Every year there are a ton of NFL head coaches that wind up being fired. This year there are a multitude of head coaches that already find themselves on the hot seat before they even take the field for their first game. If these teams struggle in 2016, which NFL head coaches could soon find themselves unemployed?
- Jeff Fisher (Los Angeles Rams)
This one seems obvious for many reasons. In four seasons with the Rams Fisher has a record of 27-36-1. After a disappointing year in 2016, I find it hard to believe that he can keep his job without being a playoff contender in 2016. Fisher, a defensive minded head coach, could be ousted for a offensive minded guy that can right the ship for rookie quarterback Jared Goff.
2. Rex Ryan (Buffalo Bills)
The Rex Ryan fad has certainly faded in just one season with the Bills. Ryan faces enormous pressure to end a 16 year playoff drought in his second season. Buffalo also somehow got worse defensively in 2015 compared to the year prior. This could end up being a situation where the Bills fire Ryan for the anticipated promotion of offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
3. Jim Caldwell (Detroit Lions)
Caldwell was almost fired last season but was ultimately kept by new gm Bob Quinn. That probably doesn’t mean any long term security however and could need an even better season in 2016 in order to keep his job. Caldwell’s offense is very predictable and always ends up ranking near the bottom in every rushing statistical category every year.
4. Gus Bradley (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The time is now in Jacksonville. After picking them to win the AFC South, the expectations have never been higher. Bradley’s team has flat out stunk in 3 years under his reign so an expected improvement has to take place for him to keep his job. Anything less than 9 wins and Bradley might be looking for a job elsewhere.
5. Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)
I’m sorry but how long are the Bengals going to keep Marvin Lewis without him registering a playoff win. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1993 and Lewis is responsible for an 0-5 playoff record. If they fail to win a playoff game again this year will it finally be enough to can Lewis?
6. Mike McCoy (San Diego Chargers)
I wouldn’t be surprised if McCoy loses his job by week 4. The Chargers went 4-12 a year ago and have a franchise quarterback. Frankly there is no excuse for that. A coaching change could certainly lift the spirits of Philip Rivers.
7. Mike Mularkey (Tennessee Titans)
Nothing is more blasphemous than when I heard the Titans decided to hire interim coach Mike Mularkey to be their head coach. Mularkey has a career record of 18-39 as a head coach. The Titans do have aspirations on winning right? Mularkey has always been known as a run first guy but it is something that could spell his demise if quarterback Marcus Mariota fails to progress.
8. Chuck Pagano (Indianapolis Colts)
When you think about it I can’t really understand why Pagano was retained heading into 2016. Pagano, a defensive minded coach, has had terrible defensive units during his time with Indy. During Pagano’s coaching tenure the Colts have been carried by Andrew Luck. Getting him a real play-caller may be the smart choice for Indy.
9. John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens)
Okay so this may be a stretch but are we really so sure it can’t happen? It’s now been 2 years since the Ravens made the playoffs, something unheard of when Harbs first took over. The expectations around the building expect this team to bounce back in a big way. The problem is that probably won’t happen, this is one of the worst rosters in football. Harbaugh is my surprise coaching fire of the year.
