The 2024 NFL regular season has already seen its first coaching casualty, as the New York Jets decided to part ways with head coach Robert Saleh following their loss in London earlier this month. As we approach Week 7, the question remains: could more firings be imminent?
While most NFL teams tend to wait until the end of the season to make coaching changes, in-season firings aren’t unheard of, especially when teams underperform significantly. This season, several head coaches are reportedly on the hot seat as their teams struggle to find success six weeks into the year. According to a report from Fox Sports, as many as seven coaches are at risk of being let go in the near future.
Leading the pack is Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. Once considered a top-tier coach after winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles, Pederson now finds himself under scrutiny. The Jaguars have stumbled to a 1-5 start this season after finishing the previous season 1-5, raising concerns about the development of key players like quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne.
Fox Sports noted, “It’s surprising that Saleh was fired before Pederson, given the Jaguars’ continued struggles despite the perceived talent on the roster.”
However, Pederson isn’t the only coach feeling the heat. Other notable names include Saints head coach Dennis Allen, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Each of these coaches has faced mounting pressure due to their team’s poor performances or inability to meet high expectations this season.
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In New Orleans, Dennis Allen has struggled to turn the Saints into a consistent playoff contender, while Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys have faltered in big games, leading some to speculate that Dallas owner Jerry Jones might be losing patience.
Brian Daboll, fresh off winning Coach of the Year in 2023, has seen his Giants take a significant step back this season, and fans are growing restless in Cincinnati as Zac Taylor’s Bengals struggle to regain their Super Bowl form from two years ago.
Meanwhile, Kevin Stefanski of the Browns and Nick Sirianni of the Eagles are both coaching teams loaded with talent, but inconsistent performances have put them under the microscope.
While some team owners have publicly stated that they do not plan to make coaching changes during the season, the unpredictable nature of the NFL means anything could happen, especially as teams start to fall out of playoff contention. If results don’t improve soon, we could very well see more coaches handed their pink slips before the season concludes.
As Week 7 approaches, it remains to be seen whether any of these coaches will follow Saleh out the door. With pressure mounting and expectations high, the NFL coaching carousel could see more movement before the end of the season.
