In the adrenaline-fueled world of American football, the days of patience and stability for NFL head coaches seem like a relic of the past. Gone are the times when a coach could possibly escape the hot seat after four years without sniffing the postseason. One only needs to look at the rapid turnover in the league, where teams like the Houston Texans can go from worst to playoffs in the blink of an eye.
The pressure on coaches now starts immediately, with poor starts in their first year putting them on notice. Just ask Nathaniel Hackett and Frank Reich, who couldn’t survive the heat of their inaugural campaigns. And if a coach doesn’t deliver playoff success within three years, they might as well start packing their bags. Even coaching legends like Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll found themselves on the chopping block after disappointing seasons in 2023.
“The only thing we’ve been guaranteed is 17 games,” lamented one coach.
“If that,” another replied.
It’s a year-round game of musical chairs for coaches now, with seven of them feeling the heat heading into the 2024 season. The pressure is on, and the seats are ranked from lukewarm to scalding.
The last two quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall, Trevor Lawrence and Bryce Young, saw their coaches axed before their rookie seasons ended. The circumstances were extreme, especially with the Urban Meyer debacle in Jacksonville. There’s already speculation about coaches like Eberflus, who might be feeling the heat after the arrival of rookie sensation Caleb Williams.
Sean McDermott, coach of the Buffalo Bills, is feeling a low simmer despite his success in the AFC East. Four consecutive division titles and five playoff appearances are commendable, but the lack of deep postseason runs is raising eyebrows. The pressure is mounting, especially with franchise quarterback Josh Allen in his prime.
As for Allen, the head coach faces a make-or-break season. With no playoff appearances and a lackluster career record, time might be running out for him to turn things around. The defense has shined, but the offense needs to catch up if potential playoff success is to be realized.
It’s a familiar story for coaches like Allen, who are given a second chance in a new city after previous failures. But with a lackluster record and no playoff appearances to show for it, the pressure is on for a successful reset. Otherwise, it might just be time for another change in leadership.
