For the eighteen clubs guaranteed to miss the postseason in 2023, it’s time to evaluate their situation, and for a few failing coaches, it may spell the end of their career. As of right now, we are aware of the men who have already left: Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, Frank Reich in Carolina, and Brandon Staley in Los Angeles. But who else might be looking for work come spring?
Today, we get right into assessing each team’s current situation with its coach and whether a change will indeed occur at the end of the regular season.
Completely and utterly gone, with no possibility of coming back
Ron Rivera, Commanders in Washington
Rivera was granted a year to demonstrate his ability to work with the new ownership in Washington, but this season has been a complete bust. The squad’s early devotion to Jack Del Rio left them in a severe defensive hole. Even though Eric Bieniemy gave them some offensive life, the team disintegrated down the stretch, going 1-9 in their final 10 games.
One of the nicest individuals in the NFL, without a doubt, is Rivera, which has always been a blessing and a curse. Success was frequently sacrificed in order to keep his word to his players and coaching staff, a trait that accompanied Rivera from Carolina to Washington.
Rivera’s career may very well continue as a defensive coordinator, but the Commanders will likely search for a youthful, energetic coach who can guide them into a new phase of their history.
Trending incorrectly — might disappear on Black Monday
Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Smith
NFL: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts
The USA TODAY Sports’ Dale Zanine
Although it appeared that Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Smith until recently, things are not looking well in Atlanta. Prior to the club losing badly against the Bears 37-17, there had been talk that Smith would return unless there was a “major collapse” in the team’s final two games.
It’s hard to think Smith can find a way to hold it all together as the Falcons prepare to play the Saints in Week 18. That’s assuming the locker room is ready to give their coach their best shot.
Smith has struggled with accountability for the most part of his time in Atlanta, but particularly this season. Giving some players too much rope and others too little has become a defining characteristic of his unequal handling of players. In contrast to Desmond Ridder, who appeared to have limitless opportunities to establish himself, rookie Bijan Robinson was kept off the field far too often during his first season.
Atlanta was left with a sense of purposelessness as well as rudderlessness. Arthur Smith looks to be on the way out as a long-term quarterback becomes necessary, along with a coach who can find ways to utilize this team’s offensive weapons.
The Tennessee Titans’ Mike Vrabel
Though it’s absurd to consider that Vrabel’s job would be in jeopardy following his 2021 Coach of the Year victory, this is a distinct circumstance from others on our list. Instead of being fired, there are growing reports that Vrabel might be traded by the New England Patriots to replace Bill Belichick.
How come the Titans would part with their coach? There are a few good factors to think about, though:
Throughout the previous two seasons, Tennessee has declined.
It would make sense to switch to a different coach at this point.
Will Levis is a young quarterback with promise, and the Titans are expected to have the second-most cap space in the NFL next season in addition to a top-10 draft pick. Trading Vrabel away, obtaining some draft money, and finding a new club captain is an attractive package if the team isn’t convinced he’s the guy.
Trending upward—might have kept them employed
It’s hard to imagine that in the first few days of January, we’re discussing whether or not Eberflus accomplished enough in Chicago, but this season has been strange. In just a few weeks, the Bears’ defense has begun to appear competitive, Justin Fields is beginning to gel, and there may be sufficient justifications to allow Eberflus to remain.
Undoubtedly, this team still has a lot of issues. They will have to decide whether to stick with Fields and try to get more draft capital with the first overall pick (from Carolina) or draft a new quarterback and start a new era.
Fields seems to be getting a little more time at the center, which supports the theory that Eberflus may stay for continuity’s sake. Whether any of their choices was the right one will become clear with time.
Sean McDermott felt like he was dead in the sea not too long ago. The Bills appeared to have no chance of making the playoffs, and rumors of McDermott’s infamously awful “motivational speech”—in which he applauded the 9/11 terrorists—began to circulate.
The Bills are currently 10-6 and have a decent chance of making the playoffs. However, this does not imply that McDermott’s position is completely secure. Given their offensive prowess, the Bills must put on a strong postseason performance. If the Bills are eliminated early in the playoffs, McDermott may not be able to play for another season.
Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy
It’s the Cowboys’ head coach. It seems that underachieving and hearing about a potential termination are part of the employment requirements.
It certainly seem like McCarthy and the Cowboys are in for a put up or shut up year. He has continuously demonstrated that he is capable of winning in the NFL, but not in the most crucial situations.
Jerry Jones is a notoriously impatient person, so McCarthy’s time with the Cowboys may come to an early end if he leaves again.
The conventional opinion states that Belichick ought to be fired following this season, but Bill-freaking-Belichick. It is impossible to truly analyze this circumstance given the Patriots’ coach’s unmatched genius over the past 20 years.
Without a question, Foxboro needs to undergo some kind of reform. The Patriots’ current situation, with Belichick serving as both head coach and general manager, is untenable for building a winning team. A new general manager could take over and restructure the roster while Bill focuses solely on coaching.
It’s unclear whether he would accept such a shift in responsibilities.
Here, so much is yet unknown. Is Bob Kraft still of the opinion that Belichick can succeed? Is the head coach considering retiring? Would he be lured to a different position where the team has a better chance of winning at the moment? Right now, there are simply too many moving parts for us to understand what will happen.
Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll
The Seahawks had one of the biggest surprise seasons in recent memory until this year’s downturn. Carroll is a fine coach, but the real question here is whether this is the right moment to make a change.
Carroll is 72 years old and has nothing left to prove, a fact that is frequently overlooked. In the upcoming years, is it possible for him to make the team a constant winner? If the response is “no,” the group may offer him a tactful farewell, allowing him to put up his coaching hat.
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