It’s not a enjoyable offseason matter, however there are already some NFL coaches who’re feeling the warmth earlier than coaching camp even begins. Final season noticed mammoth change across the league with long-term coaches Mike Tomlin (Steelers), John Harbaugh (Ravens), Sean McDermott (Payments), and Kevin Stefanski (Browns) all let go after lengthy tenures.
The shared DNA of those coaches was a way that they had hit a plateau. Besides Stefanski, they have been all main playoff-caliber groups, and in Tomlin and Harbaugh, they’d even received Tremendous Bowls of their respective cities. Nonetheless, soccer is all about evolving, and for those who stagnate for too lengthy, there are going to be questions. House owners are notoriously impatient, and a window to compete solely stays open so lengthy.
These are the blokes who start the 2026 season with questions marks about their NFL futures.
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
There may be completely no query that Kyle Shanahan is a remarkably good soccer coach, but it surely’s additionally truthful to query whether or not or not he’s carried out the whole lot he can with the 49ers. The scenario in San Francsico is beginning to give off the identical vibes as Andy Reid with the Eagles, the place one thing simply isn’t clicking to get this crew over the hump.
Shanahan was my private coach of the yr in 2025 for a way he managed the crew’s myriad accidents and nonetheless put a aggressive product on the sphere. If this crew will get wholesome and as soon as once more fails to make a run to the Tremendous Bowl then it’s in all probability truthful to start out asking some questions. Whereas Shanny has had big-time success with two NFC Championships and 5 playoff berths, he’s additionally 0.550 in win proportion, and routinely leads a crew picked to all of it, solely to fall simply quick.
This wouldn’t be a case of Shanahan leaving due to poor efficiency, however somewhat an understanding that the established order wasn’t working for both facet.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
In some unspecified time in the future that is going to come back to move. Taylor is definitely one of many worst head coaches within the NFL, however he meets one essential criterion for the Bengals: He’s low-cost. That’s in truth the one factor that has saved him in Cincinnati so lengthy, with low-cost management prioritizing the underside line over success.
Taylor’s contract runs by 2027, however firing him after this yr is rather a lot simpler to abdomen if it means paying him one yr of his remaining wage, not a number of. The group is strolling a tightrope between attempting to maintain its star gamers joyful, whereas additionally being as low-cost as doable with its entrance workplace.
Proper now, the facility is within the palms of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. One other down season will result in the groups greatest stars elevating hell, and at this level the shortage of profitable is outweighing the value of protecting Taylor due to his wage.
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Loads hinges on this season. After a down 2025 led to the Lions lacking the playoffs and taking a step again in each offense and protection, it’s solely proper to ponder whether or not or not Detroit fell into the opening of getting a very good, not nice coach — whereas dropping two sensible coordinators.
It appears ridiculous that Campbell might be on the new seat after being the one coach to deliver sustained success to the Lions in over 20 years, however this crew can’t afford to backslide extra the best way they did in 2025. Particularly if meaning sitting at residence and watching the Ben Johnson-led Bears thrive within the playoffs.
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Let’s be actual right here: Not even Todd Bowles expects Todd Bowles to be a head coach in 2027. That is seemingly a mulligan yr with him as the top coach, with the expectation being that Tampa Bay will purpose to rent Mike Tomlin in 2027 following a yr off.
This can be a case the place the Bucs have been profitable regardless of Bowles, not likely due to him — typified by the truth that two former offensive coordinators in Dave Canales (Panthers) and Liam Coen (Jaguars) have gone on to show their respective groups round.
It’s a make-or-break season with none doubt, and it could take one thing monumental to occur in Tampa for Bowles to return.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been on one of the crucial spectacular tears within the NFL to start out 2025, however an harm to Daniel Jones derailed a doable playoff run. That kind of took Steichen again to the place he was a yr in the past, again in a “show it” scenario.
Since changing into the Colts head coach in 2023 the crew has gone 25-and-26, failing to make the playoffs in three seasons. If that turns into a fourth yr then he might comply with the identical path as Jonathan Gannon, who employed similtaneously Steichen after being on the Eagles’ workers, solely to see a training run come to an finish rapidly.
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Glenn’s first season with the Jets was abysmal, main the crew to a 3-14 report. It received’t take rather a lot to maintain this job as a result of it’s solely his second season, but when the Jets win 4 or fewer video games in 2026 it’s truthful that the entrance workplace might hit the panic button.
With a purpose to forestall this he’ll merely want to indicate some form of progress that might be indicative of Glenn having the ability to flip this crew round. Let’s say that’s 5+ wins in 2026. It’s extra about constructing the tradition than the rest, and if that doesn’t appear to be taking place then the Jets might simply change instructions.
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