Following a loss to the Carolina Panthers, extending their losing streak to seven games, the New Orleans Saints fired their head coach, Dennis Allen. This puts him in line with Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, as the second head coach fired this season. Over his 2 1/2 seasons, he had an 18-25 record. With Allen’s firing, attention shifts to several other NFL coaches who may also be on the chopping block.
Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars is under scrutiny. The Jaguars had just two seasons ago won the AFC South and reached the divisional round of playoffs. However, they now appear to be heading towards double-digit losses. Coming back to the USA after a 1-1 trip to London, they suffered immediate losses against Green Bay and Philadelphia. Questions now surround Pederson’s future with the team.
Antonio Pierce, first season head coach for the Raiders, appears to be struggling. An ex-linebacker, Pierce stepped into the head coach role midseason after Josh McDaniels was fired and lead the Raiders to a decent 5-4 finish. However, his struggles with game management and inconsistent decisions around quarterbacks have raised eyebrows. Following a loss, Pierce fired his offensive coordinator, and two assistant coaches. Speculation is mounting on whether he will make it to a second-year term.
The Cleveland Browns have suffered a noticeable regression this season which is said to be due partly to Deshaun Watson’s inability to regain his top form. Even an upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens failed to reignite the team and they immediately fell to a loss against the LA Chargers. With Watson now out for the rest of the season with injury and the Browns’ overall inefficiency, the move to fire head coach Kevin Stefanski might not be too far in the future.
Further speculation surrounds Giants’ Brian Daboll, Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy, and Bears’ Matt Eberflus. All three teams have underperformed, with claims that Daboll and McCarthy could be on extremely thin ice. Despite owner John Mara stating his commitment to Daboll, the mounting losses and continuing poor performance of Daniel Jones may yet see a change in coaching for the Giants. Meanwhile, despite owner Jerry Jones saying he’s committed to McCarthy, the fact that Cowboys continue to underperform may force his hand. The Bears, on the other hand, had initially shown encouraging developments under Eberflus, but more recent games indicate an embarrassing loss of control.
There are other coaches whose ongoing seasons have been disappointing, such as the Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel, Patriots’ Jerod Mayo, Panthers’ Dave Canales, and Titans’ Brian Callahan. Their respective teams’ underperformances might put the pressure on them. Exceptions could be made for McDaniel who had to cope with Tua Tagovailoa’s four-game absence and Callahan, given that he’s in command of a team that’s in a rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, despite firing Frank Reich, the Panthers’ Dave Canales might get an extended time to prove himself if Bryce Young builds on recent successes.
