Kevin O'Connell

The head coach is the most important position for an NFL team, aside from the quarterback, as they’re the brains behind playmaking, offensive and defensive schemes, helping get free agents and drafted players together, and leading them into battle against opposing teams. When a team has a great head coach, it becomes a playoff and championship contender for years to come. However, some coaches try to keep the ship afloat, but lose control of the locker room and watch the on-field product deteriorate right in front of their eyes. It’s never fun seeing our favorite NFL teams struggle, but someone has to take the fall first, and that person is usually the head coach. Here at TPS, we’re going to look at 10 head coaches who’ll likely be fired before the end of the 2026 season.  Which NFL coaches will likely get booted out in 2026? Zac TaylorBengals head coach Zac Taylor during their game against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday January 4, 2025. The Bengals lead the game at halftime with a score of 13-7. Taylor’s time with the Bengals can be described as a guy who oversaw a cultural shift in the team by leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1988 season and making them a playoff contender. Then, the wheels slowly began to fall off, and the Bengals have entered the mediocrity stage once again, as Taylor has constantly relied on Joe Burrow to get the job done, even though he’s battled through injuries in recent years. The Bengals have struggled throughout the middle of the regular season and have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons so far. Taylor’s head coaching record in Cincinnati is currently 52-63-1, which is below 0.500. Taylor and the Bengals must earn a record above 0.500 and try to return to the playoffs to keep his job afloat. He was able to save his job by getting defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo fired at the end of the 2024 season. Taylor’s coaching seat is arguably the hottest in the NFL, as the upcoming 2026 season is likely his last chance to get the Bengals back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season, when the Bengals reached the AFC Championship. Todd BowlesTodd Bowles (Photo via Barry Reeger-Imagn Images) Bowles took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coaching job as a successor to Bruce Arians and has brought steady defensive leadership to the team during his tenure. The Bucs have won the NFC South in 2022, 2023, and 2024 under Bowles’ watch, but the team has been average at best and has the advantage of playing in a very weak NFC South. Bowles’ NFL playoff record is also not great, as he has a 1-3 record in the playoffs with the team’s lone playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 Wildcard Round as a coach.  The 2025 Bucs finished the year with an 8-9 record, but in second place in the division after tying with the Carolina Panthers (who finished in first) and the Atlanta Falcons (who finished in third), and missed out on the playoffs. Bowles’ defense has played fair to average, but the offense has regressed slowly over time due to changing offensive coordinators multiple times, as Byron Leftwich was fired after the 2022 season, Dave Canales became the Carolina Panthers head coach after the 2023 season, Liam Coen became the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach after the 2024 season, and Josh Grizzard was fired after the 2025 season. Sure, Baker Mayfield was able to play well with the changes at offensive coordinator over the years, but Bowles and the Bucs must find an offensive coordinator who’ll stick around and rebuild the offense for the better. Will new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson get the job done? We’ll have to find out. If the Bucs continue to regress under Bowles’ watch during the 2026 season, don’t be surprised if the team decides to part ways with him before the season concludes.  Todd MonkenTodd Monken. Credit: Lisa Scalfaro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Although Monken was hired to be Kevin Stefanski’s successor for the 2026 Cleveland Browns, he could still be shown the exit if the team struggles during the regular season. The Browns have a bizarre situation at quarterback, as Deshaun Watson is expected to start, but has struggled in recent years when he’s healthy on the field. Shedeur Sanders is the next man up and has described Monken as bringing new vibes and new energy, according to Complex. The Browns also have Dillon Gabriel and recently drafted Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green on the roster, making the situation a weird period of transition to find who’ll be the long-term starter. On top of that, the Browns are dealing with salary cap issues, which are holding them back from signing true Pro Bowl-like talent to assist guys like Myles Garrett. Monken did have success as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, but he may not see the same offensive success in Cleveland, as the Ravens have a more talented roster.If the Browns’ offense earns only four or five wins, it would be another unsuccessful season for them, as the team’s offense has numerous deficiencies that must be addressed.   If the rebuild fails under Monken’s watch, he and general manager Andrew Bailey will likely be shown the exit before or after the conclusion of the 2026 season.  Aaron GlennAaron Glenn. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Aaron Glenn era with the Jets had a disastrous 2025 season, as Gang Green finished the year with a 3-14 record, and is most notably known for Glenn’s sideline dancing during the team’s week three matchup against the Buccaneers for blocking a field goal, but ended up losing the game 29-27. The roster hasn’t gotten any better as the team saw roster stagnation and defensive regression under Glenn’s watch. Glenn took over the defensive playcalling for the 2026 season, and if the unit continues to regress and take more steps backward, the criticisms will fall on Glenn’s shoulders. Even with Glenn being a defensive-minded head coach, the offense under Glenn’s watch has not particularly played well, either, as the team had a quarterback carousel in 2025, as both Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor struggled under center for the majority of the NFL season. On top of that, Glenn fired most of his coaching staff as a last-ditch effort to keep his job safe for the upcoming season.  Jets’ owner Woody Johnson has made impulsive changes when things go south, and if the Jets start the 2026 season on the wrong foot, Glenn could be shown the exit before the season ends.  