We’re already at the halfway point of the NFL season with Week 8 underway and two head coaches already fired. With two changes made, who is the next head coach in danger of losing his job?
New York Jets coach Adam Gase is the runaway favorite to be canned next. However, he will face plenty of competition from other coaches overseeing some of the NFL’s worst teams. So, while Gase might be next to go, surprises happen.
Let’s take a look at the NFL hot seat and the five coaches in danger of being fired this season.
Heading into Week 6, Patricia was on the brink of being fired. Facing the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Lions needed to pull out a victory to keep Patricia’s seat from bursting into flames. Sure enough, Detroit won and delivered a last-second victory in Week 7.
Sitting at 3-3, the Lions are within striking distance for a playoff spot. However, the second half of their schedule will be tough. After Week 12, Detroit faces the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ultimately, this team likely finishes with a 7-9 or 8-8 record, and that will result in Patricia being fired after Week 17.
As the only winless team in the NFL, there is no coach more deserving of being fired. Since being hired by the Jets, Gase holds a 7-16 record. It’s been particularly bad this season, with the proclaimed “offensive guru” orchestrating an attack that ranks last in total yards and points.
The calls are growing louder for Gase to be axed. He is the problem in New York, and it would seem like the organization realizes that. If the Jets lose by three-plus touchdowns to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and fall to 0-8, Gase might be fired. Given this team is tanking for Trevor Lawrence, however, maybe they let him drive this into the ground for the No. 1 pick. Until he is gone, Gase will lead the NFL hot seat.
Cincinnati took a chance on Taylor in 2019, hiring the Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach. The organization hoped it found the next Sean McVay. We’re now 23 games into Taylor’s tenure, and the team has a 3-19-1 record. Quite simply, the clock is ticking.
It’s not just about the record, either. While this offense has improved slightly with Joe Burrow at quarterback and a healthy Joe Mixon, a lot of talent is being wasted. On top of that, there have been multiple issues with players calling out the coaching staff and taking extreme measures to get out. If the Bengals finish with fewer than four wins, it would be in the organization’s best interest to find a new coach.
Jacksonville stuck by Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell last offseason. Even after winning just 11 total games in the past two years, the Jaguars believed he could turn things around. Since winning in Week 1, Jacksonville hasn’t really stood a chance in games since.
It’s evident owner Shahid Khan trusts his coach and general manager, but that can only last for so long. The Jaguars are destined for a 2-14 or 3-13 record, a notable step back from their 6-10 mark in 2019. Marrone won’t be fired during the year, but no one should be surprised if he is fired the Monday after Week 17.
Mike McCarthy conned Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. After telling the team during the interview that he watched every play from the 2019 season, McCarthy admitted that it was a lie during his introductory press conference. As for the self-evaluation and changes he made after being fired by the Green Bay Packers, he looks like the same coach as before.
The dysfunctional in Dallas is legitimate. Players are calling out the coaching staff, highlighting some of McCarthy’s baffling in-game decisions. Injuries have played a key role in the team’s 2-5 record, but McCarthy’s laughable hiring of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is the bigger problem. Given how loyal Jones is, even if the Cowboys finish 3-13, McCarthy will likely avoid a one-and-done exit. However, the hot seat would be scorching in Dallas heading into 2021.
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