NFL head coaches are well aware of how precarious their jobs can be — if last season didn’t make that clear, nothing will. There were a record-tying 10 head-coaching firings during or after the campaign, affecting nearly a third of the league, and that wave of turnover could ripple into future years.
Here are the coaches whose jobs look the most vulnerable right now:
7) Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
It feels harsh to put Sirianni here — the Eagles remain legitimate Super Bowl contenders — but owner Jeffrey Lurie has shown he can make abrupt, unexpected moves. Criticism will focus on Sirianni’s recent offensive staffing decisions (including hiring 34-year-old first-time coordinator Sean Mannion) and whether he can fully leverage one of the league’s deeper rosters; anything less than a title run will invite scrutiny.
6) Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Canales was brought in largely to unlock Bryce Young’s potential, but progress has been incremental. With Young entering Year 4, the urgency to show he’s a franchise QB is rising. Carolina’s weak division gives some margin for error, but the Panthers only finished 8-9 last year — good enough on tiebreaks — and failing to climb above .500 could prompt owner David Tepper to consider a reset.
5) Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts looked like a breakthrough story through much of last season (8-2 at the bye), but Daniel Jones’ Week 14 Achilles tear preceded a seven-game losing skid that left Steichen’s future in question. With Jones expected healthy, ownership will anticipate a return to form; if Indianapolis can’t end its multi-year playoff drought, Steichen may not survive.
4) Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bowles has produced middling records in Tampa, consistently hovering in the 8–10 win range. Last season’s 8-9 finish felt underwhelming in a division that yielded a winner at .500-plus, and Tampa’s defense — Bowles’ area of strength — has been merely average recently. With Baker Mayfield’s contract situation resolved, the front office has committed to him; continued mediocrity could lead to pairing Mayfield with a new coach.
3) Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Glenn might be the most precarious name here. He survived a rocky first year, then tore down his staff, took over defensive playcalling and overhauled the roster. Still, the Jets remain one of the league’s weaker clubs, and bringing back a 35-year-old Geno Smith at quarterback is a controversial choice. Glenn probably needs a markedly better Year 2 to keep his job; a high draft pick at QB in 2027 could trigger a coaching change.
2) Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor is a perennial candidate for this list, and the closer he gets to the end of his contract (through 2027), the louder the questions will be. The Bengals haven’t reached the playoffs since 2022, yet they have a top-tier QB in Joe Burrow, who is still only 29 — a wasted championship window would be unacceptable to ownership. A bad start this season would intensify calls to move on from Taylor after eight seasons.
1) Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Quinn ranks as the most at-risk coach entering his third season. Expectations have risen with Jayden Daniels back under center, but Washington still lacks reliable weapons, has an iffy offensive line and was poor defensively last year. Quinn replaced both coordinators in the offseason — a typical sign of a coach trying to make a last stand — and is banking on Daniels and rookie offensive coordinator David Blough to unlock the offense. A slow start could see Quinn shown the door quickly.
Fan take: Coaching instability matters because it directly affects the development of young quarterbacks and the continuity of teams; constant turnover can stall promising rebuilds and frustrate fans hoping for progress. If front offices continue to chase quick fixes, the league could see more short coaching tenures and a cycle of resets that reshape team-building strategies across the NFL.
Source: www.foxsports.com