Nick SirianniNov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Despite an excellent record, Sirianni is on the hot seat as the Eagles are in championship-or-bust mode, and that places him under a massive microscope. Eagles’ owner Jefferie Lurrie’s patience can run thin if the Eagles continue to have late-season collapses and early playoff exits under Sirianni’s watch. Not to mention frictions in the locker room with quarterback Jalen Hurts because of offensive stagnation. Sirianni and the Eagles did fire former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after their Wildcard round exit against the San Francisco 49ers, and have since hired Sean Mannion to be the team’s next offensive coordinator and to fix the system for the 2026 season. If Mannion’s system flops late in the 2026 season, it could potentially cost Sirianni his job, and he would be out of excuses.  In today’s NFL, having a successful offensive scheme leads to championships down the road, or if one slips up, everything drifts backward towards mediocrity. That is the immense pressure Sirianni is under in the city of “Brotherly Love.” Shane SteichenIndianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen talks to press Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis. After the Colts finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record, Steichen’s coaching seat is starting to feel intense heat, as the Colts have not made the playoffs under his watch. Steichen enters his fourth season coaching the Colts, as this could potentially be his final year coaching the team if he fails to get them over the hump and out of mediocrity in the NFL.  Steichen was hired by the Colts in 2023 because he was an offensive mastermind and a quarterback guru. However, the Colts’ offense has struggled under Sheichen’s watch and has failed to find long-term consistency. Sure, Daniel Jones was playing some of his best football to begin the 2025 season, but the Colts immediately fell apart after Jones’ season ended because of his Achilles injury, which was not a good look for Sheichen. Not to mention the trade for Sauce Gardner is looking like a complete flop, as they surrendered two first-round picks and A.D. Mitchell for his services, which also makes Steichen look bad. If the Colts continue to have more mediocre seasons and losing streaks, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts’ ownership decides to make a change at head coach. Dan QuinnAug 18, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn looks on from the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Quinn’s coaching seat is seeing a massive increase in temperature after the Commanders finished 2025 with a disappointing 5-12 record and missed the playoffs. The disastrous 2025 campaign led to the Commanders making a roster and staff overhaul, which puts more pressure on Quinn’s job.  One of those weird moves was moving on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who is now the assistant head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. This move might come back and bite Quinn and the Commanders during the 2026 season Quinn’s Commanders struggled defensively during the 2025 season, which is a terrible look for him, as he wants to right the ship in the Nation’s Capital. On top of that, quarterback Jayden Daniels was injured for a good chunk of the season, and he must stay healthy in 2026. If Quinn’s coaching changes and new roster pieces flop during the 2026 season, Commanders’ owner Josh Harris might consider making a change during the middle of the season. Kevin O’ConnellNov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell warms up with his team before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images O’Connell’s seat in the “Twin Cities” is getting warmer, as the Vikings finished the 2025 season with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs. J. J. McCarthy, who was injured for all of 2024, struggled in the 2025 season, throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 10 games. Because of the lost season, the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, essentially giving O’Connell organizational control, which is never easy in today’s NFL, as one wrong move in crafting a strong roster can result in disaster, especially with the pressure of having a winning season again for a coach. O’Connell is also 0-2 in the playoffs, as his Vikings teams saw early Wildcard round exits in January 2023 against the New York Giants and in January 2025 against the Los Angeles Rams, respectively.  The Vikings’ making it back to the playoffs after the 2026 season is not guaranteed, as the competition in the NFC North will always be competitive.  If the Vikings miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season, the Vikings’ ownership could show O’Connell the exit and would have to commit to a rebuild for the 2027 season.  Brian SchottenheimerDallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images) Although Schottenheimer is a good offensive-minded head coach, the Cowboys struggled in 2025, finishing the year with a 7-10 record and missing the NFL playoffs. The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, as the defense regressed under Schottenheimer’s watch. It also didn’t help Schottenheimer that Micah Parsons was traded before the start of the 2025 season, which was a factor in why the defense struggled.  Schottenheimer brought in a new coaching staff to try to right the ship for the 2026 season. If the new staff fails to help the Cowboys earn a winning season, the blame will be entirely on Schottenheimer. Despite being on the hot seat, Schottenheimer has kept the locker room under control, which is a plus. However, the Cowboys must turn things around in 2026, or the temperature on Schottenheimer’s seat will increase to the point where the team might have to fire him and replace him with someone else. Dave CanalesDec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Canales’ time in Carolina has been a work in progress, but he’s on the hot seat because of owner David Tepper’s impatience and his reputation for being impulsive with the coaches he has hired. Despite making the playoffs in the 2025 season, Canales and the Panthers have struggled to post a winning record. All of that could change in 2026, depending on how Bryce Young’s development goes for the upcoming season. If he continues to improve, Canales’ seat will get cooler; if Young regresses in the 2026 season, the heat will continue to build up.  Even though the Panthers play in the very weak NFC South, Canales and the Panthers must step up in 2026 and prove that their 2025 season wasn’t just a fluke. Canales has also been inconsistent with his playcalling and failures in the red zone, which resulted in having offensive coordinator Brad Idzik call plays instead, adding more pressure to Canales’ job. If the Panthers show signs of regression during the 2026 season, Canales could be out of a job before the season concludes.