Black Monday is looming in the NFL, and rumors are starting to heat up about coaches who may lose their jobs. With many disappointing seasons throughout the league, there could be fairly significant turnover once the season ends. We’re not even counting Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who seems to have already decided his future, or Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, whose fate sounds like it’s up to him.
Here are 12 coaches whose seats are getting quite warm as we head toward the offseason.
12) Jay Gruden, Redskins
On the whole, Gruden’s position is probably safe. His injury-riddled team could still go 8-8. And though he hasn’t done anything spectacular, he has kept the Redskins on a steady footing. That’s not as easy as it looks. There’s one major wildcard that could have an impact on Gruden’s job security, though. Reports have indicated that a looming grievance hearing for former GM Scot McCLoughan has at least a chance of turning up some damaging and embarrassing information about the organization. If Dan Snyder needs a fall guy, Gruden could be it. But in terms of his on-field performance, Gruden seems to have done just enough to fend off the axe for another year.
11) Adam Gase, Dolphins
Gase was billed as a quarterback guru when he was the hottest candidate on the coaching market two years ago. He got Ryan Tannehill to the playoffs last season, but this season will go down as a huge disappointment. He still has some goodwill left over from that playoff appearance, and he can excuse at least part of the 6-9 season by noting that Tannehill got hurt before the season. Gase staked a lot of Jay Cutler, though, and it didn’t work out. Year three could determine Gase’s fate with the Dolphins.
10) Todd Bowles, Jets
A year ago, Bowles’ seat was much hotter than it is now, with the Jets ultimately deciding to stick with their coach. He had very little talent to work with in 2017, but he managed to wring five wins out of a roster that was supposed to be Browns-level bad before the season. That is probably enough to save his job for another year. Still, this is New York, and there’s only so long that mediocrity will be tolerated. You have to think that next year will require tangible progress.
9) Jason Garrett, Cowboys
Is any coach truly safe in Dallas as long as Jerry Jones’ finger is on the button? Normally, all eyes would be on Garrett for going .500 at best a year after making the playoffs with the NFL’s best record. There were plenty of extenuating circumstances here, though, namely Ezekiel Elliott missing nearly half the season due to suspension. Jones has steadfastly said Garrett is safe for 2018. Jones likes big names, and there doesn’t appear to be an obvious one available, so he’s probably telling the truth. Things can change quickly in Jerryworld, though, and either way, Garrett will have to come closer to living up to Dallas’ Super Bowl aspirations next season.
8) Vance Joseph, Broncos
Would the Broncos really send Joseph packing after just one year in charge? The biggest argument against it is that he had a stable of terrible quarterbacks all season long, which had a huge impact on Denver’s fortunes. Joseph is a defensive coach, though, and the degradation of Denver’s defense will set off alarm bells all over the place. For now, his job sounds safe, but the way the Broncos are playing to end the season isn’t exactly encouraging.
7) Jack Del Rio, Raiders
The Raiders have been one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments in 2016, and Del Rio’s seat has grown hotter accordingly. They have not come close to replicating their 12-win 2016, though the good news for the coach is that memory hasn’t faded completely. That said, there are reports of tension between Del Rio and the front office, and coaches tend to be the ones to lose those power struggles. It sounds like the Raiders are more inclined to make changes to Del Rio’s staff and otherwise limit his power in the organization, but as long as tensions linger, you never know.
