A tale as old as time, the NFL coaches on the hot seat is always a discussion we have late in the season. With just two weeks remaining in the 2020 NFL regular season, we are finally nearing the conclusion of a roller coaster of 17 weeks of football. Tasked with navigating rosters due to complications arising from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, difficulties have been created across the league for many teams. However, with the playing field even for every coach heading into the year.
The pandemic can not be used as an excuse for those already in hot water with their respective franchises. While Matt Patricia, Dan Quinn, and Bill O’Brien have already got the ax as their teams once again had down years, in this article, we take a look at another five NFL coaches on the hot seat as the season nears its end.
Five NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat
5. Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have been ravaged by injuries all season long, with star safety Derwin James, running back Austin Ekeler, and offensive lineman Mike Pouncey all missing time for the team. Lynn has been unable to get the job done all season long. Routinely out-coached late in games, the fourth-year man has made many individual mistakes that have cost the Chargers victories late in games.
Providing the Falcons many opportunities to win their Week 14 matchup, Lynn choose to run the ball late in the half with no timeouts at his disposal, leading the team to be unable to spike the ball for a field goal attempt, resulting in no points.
Especially shaky on special teams, Los Angeles ranks dead last in the NFL in team DVOA from their unit. With the future remaining bright behind rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, the time has come to move on from Anthony as the first of the NFL coaches on the hot seat.
4. Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
Once thought of as one of the best head coaches in the business, Zimmer had led the Vikings to a disappointing 6-8 record through 15 weeks of the season. Routinely choosing to invest time and money elsewhere along with general manager Rick Spielman, the seven-year veteran has allowed quarterback Kirk Cousins to be sacked 34 times in 2020, the seventh-highest mark in the league. In addition to this, he has been unable to mask the team’s offseason losses as Minnesota’s defense ranks 23rd in the league with over 386 yards allowed per game.
Losers to the Bears in Week 15, a consistent theme of his tenure with the Vikings has been the inability to win in primetime and beat teams with winning records. An attractive job with talent on both sides of the football, a change of scenery is best for both parties.
3. Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars
Enjoying another miserable season at the bottom of the AFC South, the Jaguars have lost 13 straight games since beginning the year 1-0. With three straight losing season’s following their appearance in the AFC Championship game, Marrone has compiled a 23-41 record as the leader of Jacksonville. Currently holding the second-worst point differential at -147, the Jaguars are now destined to draft Trevor Lawrence following the Jets win over the Rams on Sunday.
After being given a vote of confidence by owner Shahid Khan to remain the team’s head coach for the duration of the season, the writing is on the wall for Marrone. After the firing of Tom Coughlin a year ago and the dismissal of general manager David Caldwell earlier on in the season, look for the former Syracuse Orange coach to be a Black Monday casualty.
2. Vig Fangio, Denver Broncos
Rolled at the hands of Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, the Broncos secured their fourth losing season in a row. Losers of five of their last seven games after beginning the season 3-4, Denver has regressed mightily on defense from a year ago. The team has fallen from the number nine overall scoring unit to the 26th overall unit. In addition to this, the Broncos have also fallen from fifth in pass defense to tenth overall in 2020 due to a revolving door of players in the secondary.
More concerning for the franchise is the regression of quarterback Drew Lock in his second year under Fangio as the former Missouri Tiger is only completing 57.7 percent of his passes while tossing 13 interceptions, leading his QBR to drop by a full 14 points. With Jon Elway lacking the patience to sit and wait after the lofty expectations placed around his team after a busy offseason, look for the Broncos to move on from Fangio in the offseason.
1. Adam Gase, New York Jets
The easiest call on the NFL coaches on the hot seat list, Gase is as good as gone after yet another miserable as the leader of the Jets. Once considered one of the best offensive minds in football a few years ago, the former leader of the Miami Dolphins has led the team to a 32nd ranking in passing yards per game (168.2), total yards per game (290.9), and points per game (14.7).
In addition to this, Gase has created disgruntled relationships with star players inside the Jets locker room, leading to former running back Le’Veon Bell and safety Jamal Adams to be vocal about their relationship with their ex-head coach after leaving. Finally, Gase has just looked unorganized all season long, leading him to relinquish the playcalling duties on offense in Week 11, only to reclaim them in a circus act in Week 12.
Destined for another house cleaning with longtime defensive coordinator Greg Williams already getting the boot after the team’s last-second loss to the Raiders; hopefully, New York can finally get one right during their next head coaching search.
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