NFL training camps will soon be starting and, as usual, there are some head coaches who are entering the season feeling pressure.
There are some coaches such as Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts and Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans who are clearly in situations where they most deliver to keep there jobs after the 2025 season.
Yet, there are other coaches who also may be looking over their shoulder soon if they stumble this season. Between six and seven coaching changes happen every offseason, on average, so it can’t just be the ones we expect heading into the season.
Here is a look at the coaches that may not be top of mind, but are potentially on the chopping block, presented in alphabetical order:
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
It wasn’t long ago that McDaniel was considered one of the great young offensive minds in the game. He is clearly a strong offensive coach and he is a bright personality, but there have been some questions of leadership in Miami and that’s on the head coach. If the Dolphins flounder this season, McDaniel may be shown the door. And the Dolphins just might flounder. They had a suspect offseason and there will always be questions of the health of Tua Tagovailoa. If things go south in South Beach, McDaniel, who is 28-23 in the regular season and 0-2 in the postseason as Miami’s coach, may pay. If so, I could still see McDaniel, 42, having a future as a head coach and he could get a second chance fairly soon.
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Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
This is just Morris’ second season as the Falcons’ head coach and team owner Arthur Blank is a fan of Morris, but the Falcons have a lot invested in this roster and they’ve compiled a lot of young talent. They are trying to win right now in a winnable division, so if the Falcons, who finished 8-9 last season, take a step back and finish in 5-12 or 6-11 range, Morris’ seat will be hot. He’s had one winning season in four full seasons as an NFL head coach. If he doesn’t win in 2025, the questions about his ability as a head coach could get loud.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
After the 2022 season, Taylor looked like he’d been in Cincinnati for as long as he wanted. In his first four seasons, after getting hired in 2019 at the age of 36, Taylor took over a terrible situation and won a total of six games in his first two seasons. But Taylor and young quarterback Joe Burrow clicked in 2021 and the team won five playoff games in the 2021-22 seasons and barely lost the Super Bowl. Taylor had a good thing going. But the Bengals have went 9-8 in the past two seasons and they missed the playoffs both years. If Taylor can’t deliver a postseason berth in 2025 and waste a prime season of the Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’ trio, he could be in big trouble If the Cincinnati job would be greatly coveted in 2026 if it’s available. Taylor has to fight to keep his job.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s a little jarring to include Tomlin’s name on a hot-seat list, but the reality is, this could actually be his final season as the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is the longest-tenured NFL coach as he has been in Pittsburgh since 2007. He has never had a losing season, but the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. The franchise has been operating with an unusual sense of urgency this season. The Steelers are badly trying to win. If it doesn’t work and the playoff brought continues, a reset might be best for all involved.
