The NFL regular season is approaching its halfway point, and for some head coaches, the pressure to turn things around is becoming impossible to ignore. With playoff hopes fading for several teams, questions about leadership, accountability and the direction of struggling franchises are beginning to take center stage.
The NFL’s coaching carousel is always one of the league’s biggest storylines, but the decisions made over the next several weeks could determine which coaches survive and which organizations
decide it’s time for a change. Some coaches may still have enough time to salvage their seasons, while others are running out of opportunities to prove they’re the right person for the job.
In this edition of “Safe or Fire,” we’ll evaluate coaches across the league whose seats are heating up, examining whether they deserve another opportunity or if their respective teams should begin looking elsewhere.
Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers are 0-7 and Harbaugh is 0-10 in his last 10 games. It’s been tough to watch this year especially as Los Angeles had playoff expectations (and favorable preseason Super Bowl odds). Herbert looks lost for a coach known for being a quarterback whisperer.
Verdict: Fired
Aaron Glenn
The Jets are 5-20 under Aaron Glenn. It’s almost a guarantee that a new head coach will be hired in 2027 with the team having three first round picks and likely to spend one on a new quarterback. Aaron Glenn also has seen him teams outscored significantly with under 2 minutes left in the first half. Stuff like that shows you are outcoached weekly.
Verdict: Fired
Demeco Ryans
There is no reason that the Houston Texans shouldn’t be succeeding this year. The Texans did not really lose anything on defense yet the Texans are 2-5 despite averaging 23.5 points per game (15th in NFL). It’s not the offense this time, it’s the defense.
Verdict: Safe
Shane Steichen
The Colts getting blown out in Week 8 to the Jaguars will probably be the final nail in the coffin for Steichen’s tenure in Indianapolis. Chris Ballard was already fired mid-season. Steichen will probably finish the year but then he is gone.
Verdict: Fired
Robert Saleh
The Titans are 1-7 in their first year with Saleh. They decided to trade away Jeffery Simmons because management likely sees this as a rebuild year and way to give Cam Ward a supporting cast.
I think Saleh will get another year in 2027 since the team is focused on adding picks rather than winning now.
Verdict: Safe
Dan Quinn
Washington had a fortunate run to the NFC Championship in 2024. But since then, Quinn’s Commanders are 7-16-1. Jayden Daniels needs an offensive minded coach to get his career on track. The disastrous ending against the New York Giants in Week 5 sums up Quinn’s last 24+ games.
Verdict: Fired
Nick Sirianni
Here’s the story on Sirianni. When the offensive coordinator is the scapegoat in 2025, there is no one else to blame now for the offensive woes. It falls squarely on Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts.
Sirianni relied on a young and cheap roster in his first few seasons. But now players are getting paid and the team can’t hide Hurts’s limitations.
Verdict: Fired
Todd Bowles
Bowles is 38-38 in four plus seasons with the Buccaneers. With the NFC South being so weak, going .500 is pretty disappointing.
Verdict: Fired
Brian Schottenheimer
Dallas has Texas sized expectations. With Brian Schottenheimer failing to address its defensive woes in two straight seasons, you wonder how patient Jerry Jones will be? The bad collapses in Week 3 and Week 8 are concerning along with a dud to a Bucs team without Baker Mayfield in Week 5.
Verdict: Fired
