There are currently 5 head coaches in the NFL that have coached their current team more than 5 seasons. The NFL isn’t the place for job security. We’ll take a look at the status of all NFL head coaches — from the seat’s red hot to the coaches that have all the leverage. This is the 2022 NFL Hot Seat.
Check out potential replacements for NFL coaches fired this season — College Coaches That Could Jump To The NFL.
Updated 1/3/23
WIN NOW OR ELSE
Kliff Kingsbury – Arizona Cardinals
This seat is hot enough it’s almost a certainty at this point. ESPN reported that Kingsbury was “miserable” and is considering resigning. It seems unlikely that Kingsbury would walk away from his contract that pays him until 2027. It is likely that the Cardinals will show him the door following the season.
Kevin Stefanski – Cleveland Browns
A disappointing 8-9 record last season. One more of those seasons and he moves up this list in a hurry.
Lovie Smith – Houston Texans
If he can turn the Texans into a contender he should get a lifetime contract. Unfortunately, there may be nothing Smith can do to avoid the hot seat.
Nathaniel Hackett – Denver Broncos
A first year head coach with a veteran quarterback should keep Hackett safe for a while.
UPDATE: Hackett wasn’t given an opportunity to finish his first season and was fired December 26, 2022.
Frank Reich – Indianapolis Colts
Most organizations would love Reich’s 37-28 record, but things feel far from stable with the quarterback carousel in Indy.
UPDATE: Reich was fired November 7, 2022, following a 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers
Rhule had found success in each of his previous stops until he met the NFL. It’s only been two seasons for Rhule in the NFL, but it doesn’t look good. His success this season will largely rely on the arm of Baker Mayfield. This may be a situation where the Panthers and Rhule mutually agree to go their separate ways. Rhule would be a hot commodity if he decided to go back to college football.
UPDATE: Matt Rhule was fired by the Carolina Panthers on October 10, 2022, after a 1-4 start to the season.
THINGS ARE GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Mike McDaniel – Miami Dolphins
Owner patience will not be on McDaniel’s side with the offensive weapons they’ve invested in. Win quick or he’ll move to the top of this list.
Ron Rivera – Washington Redskins
A solid coach that will have you in the playoff hunt. Because Rivera works for Dan Snyder, maybe he should permanently be in the “things are getting uncomfortable” category.
Arthur Smith – Atlanta Falcons
A so-so first season at 7-10. A division title would help solidify his status, but Tom Brady stands in the way.
Josh McDaniels – Las Vegas Raiders
He didn’t make it two full season in his first head coaching try with the Broncos. The Raiders, believe it or not, seem to be a stable organization with pieces in place for McDaniels to succeed.
Robert Saleh – New York Jets
Can anyone win with the Jets? Saleh appears to be a good coach, but might run out of time before they make the playoffs again.
UPDATE: A surprising 5-3 start had Saleh as a Coach of the Year candidate. Now losers of 5 straight, the Jets will again miss the playoffs. Progress has been made, but Saleh will likely have at most 2 more seasons to get the Jets to the playoffs.
COMFORTABLE, FOR NOW
Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions
It’s only been one season for Campbell, but only 3 wins will warm your seat. His teams seem to play hard which might be all this organization can ask from him.
UPDATE: Campbell has the Lions one win away from ending a long-time playoff drought and has moved himself from the top of the hot seat list to Coach of the Year candidate.
Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks
An impressive run seems to be coming to an end for Carroll. Hard to see things improving with Drew Lock as your quarterback.
UPDATE: Nobody anticipated Geno Smith possibly extending Carroll’s stay in Seattle.
Matt Eberflus – Chicago Bears
Definitely not a sexy hire, but neither was John Harbaugh. Develop a quarterback and Chicago will build you a statue.
Zac Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals
What a difference a playoff run can make. From hot seat to contract extension. With Joe Burrow as his quarterback, Taylor may have a home in Cincinnati for quite some time.
Matt LaFleur – Green Bay Packers
LaFleur may be the head coach, but he answers to Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers at quarterback there should be plenty of wins. What happens when Rodgers moves on?
Doug Pederson – Jacksonville Jaguars
Anyone would look good following Urban Meyer’s attempt at the NFL. Pederson has nowhere to go but up with the Jaguars.
Kevin O’Connell – Minnesota Vikings
A first year head coach so he’ll have some room. The Vikings had average with Mike Zimmer, so O’Connell will need to be the one to knock the Packers from the top of the NFC North.
Dennis Allen – New Orleans Saints
Following Sean Payton isn’t going to be easy. Allen has a lot riding on the shoulders of Jameis Winston.
Brian Daboll – New York Giants
If Daboll can elevate Daniel Jones to a respectable quarterback, he’ll earn some serious job security. If he can’t, he’ll quickly be back to an assistant coach.
Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles
A trip to the playoffs in Sirianni’s first year. He coaches in a town not known for patience, so those playoff appearances need to be a regular thing.
Todd Bowles – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians is a tough act to follow. Having Tom Brady at quarterback will certainly help that transition.
Mike Vrabel – Tennessee Titans
An impressive 41-24 in 4 seasons as Titans head coach. A few more playoff wins (read: Super Bowl champion) and he moves to untouchable status.
Mike McCarthy – Dallas Cowboys
The leash is always short with Jerry Jones looking over your shoulder. A decent second season (12-5) after what appeared would be a short stay in Dallas.
Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers
The reality is Shanahan is 39-42 and only one season better than 3rd place in the division. Taking that next step won’t be easy with the Rams in the way.
Brandon Staley – Los Angeles Chargers
Things should remain stable for Staley as long as Herbert remains quarterback. Competing in the AFC West is Staley’s biggest challenge.
UPDATE: Underachieving with Justin Herbert as your quarterback will put the firing bullseye on your back.
NAME YOUR PRICE
John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens
If you’re looking for competitive consistency, this is your guy. He’s going nowhere, but if the Ravens did move on, Harbaugh wouldn’t be short on NFL head coaching options.
Sean McDermott – Buffalo Bills
The Patriots were kings of the AFC East for years, but McDermott and the Bills have won the AFC East the last two years. The McDermott – Josh Allen could be a dangerous combo around for years.
Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs
Some didn’t realize Reid was one of the best until after the Super Bowl victory. He’s been one of the best for a long time. If you are looking for a contender every year, Reid is the coach you want.
Sean McVay – Los Angeles Rams
Young. Offensive minded. Super Bowl Champion. McVay has earned a very long leash.
Bill Belichick – New England Patriots
The star is starting to fade, but 17 division championships will allow you to call the shots.
Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers
Tomlin works for the most loyal organization in the league. Life post-Roethlisberger could make things interesting.
