The NFL’s “Black Monday” is sort of upon us. It’s the primary unofficial day of the offseason for non-playoff groups, and historically when the vast majority of teaching firings are introduced — with the seek for a brand new period starting.
We already know a minimum of three groups who will likely be looking, with the Bears, Jets, and Saints all firing their coaches midseason and dealing underneath interims. Because it stands, it doesn’t look like any of those interim coaches have achieved sufficient to transform their momentary statuses into full-time jobs, so that they go with out mentioning right here.
As a substitute we’re trying on the established coaches who could possibly be out of a job come Monday, and there are some surprises.
Trending the mistaken method — could possibly be gone on Black Monday
Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s been a whole lot of silence out of Jacksonville, however when the mud settles it’s powerful to think about that Doug Pederson will return to the Jaguars. This season started with a lot promise, with proprietor Shad Khan believing this was the most-talented Jaguars group since he took over as proprietor — and on paper he wasn’t mistaken, however the whole lot went off the rails.
Pederson’s determination making appeared out of contact this season. His workers let him down. Trevor Lawrence regressed after signing an enormous contract, and the whole lot went mistaken. Six months in the past it felt just like the Jags can be vying for an AFC South title, and now they’re selecting within the High 10.
For all these causes it wouldn’t be shocking to see Pederson gone on Black Monday.
Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders
This experiment didn’t repay. Stress from contained in the locker room led to the Raiders conserving on Pierce after he was an interim coach in 2023, and on paper it appeared like a superb transfer. Usually a franchise recognized for large, splashy, dumb teaching hirings made an clever selection and it felt like this was going to pan out.
A 12 months later, it didn’t. Pierce is clearly out of his depth as a full-time head coach, and he wanted one other 12 months or two of seasoning. The Raiders are underneath huge stress to win proper now, and with a quarterback change on the horizon it is sensible to simply make wholesale modifications throughout the board.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
A shock title to crop up in the previous couple of weeks, Shane Steichen is getting a heaping serving to of blame for the Colts lacking the playoffs as soon as once more. Reviews range from his combating for his job, to being a lock to return in 2025 — which places this complete scenario in jeopardy.
For what it’s price: Firing Steichen can be an enormous mistake. The Colts have largely out-swung their expertise in every of the final two years, and the largest blemish on the teaching workers is the unbelievable mishandling of Anthony Richardson, who was thrust right into a beginning position too early and has struggled to realize his type due to it.
Nonetheless, there’s not many higher choices this group might rent — so the established order is the proper transfer.
Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
This could be a little bit of a stunner to see the Pats drop Mayo after only one season, however there have been grumblings out of New England that the primary 12 months head coach doesn’t have a whole lot of followers within the locker room or entrance workplace.
Much less of a case of unhealthy efficiency inflicting a group to fireplace their coach (the Pats had been precisely as unhealthy as we thought they’d be in 2024), and extra a case of “this isn’t the proper man,” don’t be stunned is Mayo turns into a “shock” firing after only one 12 months.
Trending up — might have saved their job
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
If there’s one main argument for conserving Brian Daboll it’s that he inherited a whole lot of messes. Daboll didn’t ask for Daniel Jones to be his beginning quarterback or for the entrance workplace to let Saquon Barkley depart.
Deep down the Giants know their issues are deeper, and impartial of Brian Daboll. Down the stretch he’s managed to get this haphazard group swinging above their weight class and beating the Colts in Week 18.
This group is aware of it couldn’t court docket a top-tier coach in the event that they fired Daboll, whereas each needy group within the league would inquire in regards to the Giants’ coach if he bought fired. That’s why he’s bought a greater probability of staying at this level.
Must carry out within the playoffs
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ head coach was on the quick observe to being fired after Philly’s horrific begin, however the group steadied itself a excessive playoff seed and seemingly saved his job.
That stated, there’s nonetheless some murmurs that there’s a robust perception Sirianni was bailed out by the stellar play of Saquon Barkley this season (he was), and with a contract solely set to run by 2025 he’s at a crossroads the place the group will both have to decide to him long-term, or reduce bait and discover a new coach.
Every thing might hinge on the playoffs for Sirianni’s future. A win or two would probably preserve him with the Eagles, but when there was a surprising loss within the Wild Card spherical then something might occur.
Who the hell is aware of
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
Attempting to guess what the Cowboys will do is a bit like sending a five-year-old into their room and inform them to decorate themselves. There’s a superb probability they’ll come out trying weird, or sporting an previous Halloween costume.
It’s abundantly clear McCarthy isn’t the man to steer Dallas again to Tremendous Bowl glory, and but the group appears content material to keep up the established order. That makes this job a complete tossup the place it wouldn’t be shocking if McCarthy stays, or the group hires a wild coach no person noticed coming.
