It’s a new year for every coach in the NFL, but not every coach will survive the year. Already, there’s speculation about which coaches could be on the hot seat in 2018. Some coaches with shaky job security may include:
- Hue Jackson, Browns: Jackson is the oddsmaker’s favorite to lose his job first. After compiling a 1-31 record in his two seasons at the helm in Cleveland, it’s hard to argue with the professionals. Jackson certainly has more talent to work with thanks to the arrivals of running back Carlos Hyde, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, and a vastly improved secondary, but along with that comes raised expectations. When also considering that Jackson is a holdover from the previous regime and not necessarily the preferred choice of new GM John Dorsey, it’s quite possible that Jackson could be ousted with another bad start.
- Adam Gase, Dolphins: When Gase was hired in 2016, he was the league’s youngest head coach at the age of 38. He earned a playoff appearance in his first year on the sidelines, but last year turned ugly after quarterback Ryan Tannehill was lost for the season and replaced by Jay Cutler. Tannehill’s return should help matters, but it’s fair to wonder whether this team has improved much at all after losing Ndamukong Suh on the other side of the ball. The Dolphins’ early schedule may also hurt Gase as they open against the Titans, Jets, Raiders, and Patriots. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Dolphins split those games, like they did in 2017, but it’s also conceivable that they could open the year 0-4. As you can probably guess, an 0-4 start is historically difficult to climb out from. Of the 117 teams that have started 0-4 in the 16-game era, the ’92 Chargers are the ones to have reached the postseason with with an 11-win campaign. The 2004 Bills and the 2017 Chargers both rallied to win nine games, but neither club reached the playoffs.
- Marvin Lewis, Bengals: The Lewis saga took some weird twists and turns last season. In the midst of a second-straight season without a playoff appearance, there was speculation about Lewis’ job security. Then, in December, we started hearing rumblings that Lewis might leave the Bengals to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Ultimately, Lewis was signed to a two-year extension to, theoretically, keep him under contract for his 16th and 17th seasons in Cincinnati. Lewis has avoided lame duck status for 2018, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll survive the year if the Bengals falter.
- Vance Joseph, Broncos: Joseph was nearly axed after the 2017 season before John Elway ultimately decided to retain him. The Broncos’ defense is still jam-packed with talent and they have a capable quarterback in Case Keenum, so anything short of a playoff appearance will be a disappointment in Denver. This will be Joseph’s second season at the helm in Denver, but it’s clear that he is under pressure it win.
- Dirk Koetter, Buccaneers: Koetter was already believed to be on the hot seat but he was placed squarely behind the 8-ball last week when quarterback Jameis Winston was suspended for the first three games of the season. Even if the Bucs come out of September unscathed, they’ll be up against an overall schedule that is the fourth-toughest in the NFL, based on the combined win percentage of opponents in 2017.
The list goes on from there. Jay Gruden (Redskins), Todd Bowles (Jets), Bill O’Brien (Texans), Jason Garrett (Cowboys), John Harbaugh (Ravens), and Ron Rivera (Panthers) could also be in varying degrees of jeopardy with disappointing seasons. We’d be surprised to see a quick hook for Garrett, Harbaugh, or Rivera no matter what happens, but you may feel differently.
Click below to make your pick for who will be the first to get the axe. Then, you can head to the comment section to back up your choice.
Definitely not Marvin Lewis.
He and Jackson should’ve been gone after last season. Lewis and Brown must have secrets. Haslam is just stupid.
I disagree about Jackson. His 1-31 record can be blamed on Sasha Brown trying to tank for high draft picks and cap flexibility. Which worked great considering where the team is going now. Unfortunately for Hue he wasn’t involved in key decision making and was handed a horrible roster to try and compete.
It’s only fair to let Hue retain his job and give him some talent. I’d be surprised if he was fired actually. If they can get close to 8 wins it’ll be tough for Dorsey to fire the guy and make Baker learn a new playbook after just learning Hue’s.
Lol Marvin Lewis get fired? That’s a good one guys.
Bill Belichick will get fired before Marvin Lewis.
Belichick has been fired!….by the Browns
You win the webs!
Vance Josheph for sure if the Broncos get off to a bad start.
Well as a Broncos fan hopefully we don’t have that problem.
Uh the one who loses the most games maybe?
Hue will be around because the Browns are a trash organization like the rest of Cleveland teams
indians seem to be doing well
Play in a AAA division.
After this year they’ll be back at the bottom
Sounds like someone has some hatred built up after his team gets routinely beaten by the tribe and Cavs.
Why would anyone hate a baseball team that chokes every single time in the playoffs and blows 3-1 advantages? Or a basketball team that managed to win one title with the best player in the league that will be lucky to win 20’games next year with a roster led by the great white bum, Kevin Love. At least the Chicago baseball teams have won World Series sometime in the last 70 years and the Bulls won 6 titles.
If the Steelers don’t make it this year, I hope that Tomlin will have the good grace to fall on his own clipboard.
Koetter for sure
Followed by the GM and QB
Jackson. 1-31 is hard to do even with the worst talent in the league.
How is Ron Rivera least likely? With new ownership coming, new front office? If they under perform in the slightest then he will be gone that easy.
He’s been the most successful coach in the history of the organization. They’ve been plagued by injuries during most of his tenure. I don’t think Rivera’s seat is even remotely warm
Jason Garrett.
McCarthy should have been fired 5 years ago. When GB starts out 2-5 I’ll say him
BEN MCADOODOO!!!!!
Get Harbaugh out and take Flacco with him.
Between Marvin Lewis, hue Jackson and dirk koetter, because none of these coaches have got their team anywhere