4 NFL Coaches Already on the Hot Seat

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches during training camp drills at River Ridge Fields on in Oxnard, California., August 1, 2022. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

New seasons in any sport are filled with hope. In the NFL, the start of training camp means every team’s fans believe their team can win games, get into the playoffs, and maybe, just maybe, win the Super Bowl. Confidence runs high across the league.

While rosters change and improvements are made in nearly every city, narratives carry over from one season to the next. And, even with the hopes of success, there are dark clouds over some NFL cities.

Expectations carry weight, and some head coaches should already be looking over their shoulders. Even with past success during the regular season, the only win that matters is the one in February with the Lombardi Trophy attached.

Some coaches need to win it all this year, while others are coaching to keep their jobs with significant improvement being a goal. But, there are four specific NFL head coaches who are under the most pressure to succeed this year, or they might be updating their LinkedIn profiles after the season.

Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys

In his fifth year in Dallas, McCarthy is 17 games over 0.500 during the regular season (42–25). But he’s just 1–3 in the playoffs, which is not good enough in Dallas. Of course, no Cowboys coach has won the ultimate prize since Dallas last lifted the Lombardi Trophy in 1996. Yes, that’s almost three full decades without a championship.

But this year has some extra pressure. Quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons are all asking the organization for a new contract. All three are considered elite in their position. Prescott was the runner-up for the league’s MVP last season. Parsons finished third in voting for the AP Defensive Player of the Year as well.

With the salary cap what it is, this might be the last season Dallas can keep their new Big Three together. However, if they make a tough decision, there are going to be upset fans. So, if this is the last dance for the Cowboys as they are presently put together, McCarthy really needs to get to the dance.

Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

Again, a coach in the NFC East whose record would lead you to believe he should be safe. Even though Sirianni has led the Eagles to a 34–17 record in his three seasons in charge and has a Super Bowl appearance on his resume (something McCarthy does not), there is some warmth on his seat entering the 2024 season.

Philly was in position to run away with the NFC last year but closed the regular season winning just one of their final seven games. And, outside of their Super Bowl run, the Eagles haven’t won a playoff game in another postseason.

This year’s Eagles team is loaded up once again. They landed Saquon Barkley to help their run game and have weapons all over their offense. If there’s pressure on Dallas to win it all, there’s just as much pressure in Philadelphia for the Eagles to be the team that stands between the Cowboys and the trophy at the end of the year.

Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., on Nov. 5, 2023. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

McDermott is entering his eighth season in Buffalo, and he is another head coach whose regular-season record should make him feel a bit more comfortable in his job. The Bulls are 73–41 in the regular season with McDermott as their head coach, and they have won five playoff games during his tenure.

However, the Bills have lost six playoff games and are still trying to get back to the Super Bowl. They have appeared in only one AFC championship game under McDermott. And the longer Josh Allen plays at an MVP level at quarterback, the more fans will want from their team in the postseason.

There were some significant changes to the mix in Buffalo this offseason, most notably the departure of receiver Stefon Diggs. How the Bills retool their offense for Allen will be something a lot of fans watch early in the season.

Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a 21–14 victory against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl., on Jan. 7, 2024. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears

Entering his third season as the head coach in Chicago, Eberflus has one of the worst records in NFL history (10-24) to start his career. Hired away from the Colts where he was the defensive coordinator, he joined a situation in Chicago where the organization was making seismic changes. He is now working with a new general manager and president, both of whom were hired after he was named the head coach. And the roster has been turned over completely.

After acquiring edge rusher Montez Sweat last season, the Bears’ defense was among the best in the NFL. So, there is value in Eberflus running the defense for the Bears.

But the pressure now comes from the Bears having a roster that, at least on paper, is loaded for huge improvement. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will lead what might be the best Bears offense in generations, and the defense brings back most of their key pieces with some notable free-agent improvements.

The rebuild is over in Chicago. It’s time to win for the Eberflus and the Bears. If they don’t, he might be looking for a new gig.