The National Football League is a difficult business to establish job security in, especially in the coaching department. For every team that nails their head coaching hires, there is another team going through head coaches like coffee k-cups. At the same time, a handful of franchises have head coaches currently on the hot seat, with some on shorter leashes than others. It is a very “what have you done for me lately?” situation no matter the team or how the players gel with their head coach. Fans and critics should not expect any different in 2024.
Here are some current head coaches on the hot seat, starting with those in the AFC.
AFC Head Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2024
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
It is safe to say that Sean McDermott has elevated the Buffalo Bills not only back into contention, but also long-held dominance in the AFC East. With a 73-41 regular season record since 2017, he has made his team a post-season mainstay. But he never has been able to break that threshold, a.k.a, the Divisional round in the last three seasons. Not to mention Buffalo has gone through several roster and staffing changes recently. If McDermott cannot muster a winning formula for a deeper playoff run, the front office may commence window shopping for his successor.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Depending on who you ask, a lot of Cincinnati’s shortcomings are blamed on either Zac Taylor‘s coaching ability or the Bengal’s inability to compensate for devastating injuries (mainly Joe Burrow). Regardless, Taylor has put together a 37-44-1 coaching record from five seasons leading Cincy. Yes, he has gone .500 or better in his last three seasons, with a Super Bowl trip in one of them. But now, Taylor must command this dynamic offense in keeping Burrow protected and getting the Bengals back into the fighting form they had not so long ago.
Robert Saleh, New York Jets
Just last season, everything looked rosy for gang green with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. But after Rodgers got injured on his very first drive in New York, Jets fans were once again left languishing as Zach Wilson took his job back. Head coach, Robert Saleh, will be feeling the pressure coming into 2024, now that the Jets seem to have the pieces together. With a freshly reinforced offensive line to protect Rodgers, the time is now for Saleh to take this potent squad from dispiriting to formidable after three disappointing seasons as head coach.
Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Super Bowl-winning head coach has helped the Jacksonville Jaguars climb out of the wreckage of Urban Meyer‘s tenure. With an improbable playoff appearance and nearly beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round in 2022, Doug Pederson proved why Jacksonville chose him as head coach. But just last season, the Jags sort of collapsed after starting 8-3, ending 9-8 for the season and slipping out of the playoff picture. Pederson will have to go back to the drawing boards in order to not only make up for the slipups of last season but also keep his job in Duvall County.
Check back next week to see some of the head coaches in the NFC currently in the hot seat, heading into 2024.
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