The 2019 NFL season is still months away from beginning. Yet these five coaches could already be on the hot seat heading into the year.
- Jason Garrett – Dallas Cowboys
Believe it or not, Jason Garrett is now the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the NFL after he took over in Dallas midway through the 2010 season. But the Cowboys have yet to extend Garrett’s contract past 2019, making him a bit of a lame duck head coach heading into this season. The last three “do-or-die” seasons for Garrett in Dallas (2014, 2016, 2018) have produced three double-digit win seasons and three NFC East titles. But making Garrett’s seat the hottest in the league is the fact that a playoff appearance may simply not be enough to keep his job safe. The Cowboys believe that they have a team capable of winning a Super Bowl in 2019, and if they fall short of that lofty goal this season, it may mean the end of Garrett’s tenure in Dallas.
- Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown has been shipped off to Oakland after a drama-filled offseason. Le’Veon Bell has signed with the Jets after skipping the entirety of the 2018 season. The drama should be gone in Pittsburgh once and for all. Now, the “new-look” Steelers, still led by Ben Roethlisberger, will attempt to return to the postseason after a disappointing 2018. But with no more drama and distractions to fall back on, there are no more excuses for Mike Tomlin. A second straight letdown season could lead to changes at the top in Pittsburgh, as Big Ben isn’t getting any younger on his quest to win a third Super Bowl.
- Doug Marrone – Jacksonville Jaguars
Some were surprised with the Jaguars’ decision to stick with Marrone after he led Jacksonville to arguably the league’s most disappointing season in 2018. But instead Blake Bortles has left town, replaced by Super Bowl hero Nick Foles. Now that Marrone has his quarterback, it’s time to start showing results. The news of defensive leader Telvin Smith stepping away from football this season is a major blow, but much of the Jacksonville defensive core still remains intact. Another last-place finish in the competitive AFC South could spell disaster for Marrone in Jacksonville.
- Ron Rivera – Carolina Panthers
Rivera is entering his ninth season at the helm in Carolina. After three straight postseason appearances from 2013 to 2015, he’s posted win-loss records of 6-10, 11-5, and 7-9 since, with no playoff wins. Cam Newton’s health will obviously be the number one factor for the Panthers’ 2019 season, but the veteran quarterback says he feels “great” after offseason shoulder surgery. If Newton is indeed his usual, dynamic playmaker self, there’s no reason that Carolina shouldn’t have the talent to return to the playoffs. But a failure to do so this season may lead to changes at the top for the Panthers.
- Jay Gruden – Washington Redskins
The Redskins drafted Dwayne Haskins with their first pick in the NFL Draft last month. With a rookie quarterback expected to develop in a rebuilding year, one would think that buys Gruden at least one more season in Washington. However, the NFL is a copycat league, and some recent trends may suggest Gruden’s seat is hotter than ever. In the past four years alone, the Rams, Bears, Jets and Cardinals have all fired head coaches just one season after drafting quarterbacks with their first-round picks. Could Gruden be the latest to follow this trend for a fourth straight offseason?
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