NFL Head Coach Hot Seat Index

Now that we are past week 7, it’s time to check in on the NFL head coach hot seat index. Some teams have underperformed based on preseason expectations and it is usually at this time we hear inklings of a team that is looking to move on from their head coach midseason. Who is on the hot seat and who is not? Let’s dive in.

NFL Head Coach Hot Seat Index

Right now, I have eight coaches that I have seen substantial rumors of being on the hot seat. It isn’t all teams that are at the bottom of the standings. For example, Brian Daboll’s job is safe in my opinion. The same goes for Sean Payton. Daboll is coming off a Coach of the Year win and has been dealing with injury after injury. The Broncos gave up significant draft capital to bring in Payton. They will give him more than a year. History says that someone will get fired midseason. Onto the candidates!

Frank Reich Carolina Panthers

Seat Temperature: Warmer Than You Think

I’m starting out this list with a surprise candidate. Reich is in his first year in Carolina and it has been dubious. In the offseason, the team traded up for the number one overall pick and reportedly was still deciding on who to take. Reports have suggested that Reich wanted CJ Stroud but ownership wanted Bryce Young. Reich alluded to ownership meddling too much in a press conference which isn’t a great look. Normally first-year head coaches have to be a trainwreck in order to get fired (see Nathanial Hackett) but his ownership comments along with the winless record makes this seat warmer than you think.

Bill Belichick New England Patriots

Seat Temperature: Comfortable

This is the most difficult one to predict. I went with comfortable because I don’t think his seat is cold but I also don’t think it is warm either. The Patriots have had a horrible season albeit a little better after their win against Buffalo. It came out during that game that Belichick had signed an extension in the offseason. I personally don’t see Belichick getting fired midseason. Depending on what happens for the rest of 2023, the offseason may see some fireworks but right now, Belichick’s seat is comfortable.

Josh McDaniels Las Vegas Raiders

Seat Temperature: Should Be Hot But Mark Davis Keeps Pouring Ice Water On It

McDaniels should be on the top of the NFL head coach hot seat index. The team has underperformed two years in a row. Despite having a top-five pass-rusher in Maxx Crosby and a top-five receiver in Davante Adams, the team consistently finds ways to lose. A lot of it is from wild coaching decisions by McDaniels. However, owner Mark Davis has been on a rampage to defend his head coach. He has told fans the “smarten up” basically saying that they don’t know football like he and McDaniels do. This seat should be hot but Davis is making it more comfortable.

Matt Eberflus Chicago Bears

Seat Temperature: Heated Seat In A Car That Has Been On For 15 Minutes

You know when you turn on the heated seat in a car and initially it feels good but then after about 15 minutes you realize your buns are sweating? That’s the hot seat for Matt Eberflus. After a strong offseason, the beginning of the season looked bleak. However, the team has shown some life recently. With a couple of wins on the season and improvement being shown, it would not shock me if Eberflus finds a way to keep his job after this season. If the trajectory of this team continues to go up, the seat should go back to a normal temperature.

Dennis Allen New Orleans Saints

Seat Temperature: Feeling A Hint Of Warmth

The Saints are very much in the thick of the NFC South race and chances are that they find a way to come out on top. However, sitting at 3-4 is not ideal, especially with the Buccaneers and Falcons performing well. The Saints are chronically all in and they continued the trend by signing Derek Carr in the offseason. His play has been less than thrilling and the offense has had its moments but overall has struggled to move the ball. If the Saints miss the playoffs, I expect the Saints to go and try to find someone else.

Ron Rivera Washington Commanders

Seat Temperature: Scalding But Does Rivera Care?

Going into the season, Rivera seemed like a lame-duck coach. His emotionless demeanor on the sidelines for every game gives the appearance that he really doesn’t care what happens to his job. A new ownership group would love to come in and shake things up. Rivera is getting fired and he knows it which makes this addition to the NFL head coach hot seat index unexciting.

Matt LaFleur Green Bay Packers

Seat Temperature: Colder Than An Ice Cube In A Freezer In Antarctica

LaFleur is not getting fired this season. I know that Jordan Love and the offense have been atrocious. Losing to the Denver Broncos after a bye week is less than ideal. However, LaFleur began his head coaching tenure with three straight 13-win seasons. His 47 wins in four years gives him a very long leash. I understand the uproar and it is warranted but the team wouldn’t give up after this season. If next season starts the same way, that ice cube may be in a freezer in Brazil but right now that seat is as cold as it gets.

Brandon Staley Los Angeles Chargers

Seat Temperature: The Analytics Say It’s Hot

Of all the coaches that could be on the hot seat, Staley has something that all of them don’t, a franchise quarterback. Justin Herbert is a franchise guy which means this team should be winning games. Furthermore, Staley came in as a defensive guy and the defense has looked horrible. The defense apparently forgot to cover Travis Kelce on Sunday and can be cut through like butter. JC Jackson is being paid to play on another team and was a huge reason why the Patriots upset the Bills. It’s hard to say you are a defensive-minded coach and then have this defense on the field week in and week out. Unless the Chargers go on a run, Staley is likely to get burned.

That is my NFL head coach hot seat index. It will be interesting to see who becomes the first head coach fired in the 2023 season.