Seven NFL teams made head-coaching changes for the 2025 season. What teams are most likely to join them in firing coaches in 2026?
Given the turnover at that position year after year, there are several coaches on the hot seat needing to produce better winning results or accept their firing fate, either during or after the season.
Here's looking at the six coaches under the most pressure to start the season:
NFL coaches on the hottest seats for 2025
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins
Why so hot? McDaniel began his time with the Miami Dolphins in 2022, taking the league by storm as an offensive wunderkind at 39. But after the team went 20-14 and made the AFC playoffs in his first two seasons, it regressed to 8-9 with McDaniel's play-calling crashing down to earth as the team finished 22nd in scoring offense.
The Dolphins no longer feel innovative and ahead of the league. Instead, it feels like they have grown stagnant, as there are also more concerns about defense.
How he can cool off: The Dolphins start the year with winnable games vs. the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots. If they don't come through in either, things can get ugly in a hurry with the Bills waiting in Week 3. An improvement back above .500 vs. another slide and a playoff trip might be needed for owner Stephen Ross not to replace him.
MORE: NFL power rankings for Week 1, from Eagles & Bills to Chiefs
Brian Daboll, Giants
Why so hot? Daboll also started hot (in a good way) by leading the New York Giants to the playoffs with a 9-7-1 record during his first season in 2022. They even advanced to the division round with QB Daniel Jones. But they have gone 9-25 in two seasons since, with Jones also being dumped in favor of Russell Wilson bridging for rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart. Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka need to restore some positive vibes.
How he can cool off: Daboll is rolling with Wilson early, but may need to turn to Dart soon after the rookie showed so much early promise in the preseason and training camp. If Daboll can show something in the reboot to Dart that the team is in a much better place at QB, it would be difficult for the Giants to break up that mojo so Dart has continuity in Year 2. For that to happen, the Giants also need to improve well from 3-14 by four or five games.
MORE: NFL predictions 2025: Final standings, playoff projections, Super Bowl 60 pick
Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Why so hot? Stefanski has led the Cleveland Browns since 2020. Like McDaniel, is an Ivy League offensive mind who had immediate success, The Browns went 11-5 and got into the playoffs in his first season, winning a wild-card game over the Pittsburgh Steelers with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.
He saved his job once when the Browns went 11-6 and made the playoffs in 2023, following a 15-19 record in his second and third seasons. After last year's 3-14 disaster, however, Stefanski's stay of execution may be finished. Unfortunately, Cleveland's roster doesn't inspire for any kind of turnaround with its latest post-Mayfield QB mess.
How he can cool off: The Browns might give Stefanski a free pass for the obvious rebuild in progress with more to come. But if they're hoping he can turn them around again, they can expect to be disappointed. A lot more patience from team officials will be required for him not to be fired.
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Shane Steichen, Colts
Why so hot? Steichen has gone 17-17 in two second-place seasons since being hired from his post as Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator. Teh biggest issue beyond the mediocrity is the lacking development of QB Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick, now benched for newcomer Daniel Jones.
How he can cool off: Steichen will need to either revive the career of Jones after his Giants fade with Daboll or fix Richardson after he takes a little more time to learn while not playing. The Colts also need to avoid from dropping further toward the division cellar with a big drop in win total.
Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals
Why so hot? The improvement expectations also are important for this other former Eagles coordinator. The defensive-minded Gannon did see the Arizona Cardinals go from 4-13 to 8-9, but there are questions on whether they can make the next jump to be a playoff team in the tough NFC West vs. San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
How he can cool off: For Gannon to be secure, he might need to come through with a winning season at the least. The Cardinals have the offense and defense pices to get into the playoffs, but now it's about the pieces coming together under Gannon and his staff. Kyler Murray's playing at a higher level needs to be a big part of that equation.
Matt LaFleur, Packers
Why so hot? The Green Bay Packers are looking at one more year on LaFleur's contract through 2026, but new team president Ed Policy has held off on another extension for his coach and GM Brian Gutekunst. Through six regular seasons and 100 games, LaFleur has posted a stellar 67-33 record. But he is only 3-5 in the playoffs and the Packers haven't reached the NFC title game since 2020. LaFleur is under pressure for Green Bay to get back to the top of the NFC North for the first time since '21.
How he can cool off: With Gutekunst swinging for the fences in pulling off the trade for former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, the expectations were further raised for this season. Despite how good the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are and how much better the Bears can be, the Packers will have no excuses to break through to take back first place. Their key will be at QB, too, where it is critical Jordan Love shakes off a shaky 2024 under LaFleur's offensive-minded watch.