By Marvin Moore June 15, 2023
The National Football League has had 15 head coaches sent packing over the past two seasons. The league will have five rookie head coaches in 2023 and 18 coaches who have been at the helm of their respective teams for 24 months or less.
Last year, five head coaches were given their pink slips, including Matt Rhule, Nathaniel Hackett, Lovie Smith, Kliff Kingsbury, and Frank Reich.
Here’s a look at seven NFL head coaches on the hot seat entering the 2023 season:
1. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are rebuilding, and with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask competing for the starting quarterback job, all signs point to a lackluster season in Tampa Bay. Bowles is 34-50 as an NFL head coach, and ownership has a history of firing coaches in the midst of rebuilding projects. Although the defensive guru and former New York Jets head coach is in the second year of a five-year deal, 2023 is a lame-duck season for Bowles, who will need a minor miracle to return in 2024.
2. Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
Allen was fortunate to return to the Saints sideline this season after an underwhelming 7-10 campaign last year. The former defensive coordinator flopped in his first coaching assignment with the Oakland Raiders (2012-14) and has posted a 15-38 record as a head coach. New Orleans’ roster is subpar due to salary cap restrictions, and while free-agent quarterback Derek Carr is an upgrade over Andy Dalton, the Saints will struggle again in 2023. Allen is a leading candidate to get canned during the regular season.
3. Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders
Rivera is a solid NFL head coach with an impressive resume. However, the sale of the Washington franchise could cost him his job if the new regime elects to hire a new coach. Rivera has a 22-27-1 record with the Commanders and is just 51-58-1 since 2016, including zero playoff victories. Washington will start Jacoby Brissett or 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell at quarterback in arguably the NFL’s toughest division this season. Like his New Orleans counterpart, Rivera will have difficulty finishing the season pacing the Commanders’ sideline.
4. Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Smith has a 14-20 card in two seasons with a mediocre Falcons squad. However, Atlanta has upgraded its roster this offseason, and the former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator will be expected to exceed seven wins in 2023. Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder will guide a talented but youthful offense, and if the Falcons take a step backward, it will probably cost Smith his job.
5. Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders
McDaniels might be an offensive genius, but he is not a good head coach. The Raiders limped to a 6-11 mark in his first season calling the shots in Las Vegas, and he has a pitiful 17-28 career record as an NFL head coach. McDaniels job will be in the hands of newcomer Jimmy Garoppolo, who had off-season foot surgery and has a long history of injuries. The Denver Broncos fired the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator after just 28 games. McDaniels will be a top candidate seeking employment on Black Monday if the Raiders cannot improve on last year’s six wins.
6. Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers
Staley has a respectable 19-15 card with the Chargers but is on the hot seat after blowing a 27-point lead in a playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Los Angeles was bitten by the injury bug a year ago and possesses a talented roster that includes star quarterback Justin Herbert. Staley hired former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, which should rejuvenate a stagnant offense. The Chargers have too many weapons not to win a playoff game, and Staley could receive his walking papers with another playoff dud in 2023.
7. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and McCarthy needs to guide Dallas to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 27 years to save his job. McCarthy has won just one of three playoff games in Big D and has a 6-8 record in his last 14 postseason matchups. The Cowboys parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore during the offseason, and McCarthy will be calling the plays this upcoming season. It’s Super Bowl or bust for Dallas in 2023, and anything less will send McCarthy to the unemployment line.
8. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
The 2020 NFL Coach of the Year will fight for his job this season and sink or swim with former Houston star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Stefanski has a solid team on both sides of the football and should be in good shape if Watson is under center and remains injury-free. The defense should be improved with new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz calling the shots, and the Browns have an array of offensive weapons. The AFC North is a deep division, and Stefanski needs to reach the playoffs to save his job
