The ultimate week of the common season has arrived, and you may sense these pink slips being ready for Black Monday.
Three NFL coaches have been fired in the course of the season, and one other 5 to seven could also be knowledgeable in coming days that it’s time to depart the premises.
Getting phrase to fulfill with possession received’t be a shock to some coaches, as they don’t have any actual likelihood of swaying anyone’s thoughts. A pair others might discover themselves within the dreaded “time for a change” dilemma.
Considered one of these coaches is likely to be telling his bosses that he’s going elsewhere.
Let’s look at the coaches who’re on the new seat.
Doug Pederson, Jaguars
There may be zero likelihood that Pederson received’t be proven the door with Jacksonville (4-12) experiencing a disastrous season. The Jaguars are 5-17 relationship again to their 2023 late-season collapse as they enter Sunday’s finale. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence additionally has taken backward steps throughout Pederson’s tenure. That Tremendous Bowl crown Pederson received with the Eagles within the 2017 season isn’t going to avoid wasting him.
Brian Daboll, Giants
Brian Daboll. supply: Getty Photos He’ll at all times be remembered (not fondly) for this season’s franchise-record 10-game shedding streak. Daboll caught with Daniel Jones longer than any coach ought to have, however loyalty doesn’t win you video games. Guessing Daboll tries to keep away from Saquon Barkley’s dashing numbers every day. This season’s 3-13 mark is strictly what the Giants have earned, and it’ll ship Daboll out the door.
Antonio Pierce, Raiders
Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce celebrates after the Raiders made a play in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the course of the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photos This was his first full season as coach, and he was given Gardner Minshew as his beginning quarterback. What might go flawed there? Las Vegas is 4-12, and Pierce botched some game-management conditions (the Chiefs say thanks, coach). With Tom Brady concerned in possession right here, you possibly can anticipate Pierce to be jobless actual quickly. If the Raiders are going to start out over with a brand new quarterback—Aidan O’Connell is the in-house choice—they should even have a brand new coach.
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy seems to be protected from an in-season transfer by proprietor Jerry Jones. Obligatory Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Photos This guarantees to be fairly the circus with McCarthy’s contract expiring mid-month and proprietor Jerry Jones waffling on whether or not or to not maintain him. McCarthy can take into consideration his potential subsequent cease—Jets? Giants? Saints? Colts?—and use it as leverage. After all, Dallas went 12-5 and reached the playoffs thrice below McCarthy when Dak Prescott was wholesome. That they had shedding data in McCarthy’s different two seasons, together with 7-9 thus far this season.
Shane Steichen, Colts
Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen previous to a sport in opposition to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photos His second season could possibly be his remaining one, as proprietor Jim Irsay has by no means been identified for persistence. That gamble the place the Colts took Anthony Richardson fourth total within the 2023 draft has been a catastrophe. There’s a greater likelihood of Richardson hitting a fan within the stands with the ball than a Colts receiver with that incorrect arm of his. The true downside for Steichen is being eradicated from the playoffs by the lowly Giants, who have been averaging 14.3 factors and put 45 on the board. A loss Sunday to go 7-10 ought to safe his exit.
Jerod Mayo, Patriots
Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo in the course of the second half in opposition to the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports activities Firing a coach after one season seldom appears truthful, however here’s what occurs if New England retains Mayo: They win 4 or fewer video games in 2025. His 3-13 mark is brutal, and the Patriots deliver a six-game shedding streak into Sunday’s finale. After all, proprietor Robert Kraft may really feel embarrassed to have to fireside Mayo after final January’s awkward parting of the methods with Invoice Belichick. However Mayo isn’t your long-term coach if the New England successful custom is to return. Nice defensive thoughts, shaky head coach.
Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Could 14, 2021; Berea, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski (left) watches camp with basic supervisor Andrew Berry throughout rookie minicamp on the Cleveland Browns Coaching Facility. Obligatory Credit score: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports activities Cleveland sits 3-13 and is stumbling down the stretch with 5 losses, so Stefanski ought to be nervous about his cellphone ringing Monday. He’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Yr for a franchise that has been fairly unhealthy over the past quarter of a century. The $230 million Deshaun Watson mistake has chopped the legs out from below this franchise. Maybe Stefanski would love a change of surroundings too.
Actual lengthy photographs however value mentioning: Zac Taylor (Bengals), Kyle Shanahan (49ers)
Coaches fired in the course of the season: Robert Saleh (Jets), Dennis Allen (Saints), Matt Eberflus (Bears)
