Mike McCarthy, Jerry Jones in 2022 | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Which head coaches in the NFL Playoffs could be on the heat seat with an early exit?
There have been several coaching changes in the first week of the NFL postseason, with high profile names like Mike Vrabel, Pete Carroll and Arthur Smith already out of their jobs.
As we prepare for the playoffs to begin with the Super Wild Card Round this weekend, there is always the chance for some more coaching firings, even among the playoff teams.
While most coaches who make the playoffs are usually safe, it is not unheard of for teams making a coaching change after a playoff season. Let’s take a look at the chances of that happening with the 14 playoff teams this year:
These coaches are for-certain safe:
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers have made back-to-back to playoff berths under Bowles and are even back in the postseason after transitioning from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Bowles isn’t going anywhere.
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions:
Are you kidding me? Campbell owns Detroit. Long-suffering Lions’ fans see him as their savior as the team is set to host a postseason game for the first time since 1993.
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens:
All the family coaching questions are surrounding John’s brother, Jim Harbaugh. While the Michigan coach may be headed back to the NFL, John Harbaugh is firmly in place in Baltimore where he’s been since 2008. There’s no end in sight for this coach-team relationship.
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers:
LaFleur has the Packers back in the playoffs after the Aaron Rodgers divorce and the future is bright with quarterback Jordan Love, plus the Packers boast one of the youngest rosters in the league.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams:
There has been talk in recent years that Sean McVay may want to go to the broadcast booth at some point. That’s the only way he would leave. He did a great job this year and has a good thing going on in LA.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs:
The only way Big Red is leaving Arrowhead Stadium is if he retires and that’s probably not very likely.
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans:
The first-year head coach is a favorite to be the NFL Coach of the Year. The AFC is be very worried about the future of the Ryan-C.J. Stroud-led Texans.
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers:
The 49ers know they have something special in their head coach.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns:
He’s like Campbell in Detroit. Stefanski did a brilliant job in Cleveland amid a parade of injuries. The Browns will let him loose.
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Tomlin
Maybe a trade:
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers:
A few weeks ago there were grumblings that the Steelers and Tomlin may each need a new fresh start. But the truth is, Tomlin is an elite coach who has never had a losing record in 17 seasons in Pittsburgh. He led the Steelers to the playoffs this season despite big problems on offense. The only way he isn’t in Pittsburgh next year is he wants to leave and the Steelers arrange a trade. But I wouldn’t count on that.
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Mike McDaniel
Highly doubtful:
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins:
There were rumors last year that McDaniel may have been on the hot seat after losing in the playoffs. So, if the Dolphins lose at Kansas City, maybe those rumors will pop up again. If so, it would be ridiculous. McDaniel is a dynamic coach and the Dolphins are pretty battered. If he gets fired, he’d have a new coaching job by lunch time.
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills:
It’s been an up-and-down season in Buffalo. But McDermott did right the ship and they have won five games in a row to become the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. There could be some drama if the Bills are upset by the Steelers on Sunday. But McDermott will probably be given the chance to hire another offensive coordinator and try again in 2024 with a strong roster.
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Nick Sirianni
Maybe, just maybe:
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles:
It would damn-near shocking if the Eagles fire Sirianni a year after he almost won the Super Bowl. But if the Eagles are upset at Tampa Bay on Monday night, it would culminate a stunning collapse by Philadelphia. They have lost five of their last six games after starting the season 10-1. There were reports that receiver A.J. Brown led a players meeting urging them to believe in the coaching staff. That’s not a great statement. So, things could get interesting if the Eagles flounder in Tampa. Remember, the Eagles fired Doug Pederson three years after he delivered the team’s only Super Bowl championship … so sentiment only lasts so long in Philly.
The most likely to be fired
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys:
This is the one to watch. Why? Because it happens every year. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones does nothing to end the speculation of McCarthy’s job security. Recently, Jones said McCarthy will be examined after every playoff game and he made no commitments to his head coach for next year. Jones did try to clarify his comments, but it’s clear McCarthy’s job security will be fluid until he is finally out of Dallas. So, if the No. 2 seed Cowboys are upset by McCarthy’s former team, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday, things could get tense in Dallas.
