Every year, approximately 15% of NFL teams, for example, five different teams, will have new head coaches just 10 years after. This is a common practice in the league, where coaching staffs change regularly during the offseason, but not for players.
Diving into more unclear circumstances are numerous others, as they please, for their occupations, trapped in their positions, nearly all of them are figures such as the Chiefs’ Andy Reid and the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, on the sidelines, further alterations will inevitably bring about the 2023 season.
Of course, in a sports team, coaches don’t solely deserve to be blamed for whatever struggles their future might be muddying, as there is a price to be paid for the lack of success in a results-based business that prioritizes parity in the league.
With that in mind, here’s a look at head coaches standing on shakier ground entering 2023:Output: Keeping that in consideration,
Brandon Staley, Chargers
Year: Third | Record: 19-15 | Playoffs
To take star quarterback Justin Herbert over the hump, Staley, 40, has relied on Kellen Moore, his third offensive coordinator in as many years. In spite of having a roster full of all-stars, his teams have crumbled at crucial moments, in a highly dramatic manner. His initial year concluded with puzzling time management in a Week 18 play-in loss, and the previous year concluded with a devastating collapse of a 27-0 playoff advantage, marking the worst in team history. Without consistent outcomes from a skilled defense, Staley is now placing his bets on Kellen Moore to bring Justin Herbert and the team to success.
Dennis Allen, Saints
Year: Second | Record: 7-10 | Playoffs
The Panthers and Falcons in the NFC South should be even more formidable now that Allen has improved as a head coach in his 15th season. While he may not be joining as an all-star cast, Derek Carr is a solid newcomer at QB and could be a better answer for you if you’re looking to upgrade. Sean Payton has always been respected in New Orleans and he will be endorsed as his own successor. As a guy who knows how to run a real defense, Bowles is like a real expert.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers
Year: Second | Record: 8-9 | Playoffs
As a coach, he has had a career of 34-50 and now, since 2024, he is the head coach of the Bucs. Management wants him to take charge of the inevitable reset at QB, but with Brady gone, there will be even more pressure for him to guide an elite quarterback. However, Brady’s departure might lead him to adopt a conservative and predictable approach, not unlike a defensive mindset. Nevertheless, Brady has earned his stripes.
Josh McDaniels, Raiders
Year: Second | Record: 6-11 | Playoffs
Tom Brady, the former quarterback of the New England Patriots, is now a key player for the Las Vegas Raiders. After spending 17-28 seasons with the Patriots, Brady has moved on and is currently navigating the challenges of building a new roster with the Raiders. While some familiar faces like Derek Carr remain on the team, others such as Jakobi Meyers have been replaced. Additionally, the Raiders have imported Jimmy Garoppolo in an effort to recreate the successful setup they had in New England. Working under the guidance of general manager Dave Ziegler, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has the advantage of a familiar power structure.
Ron Rivera, Commanders
Year: Fourth | Record: 22-27-1 |
You can’t question Rivera’s leadership as he has willingly embraced and flourished with a polarizing franchise, at least keeping them in the wild-card mix. His defensive trademark is a perpetually stingy D-line that has also produced a mix of wild-card wins since his peak with the Panthers in 2015, despite going through mid-tier QB rentals and cycling through previous regimes. But the chief reason he’s loaded in his division now is the loaded carry to Brissett Jacoby, or Howell Sam, a fifth-rounder in 2022. Since 2015, he’s gone from zero playoff wins to 51, making him a reason for the success.
Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Year: Fourth | Record: 26-24 | Playoffs
One year in, the longtime Vikings assistant appeared to be the center of attention, guiding Baker Mayfield to lead an 11-5 debut that almost resulted in an upset of the Chiefs in the playoffs. However, his teams have gradually declined, with a record of 8-9 in 2021 and then 7-10 last season. Now, regardless of his preference, all of his hopes rely on the Deshaun Watson basket. After the troubled former Texans star struggled following his suspension in 2022, it is now Stefanski’s responsibility to quickly revive the quarterback in the challenging AFC North.
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys
Year: 4th | Record: 30-20 |
Ever since the 1990s, the responsibility of securing the Cowboys’ first title bid has solely rested on his shoulders as a play-caller. Despite OC Kellen Moore being dismissed, he has only managed to achieve one playoff victory in Dallas. This was accompanied by questionable late-game decisions that resulted in consecutive season-ending defeats, despite having an impressive array of offensive weapons at his disposal. McCarthy’s track record includes leading 10 different seasons with double-digit wins, dating all the way back to his tenure in Green Bay. There is no denying his impressive resume, as team owner Jerry Jones has reportedly expressed his desire for McCarthy to lead the Cowboys for a tenure as long as Tom Landry.
Arthur Smith, Falcons
Year: 3rd | Record: 14-20 |
It doesn’t matter why that happens, no matter what. Desmond Ridder, a young quarterback in his second year, is being asked to shepherd a team with multiple potential wins under his belt, despite having zero playoff appearances. He has also flirted with wild-card contention despite the abrupt exit of Matt Ryan in 2022. Considering how much Atlanta seemed to improve its roster during a busy offseason, Smith is not widely regarded as a hot-seat candidate like the rest.