Three teams – the Jets, Saints, and Bears – are already searching for new head coaches, and "Black Monday" could see several more join their ranks. Let's delve into which coaches are feeling the most heat.
Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
Stepping into Bill Belichick's shoes was always going to be a challenge, given his immense influence over the Patriots organization. However, Jerod Mayo's first season at the helm has been nothing short of disastrous. The rookie head coach has fumbled quarterback decisions, struggled with in-game management, assembled a subpar coaching staff, and been plagued by communication mishaps.
From labeling his team "soft" to misleading running back Antonio Gibson about a starting role, Mayo's public pronouncements have been cringeworthy. Even Nick Sirianni, known for his own gaffes, might find himself wincing at Mayo's comments.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft had such faith in Mayo that he secretly appointed the former linebacker as head coach-in-waiting long before Belichick's departure seemed imminent. That faith now appears misplaced, with Mayo seemingly overwhelmed by the demands of the job, both on and off the field. The Patriots are plagued by mental errors, pre-snap penalties, wasted timeouts, special teams blunders, and a host of other issues. The fans in Foxborough have already grown restless.
Adding to the pressure is the availability of Mike Vrabel, another former Patriots linebacker with a proven track record of success. Replacing Mayo with Vrabel would allow Kraft to save face while bringing in a coach capable of building a winning culture. Vrabel would inherit a favorable situation: a wealth of cap space, the likely No. 1 overall draft pick, and a potential franchise quarterback in Drake Maye.
Typically, a coach is only fired after one season if they display incompetence beyond just a poor record. Mayo seems to be firmly in that territory. The only reason he might keep his job is Kraft's stubbornness.
Hot seat meter: 9/10
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
To his credit, Mike McCarthy has kept the Cowboys competitive despite losing Dak Prescott to injury. Since Micah Parsons' return, the defense has improved significantly, and the offense has done just enough to keep them in games against playoff contenders. Winning four out of five games with Cooper Rush at quarterback is a commendable achievement.
Earlier in the season, McCarthy's dismissal seemed inevitable. But now, there's growing speculation that he may have saved his job.
McCarthy may not be an elite coach, but he's solid. While there might be better options available, would a young, offensive-minded coach be willing to work under Jerry Jones's ownership? Even if the Cowboys move on from McCarthy, they're reportedly interested in another veteran coach.
This could be a positive move. The Cowboys need a cultural reset more than a brilliant tactician, provided Jones is willing to step back. McCarthy could argue that he's the right person for the job, having shown he can get the best out of the Cowboys' stars. The blame for this season's shortcomings could be placed on poor free agency and draft decisions, as Jones himself has admitted.
The Cowboys might feel they need a fresh start, but there's a chance they'll stick with McCarthy for one more season.
Hot seat meter: 7/10
Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders
It's been another disappointing season for the Raiders, with owner Mark Davis already expressing doubts about head coach Antonio Pierce's future.
Like McCarthy, Pierce can point to failures beyond his control. The Raiders' decision not to address the quarterback position in last year's draft backfired when Gardner Minshew, their free-agent signing, missed most of the season due to injury.
Without a reliable quarterback, the Raiders' offense has been stagnant. Pierce is a "rah-rah" coach who seems stuck in the past, unlike Dan Campbell, who backs up his aggressive rhetoric with bold decisions.
Pierce emphasized physicality upon taking the job, aiming for a dominant running game and a suffocating defense. While the defense has performed relatively well, the offense has been a disaster. They rank last in the league in rushing efficiency, a damning indictment of Pierce's tenure.
Hot seat meter: 9/10
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
Despite Giants owner John Mara's public assurances, the team has been a disappointment this season. Even with a talented rookie class, the Giants have often looked outmatched. While injuries have played a part, there have also been self-inflicted wounds, such as the mishandling of Daniel Jones's benching.
The Giants' decision not to pay Saquon Barkley has also backfired spectacularly. While letting Barkley walk might have made sense on paper, the Giants have struggled to score points while watching Barkley have a historic season.
#Giants owner John Mara on Saquon Barkley potentially getting interest from the Eagles and Bears:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 17, 2024
"I'll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I'll tell you that. ... He's the most popular player we have BY FAR."pic.twitter.com/T0SJDIyHZH
Mara's reluctance to let Barkley go, captured on camera during last year's Hard Knocks, adds another layer of embarrassment to the situation.
Hot seat meter: 7/10
Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Pederson's fate was essentially sealed after a lackluster performance against the Bears in London. The Jaguars, despite high expectations, have collapsed this season.
Owner Shad Khan had declared this Jaguars team the best he'd ever assembled, but they were effectively out of playoff contention by November.
The more interesting question is whether Khan will also move on from general manager Trent Baalke, who has a history of poor draft and free agency decisions.
Khan had envisioned a special season, but now a complete overhaul seems necessary.
Hot seat meter: 10/10
Several other coaches may find themselves under pressure to perform this season. In Indianapolis, Shane Steichen is tasked with turning around the Colts' fortunes. Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins needs to demonstrate improvement after a promising but ultimately disappointing first year. Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco has high expectations to meet with a talented 49ers roster. Over in Cleveland, Kevin Stefanski will be looking to rebound from a lackluster season. And finally, Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals needs to prove that last year's Super Bowl run wasn't a fluke.
