Coaching in the NFL could never be described as an easy job, but as the season nears its finish, some coaches have a more difficult task ahead of them.
We have already seen two head coaches being relieved of their positions this season, and there are a few heads that could potentially end up on the chopping board as NFL teams start looking ahead to next season.
There is still time for every coach in the league to transform their fortunes and show that their team and coaching style can still work.
It is not just teams that are struggling who have coaches with a point to prove. Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys has the weight of expectation on his shoulders, and hopes are still high for a Super Bowl win. The Cowboys are currently sixth favorites among sports bookmakers, meaning they are still in the running for fans who want to take a punt.
Unlike McCarthy, the Washington Commanders’ Ron Rivera has been battling to save his job since new owners took over pre-season. Despite a positive start, an abysmal defensive performance led to Jack Del Rio being sacked from his position as defensive coordinator. Rivera has a difficult task ahead of him to rejuvenate a defense that is ranked last in the league.
Another head coach who will be hoping for a stay of execution is Robert Saleh. The man leading the New York Jets had to overcome losing the talismanic Aaron Rodgers to injury, but other issues need to be addressed.
The Jets have suffered from a lack of discipline and lapses in mental concentration this season. A good coach will be able to breathe confidence back into his squad, and Saleh will believe he is the man to do that.
The Buffalo Bills have seen a lot of change this season with Leslie Frazier and Ken Dorsey both vacating their positions as defensive and offensive coordinators.
Sean McDermott removed Dorsey and got a good response from his offensive players, but recent performances have dipped. This leaves McDermott’s team in real danger of missing out on the playoffs.
Injuries have played a part in the Bills’ poor recent form, and this could help to ease the pressure on McDermott to some extent.
Bill Belichick finds himself in an unenviable position because his control over football operations has resulted in what could only be described as a disaster.
Many coaches would love to have the final say over football operations, but when things go wrong there is nowhere to point the finger. This is the case with the Patriots who have struggled in the quarterback position with Belichick coming under fire.
The Patriots need a rebuild and it is up to Belichick to prove he is the man for the job – if he still wants to be there when the season ends.
The Los Angeles Chargers look to be out of contention for the playoffs, but Brandon Staley will still want to shake his reputation of leading a team of underachievers.
The Chargers’ defense has been their major weakness this season, and when they have performed, the offensive line has let the team down. Their inability to win close games could ultimately be Staley’s downfall unless he can turn things around.
Antonio Pierce was announced as the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach on an interim basis following the dismissal of Josh McDaniels. It is a little unfair to put Pierce under so much pressure after he stepped up, but if he wants to take the head coach position, he will have to show he is ready for it in the Raiders’ remaining games.
Though it is not mathematically impossible, the playoffs are a big ask at this point. However, if Pierce can show how he deals with adversity and steers the team in the right direction, he could be in with a good chance of securing a full-time position.
The final coach that we believe has something to prove is Matt Eberflus. His time at the Chicago Bears has not been the most prolific, winning just seven games under his stewardship. That being said, there are positives including the defense.
Recent strong performances have given renewed hope that Eberflus could be the right man for the job. If he can inspire a few more good performances and victories before the end of the season, he may find himself in a position to build a solid unit for next season.
All the coaches mentioned here have the potential to string a run of performances together and give themselves some breathing space. Other coaches who are in a comfortable position could also start feeling the pressure if their form dips.
