NFL Coaches Face Pressure as Owners Watch Records
No head coaches have been fired yet this season, but several teams with poor records are monitoring performance closely before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
By Oliver Bennett ·
NFL general managers have shown patience this season by not firing any head coaches yet. This stands in contrast to the previous three years, where at least one coach was dismissed before Week 9 in each season. Despite the current lack of head coaching turnover, the Indianapolis Colts made a major change by letting general manager Chris Ballard go.
The league has seen a high rate of coaching changes recently. A total of 24 teams have replaced their head coaches since 2023. With the trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, owners are evaluating their staffs to decide if they need to make moves before the end of the season.
Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets sits at 5 and 20. He is unlikely to keep his job unless the team wins seven or eight of its final nine games. The Jets hold three first round picks in 2027. The team may use these assets to acquire more draft capital before the trade deadline.
Jim Harbaugh leads the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 0 and 7. This is a sharp drop from the previous two seasons when the team went 11 and 6. The decision to hire Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator has not worked out well. Quarterback Justin Herbert has also struggled. If Harbaugh remains, he will need a new offensive coordinator.
Dan Quinn of the Washington Commanders is in a tricky spot. He took the team to the NFC championship game in his first season two years ago. The team finished 5 and 12 last year and is currently 2 and 4 and 1. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed games last season and is dealing with injuries now. The Commanders are only two games behind the New York Giants in a weak division.
Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers survived a start of 0 and 4. The team has since won two straight and three of its last four games. Bowles won his division in his first three seasons. However, the team collapsed last year after starting 6 and 2 to finish 8 and 9. A one game playoff run may not be enough to secure his position.
Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts is in a rebuilding mode after the loss of the general manager. The Colts are 2 and 6. All Pro guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner have already been traded. Running back Jonathan Taylor may be next. It is difficult to judge Steichen in a rebuilding year. He did not reach the playoffs in his first three seasons and finished with a record of 9 and 8 or better only once.
Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys faces pressure because the team was expected to contend. The Cowboys are 3 and 5 and are not consistent. Their defensive issues have persisted despite a new coordinator. Owner Jerry Jones prefers to keep coaches he is already paying, but Dallas needs a strong finish to the season.
Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles has lost six straight games. He has won three division titles, two NFC championships, and a Super Bowl. He reached the playoffs in five straight seasons. Jalen Hurts is out for the season. Lane Johnson retired. Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith missed games. The team is using Joe Milton III, a former practice squad player, to lead the offense. The Eagles fired Doug Pederson three years after his Super Bowl win. The organization has high standards and an impatient front office.
