Mike McCarthy Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reacts during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
ArticlesFeaturedNFLOriginalsBy Michael Grant on

The NFL season is winding down, but let’s look at what may happen this fall. Here are five head coaches who will be on the hot seat in 2024:

5. Brian Daboll, New York Giants

Record with team: 15-18-1 in two seasons

Playoff appearances: One

The 2022 NFL Coach of the Year is already in trouble. After overachieving with a limited roster, a combination of injuries and a regression to the mean contributed to the inevitable collapse in 2023. The Giants (6-11) have historically been patient, but since two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin resigned after the 2015 season, New York has cycled through four coaches. What’s also working against Brian Daboll is that Bill Belichick is a free agent. Belichick’s return to the franchise where he won the Super Bowl twice as a defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells would be wildly popular in NYC. Daboll’s job security might be tied to Belichick’s availability.

4. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

Record with team: 34–17 in three seasons

Playoff appearances: Three

The Philadelphia Eagles fired Doug Pederson three seasons after winning the Super Bowl with a backup quarterback. So, Nick Sirianni, who lost the Super Bowl last year, is not safe after a puzzling late-season collapse by Philly (11-6) with a one-time MVP candidate at quarterback. Sirianni demoted his defensive coordinator Sean Desai mid-season and replaced him with Matt Patricia. Desai, Patricia, and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson are all gone from a team that dropped six of its final seven games. Desperate moves like ousting both coordinators rarely work. If the Eagles’ struggles continue, there will be no one on staff left to blame but Sirianni. A return to form by Jalen Hurts (15 interceptions) would help.

3. Robert Saleh, New York Jets

Record with team: 18-33 in three seasons

Playoff appearances: None

Aaron Rodgers’s season-ending injury in the season opener gave Robert Saleh a mulligan. Without Rodgers, the New York Jets (7-10) of 2023 looked exactly like the New York Jets of 2022: a squad that was only competitive on one side of the ball. Rodgers wields a lot of power in the organization, so Saleh and beleaguered offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are back. If Rodgers is healthy and the offensive line isn’t awful, there’s no reason why the Jets shouldn’t make the postseason. It’s the playoffs or bust for Saleh because you can’t justify keeping a coach who has lost at double-figure games four years in a row.

2. Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears

Record with team: 10-24 in two seasons

Playoff appearances: None

Matt Eberflus’ situation might be the hardest situation to gauge. The Chicago Bears (7-10) rebounded from an 0-4 start, but they still finished tied for last in the NFC North. Eberflus ‘ job status will depend on a successful draft and figuring out what to do with Justin Fields. Taking Caleb Williams with the first overall pick seems too tempting. If that happens, Fields will likely be traded. Then it’s up to Eberflus’ staff to develop the young players. But what if Williams struggles and another first-round QB like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels excels early? Eberflus might be kicked out before the season ends.

1. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys

Record with team: 42-25 in four seasons

Playoff appearances: Three

Even Mike McCarthy’s family probably can’t believe he’s back. McCarthy seems like a lame duck because he’s in the final year of his original contract. While McCarthy’s regular-season record is good, his Dallas Cowboys (12-5) are 1-3 in the playoffs. They were out-coached in the 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in a game that wasn’t as close as the score. Curiously, Jerry Jones with McCarthy even though Belichick and Jim Harbaugh were available. The questions many had about McCarthy when he was in charge of Green Bay are the same ones plaguing him in Dallas: a decent coach whose record was inflated by the talent around him.

About Michael Grant

Born in Jamaica. Grew up in New York City. Lives in Louisville, Ky. Sports writer. Not related to Ulysses S. Grant, Anthony Grant, Amy Grant or Hugh Grant.

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