In the three weeks since the New York Jets dismissed Robert Saleh, they’ve gone 0-3, and in many respects, appear even worse than before. This highlights two key points:
Saleh wasn’t the Jets’ issue.
And mid-season coaching changes rarely yield positive results.
However, this kind of evidence rarely deters NFL owners seeking quick solutions. In some cases, an in-season change can indeed help avoid a complete and humiliating downfall. At times, it even serves as a way for a struggling owner to appease frustrated fans.
As a result, several NFL coaches still find themselves on the hot seat. Some may be gone within weeks, while others are likely to be let go after an unsuccessful season ends.
Here are FOX Sports’ latest bi-weekly rankings of the seven hottest coaching seats as we head into Week 9:
1. Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints (Previous ranking: 2nd)
It’s hard to believe the Saints once stood at 2-0 and were seen as a potential surprise contender, as they’ve now dropped six consecutive games, and Allen seems to be running out of solutions.
The blame isn’t entirely on him; losing quarterback Derek Carr was a significant setback. Backup Spencer Rattler didn’t prove effective and was benched on Sunday in favor of Jake Haener. Unsurprisingly, the Saints have scored only 18 points over the last two games and have been outscored 110-45 in their last three matchups.
While Allen may have the support of Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, it’s uncertain how long that will last. With a 18-24 record as Saints head coach—and an overall NFL head coaching record of 26-52, factoring in his rough stint with the Raiders—it’s becoming evident to many in New Orleans that things aren’t likely to improve under his guidance.
2. Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous ranking: 1st)
A 32-16 victory over the struggling New England Patriots in London two weeks ago likely saved his job, as signs pointed to a possible firing had the team lost before returning to Florida.
A narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday also helped his case, highlighting how much expectations have dropped in Jacksonville. Still, the numbers matter: they’re 2-2 in their last four games, and franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence finally showed some promise on Sunday. This recent progress might help hold off the impulsive tendencies of Jags owner Shahid Khan—for now.
But patience may be limited. The Jaguars are still one of the NFL’s biggest underperformers, going 3-11 since last December when they were 8-3. With upcoming games against the Eagles (5-2), Vikings (5-2), and Lions (6-2), the Jaguars’ bye week could be the moment Khan decides it’s time for Pederson to go.
3. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys (Previous ranking: 3rd)
Jerry Jones insists he won’t be firing Mike McCarthy, and given his history of showing patience with previous coaches, there’s little reason to doubt him.
But surely, he must have a breaking point.
The Cowboys’ latest loss in San Francisco wasn’t close until a late-game rally, and outside of garbage time, they haven’t been competitive in any of their four losses. Their 0-3 home record stings, they’re already 2.5 games behind in the NFC East, and their defense has allowed a whopping 77 points over the last two games.
That defensive struggle is actually McCarthy’s in-season safety net, as the most likely interim option would be defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, a hard sell for Jones to both players and fans right now. Still, McCarthy’s contract only runs through the end of this season, and even though Jones doesn’t like firing coaches mid-season, a continued downturn may leave him with no other choice.
4. Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears (Previous ranking: NR)
The choice not to extend Eberflus’s contract in the offseason was a clear indicator of ownership’s uncertainty about him—and it also highlights a lack of long-term planning. Ideally, with the No. 1 overall pick and a new franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, they would have committed to a coach with a vision for his development.
Though Eberflus is under contract through 2025, his position could be at risk if Williams doesn’t deliver the anticipated results as a rookie. While Williams has shown promise, he’s been inconsistent, with two solid weeks followed by a poor outing against Washington in his head-to-head with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels.
Eberflus didn’t help his case with questionable play-calling—like handing off to an offensive lineman on 4th-and-goal from the 1 in the fourth quarter when trailing. Worse, the game ended with one of his players too busy taunting fans to defend the Hail Mary that lost them the game. Missteps like these are hard to overlook.
5. Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders (Previous ranking: NR)
The Raiders were justified in lifting the interim tag after last season’s strong 5-4 finish and the solid backing Pierce received from his players. He brought a much-needed spark to the franchise.
However, positive momentum only goes so far, especially without a franchise quarterback and with their top receiver pushing for a trade. Pierce is struggling to keep things on track as the Raiders endure a four-game losing streak. While they’ve stayed competitive with close losses to the Rams and Chiefs, it’s unclear how long “close” will be enough.
With new minority owner Tom Brady, who’s likely to share some thoughts with majority owner Marc Davis, and the team heading toward a fourth non-winning season in five years, the stakes are high.
There’s a bye in two weeks, which Pierce will likely make it through. But without a return to winning form and a renewed spark, the Raiders could find themselves back at square one in 2025, likely searching for both a new quarterback and head coach.
6. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals (Previous ranking: 5th)
Sunday’s 37-17 home loss to the Eagles underscores just how far this team has slipped. With the level of talent they possess, they should be much closer to contending—but instead, they’re moving in the opposite direction.
It’s still unlikely he’ll be fired mid-season for several reasons. First, the Bengals are famously frugal and hesitant to absorb his $4.5 million annual salary through 2026. Additionally, they’ve gone 3-2 in their last five games, with one of those losses coming in overtime to the Ravens.
However, there’s a troubling “but”—over their last three games, this offense has averaged just 18.3 points and 269 yards. That’s unacceptable for a team with Joe Burrow at quarterback and a star like Ja’Marr Chase. Eventually, the Bengals will need to confront the reality that they can’t afford to waste the prime years of these elite players.
7. Brian Daboll, New York Giants (Previous ranking: 4th)
Why is he still on this list even after co-owner John Mara assured that both he and general manager Joe Schoen would remain through 2025? Mainly because Mara’s actual statement was that he wouldn’t make any in-season changes and that he doesn’t “anticipate making any changes in the offseason.”
The wording in these assurances always matters.
Mara isn’t being deceptive, but he’s aware that a season can spiral out of control in unexpected ways (just ask Joe Judge) or situations can arise that become untenable (as with Ben McAdoo). So, there’s some flexibility in his promise.
According to sources within the organization, it would take something extreme to change Mara’s mind—a complete losing streak, player rebellion, or a series of unhinged press conferences from Daboll. Still, given the team’s competitive spirit, it’s likely he’ll stick around. Then again, this organization has seen its share of surprises over the past 13 years.
Dropped from the list:
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns (Previous ranking: 7th) — A strong win against the Baltimore Ravens proved Stefanski’s coaching ability, particularly when supported by a capable quarterback. With Deshaun Watson sidelined for the season, Stefanski’s case for stability may actually improve.
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles (Previous ranking: 6th) — With the Eagles now at 5-2 after three consecutive wins, their offense is finally finding its rhythm, arguably for the first time since 2022. However, a solid playoff push may still be necessary to secure his position.
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