It’s that time of year…
To become a successful NFL coach may not be every child’s dream like it is to become successful player; but many former players have made successful careers as an NFL coach. With the game of football evolving nearly every play, some coaches are able to adapt to the change. Conversely, it might be time for some coaches to pass the torch to someone else within the organization.
Here are 3 coaches that need to be fired ASAP, and 5 that deserve one more year.
Deserve one more year: Sean McVay
After becoming the Rams’ head coach in 2017, McVay established a wave of changing NFL offenses. McVay’s offense has been ranked towards the half of the NFL in 2017, 2018, and 2021, but the defense has been inconsistent, performing towards the top of the league some years, and the bottom during others.
But McVay’s offensive coaching has been on decline, and following a Super Bowl victory in 2021, the Rams experienced a Super Bowl Hangover the following year. McVay has shown his ability to be an elite coach but deserves one more year to prove he can turn the Rams back into contenders.
Should be fired: Pete Carroll
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Pete Carroll has been the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks since 2010 and found success, leading the team to their first Super Bowl victory in 2013. Pete Carroll has always been a defensive minded coach, but the Seattle defense has been the bottom half of the NFL statistically since 2018.
Meanwhile the Seahawks offense has been less than impressive, and Pete Carroll has shown an inability to evolve with the rest of the game. Carroll has been stuck in his ways for the majority of his career, and it is time that Seattle finds a new head coach unable to adapt to the changing NFL offenses
Deserve one more year: Kevin Stefanski
Kevin Stefanski is the winningest head coach for the Cleveland Browns since Bill Belichick coached from 1991-1995. On a historically bad franchise, Stefanski has provided a glimmer of hope for the struggling Browns.
However questionable roster moves have called Stefanski’s coaching into question. Since he is the first coach in 20 years to lead the Browns to the playoffs, Stefanski deserves one more year to prove that the progress he is making isn’t a fluke, and he is indeed turning the Browns franchise around.
Should be fired: Mike Tomlin
The Tomlin-Roethlisberger relationship lasted from 2007-2021. Without Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Tomlin has posted a negative win-loss record, which is the complete opposite of what happened when Big Ben was under center. This ties back to the age-old debate of if the coach made the player, or the player made the coach.
Tomlin’s recent draft picks have been inconsistent, and his old-school style of offense has failed to evolve with the rest of the league. The Steelers franchise has clearly entered a rebuilding phase, and this team needs a breath of fresh air with a new head coach.
Deserve one more year: Dennis Allen
Dennis Allen was hired as the Saint’s head coach in February of 2022. Given his history as a head coach for different teams, it appears that the Saints are keeping one foot in the door and one foot out, despite signing him to a four-year coaching contract. However, Dennis Allen has been criticized for his roster moves. Given the fact that Allen has not yet coached two full seasons, fans need to let the man show what he can do before attempting to throw him to the wolves.
Should be fired: Bill Belichick
Okay, let’s be real. The Patriots are not firing Bill Belichick. Even if the team lost every game by 50 points, there is no way the team can get rid of the sleeveless wonder. Still, it is important to include him in this list. After Tom brady found success in Tampa Bay, the debate about whether Tom made Belichick or Belichick made Tom has finally been answered. But still, Belichick boasts an insane coaching resume, but since the Mac Jones experiment has started to fail, the team has been on a slow rebuild to get back to their winning ways. Is Belichick the guy for this job? It could be time for Coach Belichick and the Patriots to part ways with dignity before things get ugly for the franchise.
Deserve one more year: Jonathon Gannon
Critics are already calling for Johnathon Gannon’s head. Nobody should be surprised that the first-year head coach of arguably the worst team in the NFL is having struggles. Gannon didn’t exactly inherit a star-studded roster. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs didn’t even know all of his receivers’ names during his first start. Plus, the cardinals are in the NFC West which is widely regarded as one of the toughest divisions of the 21st century. Fans should give Gannon a full season to see what he can do before attacking a coach who was not set up to succeed.
Deserve one more year: Shane Steichen
Shane Steichen has entered his first year as an NFL head Coach for the Indianapolis Colts. His first ever draft class had some questionable selections including fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson who only played 24 games in his college career.
Now with Anthony Richardson out for the 2023 season, Steichen has found himself in a hole as a first-year head coach. Despite a rough start to his coaching career, Steichen deserves more time to show how he can adjust in the face of adversity.
