leading the silver and black team back to glory.
Hot seat rating: 8.5
1. Mike McCarthy, cowboys
McCarthy is essentially an outgoing coach. The Cowboys are 3-5 and McCarthy is in the final year of his contract. He will be looking for a new job this winter unless he can turn things around quickly.
However, that doesn’t seem possible unless Cooper Rush can duplicate the success he had in 2022 while playing in relief of the injured Dak Prescott. But that Cowboys team was much better than his current team. The 2024 Cowboys have a litany of problems and a tough second-half schedule, with two games each against the Commanders and Eagles, plus matchups with the Texans and Bengals.
Speaking of Belichick, his name has been circulated as a possible replacement for McCarthy. It’s safe to assume that Jerry Jones would jump at the chance to hire the future Hall of Fame coach if the opportunity presented itself. That possibility alone may force Jones to part ways with McCarthy, who is likely done in Dallas despite leading the team to three straight 12-win seasons from 2021-23.
Hot seat rating: 9.2
