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With big-name free agents signed and the NFL Draft in the rearview, it's time to start turning our attention to the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
This offseason was a banner year for NFL head coaching hires, as the market was flooded with both openings and strong, intriguing candidates. With the dust finally settled, eight NFL teams will head into the 2024 campaign with new head coaches at the helm.
While the axe fell on many coaches following 2023, a handful of borderline cases were able to hang on to their coveted positions. We'll discuss five current NFL head coaches who enter 2024 already on the proverbial hot seat and are likely facing make-or-break seasons this year.
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Mike McCarthy - Dallas Cowboys
Record With Team: 42-25 (12-5 in 2023)
If you simply looked at Mike McCarthy's record during his time in Dallas, there would appear to be no way that his seat would be the least bit warm entering the 2024 season. His 62.7% winning percentage during the regular season is the highest of any head coach in Cowboys history and Dallas has won 12 games in each of his last three seasons at the helm.
People were NOT happy about Mike McCarthy staying with the Dallas Cowboys #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XhPVhdtY2f
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 18, 2024
However, it's all about Super Bowls in Big D and McCarthy has failed miserably to get the 'Boys out of their long-standing postseason funk. His Cowboys teams became the first to win 12 games in three straight seasons and fail to make the Conference Championship game in any of them. McCarthy's playoff record with Dallas is an abysmal 1-3 and many were surprised he was able to hold on to his job after a stunning upset loss at home to the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 Playoffs. Perhaps no matter how well the upcoming regular season goes for the Cowboys, he won't be able to survive another postseason disappointment in the coming year.
Robert Saleh - New York Jets
Record With Team: 18-33 (7-10 in 2023)
With Aaron Rodgers lost for the entire season just four plays into last year's opener, Robert Saleh earns a pass for New York's disappointing 2023 campaign. Though Saleh and Gang Green were inarguably dealt a crummy hand, last season's 7-10 effort - accomplished with virtually no output at the QB position - marked his third straight losing season in the Big Apple.
.@bilalpowell29 says Joe Douglas has put all the pressure on Robert Saleh. @BleavNetwork #Jets
Listen to the full episode, and subscribe so you never miss an episode! https://t.co/49ExzBkY0m pic.twitter.com/WFZgSxQBcu— Rami Lavi (@rami_lavi) May 27, 2024
Saleh's defense is his calling card and the Jets were largely impressive on that side of the ball in 2023. However, he'll need to show that he's capable of taking advantage of the offensive weapons the New York front office has been assembling in recent years, as a returning Rodgers will be surrounded by Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Mike Williams among others. With a 40-year-old quarterback, the Jets are undoubtedly in "win now" mode. If Saleh can't secure a playoff berth in 2024, it could be his last season in New York.
Matt Eberflus - Chicago Bears
Record With Team: 10-24 (7-10 in 2023)
To call Matt Eberflus' two-year tenure in Chicago disappointing would be an understatement. After going just 3-14 in his first season with the Bears, Eberflus appeared to have one foot out the door after a 1-5 start to the 2024 campaign.
The Aura of Matt Eberflus before and after Justin Fields has changed a lot 👀
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) May 17, 2024
Surprisingly, the Bears battled back last season. The squad showed some grit in competitive games before finishing the year at 7-10 and saving Eberflus' job in the process. With a reloaded offense that features No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, top-10 pick Rome Odunze, as well as offseason acquisitions Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift, the pressure is suddenly ratcheted up for Eberflus to win immediately with the best crop of offensive talent that the Bears have fielded in decades and Williams on a rookie contract.
Nick Sirianni - Philadelphia Eagles
Record With Team: 34-17 (11-6 in 2023)
While Philly's 11-6 record last season doesn't look horrible on paper, there appeared to be some seriously concerning issues in the City of Brotherly Love in 2023. Following a magical run to the Super Bowl in Sirianni's second season at the helm, the Eagles picked up right where they left off and stormed out to a 10-1 start last year. Unfortunately for Sirianni and company, Philly proceeded to completely collapse down the stretch. They finished 2024 by losing five of their last six regular season games before suffering an early Playoff exit at the hands of the Tampa Bay Bucs.
This Is Football: What the hell is going on with the NFC East?
An incredible segment with @ZBerm where I ask: Why did Nick Sirianni keep his job and what happens next? Terrific insight all segment. pic.twitter.com/mbCB1QLRb2
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) May 30, 2024
After their 2022 Super Bowl run, the Eagles lost both of their coordinators - Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon - to the head coaching ranks and it's fair to wonder if they were the forces behind Philly's success in the 2022 campaign. With a team that's built to win now and includes recently signed mega-deals for offensive stars Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, as well as the addition of running back Saquon Barkley in free agency, Sirianni will be on a very short leash in 2024.
Sean McDermott - Buffalo Bills
Record With Team: 74-41 (11-6 in 2023)
We'll close out our list with perhaps the most surprising name that could be feeling the heat in 2024, Buffalo's head man, Sean McDermott. Though McDermott has unquestionably performed brilliantly since joining the Bills in 2017, Bill Belichick's unceremonious departure from New England at the close of last season is a good reminder that no one is safe in today's NFL.
While Buffalo has won 10 or more games in five consecutive years with McDermott in charge, his squad closed the 2023 regular season on a five-game win streak to finish at 11-6 and salvage a year in which the Bills never appeared to be hitting on all cylinders after being forced to fire offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey mid-way through the season. Buffalo once again failed to reach the AFC Title game by losing yet another playoff matchup to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Typical afternoon for Sean McDermott pic.twitter.com/1SUdquIS0x
— Clown Football (@ClownFootball_) April 13, 2024
It looks as though McDermott will face his biggest challenge in years in 2024, as the Bills moved on from star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, as well as several other notable players such as Gabe Davis, Tre'Davious White, and Jordan Poyer. Despite the drastic changes in personnel, a head coach with a quarterback of Josh Allen's caliber is expected to compete for Super Bowl titles on an annual basis. While Buffalo fans are often loyal to a fault, they could be growing restless with McDermott's failure to get the Bills over the postseason hump.
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