The NFL coaching carousel continues to spin rapidly, with ten teams replacing head coaches during the most recent hiring cycle—tying the record for a single offseason. Since 2020, the league has averaged more than six coaching changes per year, reflecting an industry where owners demand immediate playoff success and show little patience when losses mount.
Five coaches entering the 2026 season appear particularly vulnerable. Washington’s Dan Quinn saw his defense finish last in yards allowed after a disappointing 5-12 campaign following his impressive debut season. Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles watched an 8-2 start collapse into 8-9, ending the team’s four-year division title streak. Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor has missed the playoffs for three consecutive years despite leading the team during Joe Burrow’s career-best season last year. New York’s Aaron Glenn endured the worst inaugural season in Jets history at 3-14. Indianapolis’s Shane Steichen sits at 25-26 with no playoff appearances and faces a brutal early schedule that stretches 12 games before the bye week.
Of these candidates, Steichen appears most at risk of becoming the league’s first coaching casualty. The Colts organization has already emphasized the urgency of delivering results, and the team’s demanding early schedule—opening against Baltimore before traveling to Kansas City and Houston—could quickly put Steichen’s job in jeopardy if Indianapolis stumbles out of the gate.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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