With the NFL’s regular season coming to a close, there will be several job openings around the league after the inevitable round of head coach firings.
There are plenty of NFL coaches who find themselves in the hot seat heading into the 2024 offseason. A few of the names on the list may shock you given their history of the franchise’s current direction. For some, it’s overdue. For others, it feels like the end of an era.
Here are the NFL coaches most likely to find themselves on the outside looking in when the 2024 NFL season gets underway.
Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith’s job is definitely on life support and has been since the team lost to the hapless Carolina Panthers a few weeks back. The Falcons showed promise to start the season but quarterback struggles killed their hopes at a postseason. In his third season at the helm, the blame falls squarely on Smith’s shoulders.
The franchise could have helped him out in the offseason and traded for Lamar Jackson but curiously decided not to. Instead, Atlanta is en route to their third-straight losing season under Smith (possibly even a third-straight 7-10 finish). Given that the NFC South is down in general, this isn’t the time to be stuck in neutral. Regardless, it might be too late for him to get back in drive.
Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
Another coach who may be joining Smith in the unemployment line is Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints. Like Smith, the issue for the Saints seems to be at quarterback, which makes it all the more disappointing since they signed Derek Carr earlier this offseason. Carr has struggled with injuries and in general, and now the Saints find themselves fighting for a playoff spot.
Saints’ fans have lost their patience with not only their quarterback but head coach, who has barely improved the franchise in his second season. The fans seem to want a change and they want it now. Saints fans have grown tired of the team falling short of the lofty expectations set by Sean Payton and Drew Brees, and it’s hard to imagine Allen will be able to reach those heights.
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys might be on the way to the playoffs but that doesn’t mean Mike McCarthy‘s job isn’t in jeopardy. The issue isn’t the Cowboys making the playoffs, it’s how far they make it in the playoffs. The best way to describe the Cowboys under McCarthy is inconsistent. For example, they are undefeated at home but can be a complete disaster on the road. Lucky for them, the Philadelphia Eagles are imploding, opening the door for an NFC East title and playoff bye week. But all that does is add even more pressure to McCarthy’s plate. It might be Super Bowl or bust for him, especially if Jerry Jones sees a shinier new toy that he can replace his head coach with.
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
There have been rumors for weeks that the Patriots have decided to move on from Bill Belichick. As good as he has been for years, the legendary Super Bowl champion has struggled since Tom Brady left town. The last two years have been rough for this once-proud franchise. They missed the playoffs while quarterback Mac Jones has been a major bust. The blame for the Pats’ struggles falls at the feet of Belichick, whose ornery mentality works fine when the team is ranking up Lombardi Trophies but grows tired when they’re losing each week. Given that New England will be in rebuild mode next season, this might be the right time to move on from their legendary head coach and begin a new era.
