NFL coaching hot seat: 5 head coaches whose jobs are on the line

Seven head coaches lost their jobs last season, and we can expect a similar number to be let go this campaign.

Here are five coaches who must flip the script this year to avoid hitting the open market:

Shane Steichen, Colts

The Colts released a statement after the 2024 season finale indicating that Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard would return for the 2025 campaign. Whenever an organization feels the need to let fans know its coach isn't going anywhere, the hourglass has been turned over.

Indy's offense ranks 24th in success rate during Steichen's two-year tenure, according to Ben Baldwin's database. The Colts brought in the former Philadelphia Eagles play-caller to elevate the offense, and they haven't gotten the results they were hoping for. Yes, the quarterback play has been mediocre at best, but developing Anthony Richardson was Steichen's primary task, and the coaching staff has failed to accomplish that. Steichen has now decided to roll with Daniel Jones as his starter after the Colts signed the signal-caller to a one-year deal this offseason.

The 28-year-old Jones is 24-44-1 as an NFL starter and ranked 28th among 31 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA/play over the last two years, and it's hard to believe Steichen can resurrect Jones' career. Jim Irsay's three daughters now own the Colts following his passing in May, and they likely won't hesitate to clean house and build the team in their vision if the 2025 season follows a similar pattern to previous years.

Thermometer: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (out of five)

Brian Daboll, Giants

Daboll's tenure as the Giants' head coach has spiraled downward after a divisional round appearance in his first season at the helm. New York has a 9-25 record since.

Joe Schoen and the Giants' front office have invested a significant amount of resources in the defensive line that should shine in 2025, but Daboll needs to get the offense back on track. New York ranks 30th in EPA/play from 2023 to 2024 and has averaged less than 16 points per game during that stretch. The quarterback play should improve with Russell Wilson expected to be the Week 1 starter, but he was available for only $10.5 million this offseason and is no longer considered a top-tier signal-caller. Outside of the quarterback position, the Giants returned 10 of their offensive starters from last season.

The franchise moved up in the first round to select Jaxson Dart in the 2025 draft, but he might not see the field this year. He's undoubtedly the future under center for New York, and ownership will have to decide if they believe Daboll is the best coach to lead his development.

Thermometer: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Zac Taylor, Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a combined 1-11 in Weeks 1 and 2 under Taylor. Their slow start to the 2024 campaign crippled them, and winning their last five games wasn't enough to secure a playoff spot.

Unless the Bengals get off the ground running this year, Taylor could feel the heat. The offense has all the talent a head coach can ask for - Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are arguably the best quarterback and wide receiver combination in the league.

The defense doesn't have a ton of talent, and its best player, Trey Hendrickson, is currently holding out, but Taylor already fired his longtime defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo. Coaches usually don't get a chance to hire a third defensive coordinator, so Taylor needs Al Golden to create immediate success.

Cincinnati's 18-16 record over the last two seasons has to have ownership on its toes. The Bengals have invested a significant amount of money in their offense and have to capitalize on Burrow's prime. If the Bengals' head coaching job became vacant after this season, any offensive mind in the NFL would jump at the opportunity to fill it.

Thermometer: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Mike McDaniel, Dolphins

McDaniel is entering his fourth season as head coach and is considered one of the league's top offensive minds. When Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy over the last three years, the offense has produced solid numbers. However, Tagovailoa suffered a severe concussion last campaign, and the team struggled in his absence and missed the playoffs.

McDaniel has guided the Dolphins to a 28-23 record with zero postseason victories. Miami has ranked inside the top 11 in cash spending in each of McDaniel's four years, according to Spotrac. Ownership could get impatient with the 42-year-old if he doesn't generate playoff success this season, especially if the Dolphins get off to a slow start. They'll play three divisional games in their first four contests, and a couple of losses early on would make McDaniel's seat hot.

Thermometer: 🔥🔥🔥​​​​​​

Kevin Stefanski, Browns

Stefanski has won the Coach of the Year award twice since joining the Browns in 2020, but he still holds a losing record in five seasons. Cleveland is coming off a 3-14 campaign, and the franchise seems to be heading in the wrong direction.

The Browns have the second-toughest schedule this season, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Cleveland's first five games of the year are against teams with a combined 61-24 regular-season record in 2024. There's a realistic scenario in which Cleveland is 0-5 heading into a divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cleveland acquired the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2026 first-round pick in April, giving the Browns the ammo to move up in next year's draft to select a signal-caller. If they don't see Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel as the franchise's answer, the Haslam family may want a clean slate of offensive coaches to pair with a new quarterback.

Thermometer: 🔥🔥🔥​​​​​​