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Projecting which NFL coaches on hot seat will be fired: What are Kyle Shanahan, Shane Steichen's fates? - CBSSports.com
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...are-kyle-shanahan-shane-steichens-fates/

The NFL coaching carousel is set to be in full swing with the end of the regular season this weekend. This year's version of "Black Monday" could see the most head coaching openings in years, with three head coaching vacancies already occurring.

The New York Jets fired Robert Saleh in October, the New Orleans Saints let go of Dennis Allen in November, while the Chicago Bears parted ways with Matt Eberflus after Thanksgiving. Those three organizations got a head start on searching for their next head coach, but plenty of other teams could be joining them at the conclusion of this weekend.

These are the coaches that are currently on the hot seat heading into Week 18. Which ones will be fired and which ones will be retained for another season?

Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys)
Record with Cowboys: 49-34 (.590 win percentage)
Prediction: Contract not renewed
This feels like a situation if Dallas really wanted to renew McCarthy's contract, they would have renewed it by now. McCarthy's contract expires on January 14, before he's allowed to pursue any job he wants (and may be in the process of doing that once Week 18 ends).

McCarthy has just two losing seasons in five years coaching the Cowboys, but only a 1-3 playoff record to show for it. His time may be ending with the Cowboys, yet McCarthy would be an ideal candidate for a third job if a team wanted to hire him (career .610 win percentage, 174-111-2 record with a Super Bowl title).

Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts)
Record with Colts: 16-17 (.485 win percentage)
Prediction: Retained
The Colts are an absolute mess right now, and this goes above Steichen. From how the coaching staff and front office handled the benching of Anthony Richardson to how Steichen handles certain situations internally, the franchise just seems to have no sense of direction.

Steichen probably gets another season, but general manager Chris Ballard and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley may not be back. This season may be a lame duck year for Steichen unless the Colts transcend into a playoff team.

Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders)
Record with Raiders: 9-16 (.360 win percentage)
Prediction: Fired
Pierce may be a one-and-done head coach, but he wasn't exactly given the best hand to deal with. The Raiders traded Davante Adams by the trade deadline and Pierce went into the season with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell as his quarterbacks. There wasn't exactly a way to succeed with what the Raiders had on their roster.

With Tom Brady now in the ownership group, there is expected to be some changes in Las Vegas. This team needs a quarterback, but they also will look to hit the next stage of their rebuild with a more established head coach. This was essentially a "gap year" for the Raiders.

Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots)
Record with Patriots: 3-13 (.188 win percentage)
Prediction: Fired
Mayo may have been the successor to Bill Belichick, but the Patriots wasn't supposed to be worse than they were last season. New England seems to have a good quarterback in Drake Maye, yet there isn't much else on the offensive side of the ball and that goes to Mayo and his coaching hires). No player on the Patriots seemed to have developed either, and the downfall of the defense is also pinned to Mayo -- a defensive coach.

The Patriots have an opportunity to hit the reset button in the early stages of their rebuild. They have an chance to get a more proven head coach, learning from the Mayo experiment. Time to move on from the Bill Belichick era once and for all.

Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Record with Jaguars: 22-28 (.440 win percentage)
Prediction: Fired
This move felt like it could happen at any point during the Jaguars disastrous season, but appears Monday will be the day Jacksonville finally moves on from Pederson. Last season's collapse combined with a 4-12 record this season just isn't enough to justify keeping Pederson, even though he has a Super Bowl on his resume.

Pederson is 5-17 in his last 22 games. He may be the first firing announcement on Monday.

Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
Record with Browns: 40-43 (.482 win percentage)
Prediction: Fired
This isn't the fault of Stefanski at all, as the Browns have been a colossal mess since giving Deshaun Watson $230 million guaranteed three years ago. Stefanski still took the Browns to the playoffs despite starting four different quarterbacks last season, and the team was better without Watson on the field.

Taking the Browns to the playoffs on two different occasions -- and winning a playoff game -- isn't easy. What Stefanski has done in Cleveland is impressive, but his tenure with the Browns seems to have run its course. Stefanski could be hired within days.

Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals)
Record with Bengals: 45-52-1 (.464 win percentage)
Prediction: To be determined
The Bengals are still in the playoff race, so it's unsure what direction the franchise will go with Taylor. The slow starts every seaosn are enough to justify Taylor being let go, especially with all the talent Cincinnati has at its disposal. A loss by the Bengals or a win by the Broncos or Dolphins eliminates Cincinnati.

If Taylor is fired, the Bengals would be the top job on the market with Joe Burrow at quarterback. The front office needs to improve on retaining their players, but there's a huge opportunity to win a championship with Burrow around.

Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Record with Giants: 18-31-1 (.370 win percentage)
Prediction: Fired
Since the Giants surprising playoff appearance in Daboll's first season, the organization continues to be a disaster. The Giants have been one of the worst teams in football (if not the worst), going 9-24 in the two seasons since. They gave Daniel Jones $160 million and decided to part ways with Saquon Barkley -- only to see him rush for 2,000 yards in his first season with the Eagles.

The front office is a mess with Joe Schoen, who also is likely to be let go -- along with Daboll. The Giants are set to hit the reset button once again.

Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers)
Record with 49ers: 70-61 (.534 win percentage)
Prediction: Retained
Shanahan being on the hot seat is a little ridiculous, but his tenure with the 49ers may have run its course. The 49ers have made two Super Bowls and reached the NFC Championship game four times under Shanahan -- who has an 8-4 playoff record. There's been a lot of winning in San Francisco since he's arrived.

How the 49ers handle seasons after Super Bowl losses could be pinned on Shanahan, who at times looked as if he wanted a new challenge. There will be changes in San Francisco, but with the roster as a Brock Purdy extension nears.

If Shanahan leaves, it's because he wants to.

The person that needs fired is the one that thought it was a good idea to trade Baker for Watson... Who ever the hell came up with that should be gone gone gone.

If Stefanski, then so be it.

KS can win with a good QB that fits his system. We saw it with JF and even JW moved this O as well if not better than anyone. Obviously, all the turnovers are not acceptable. I think firing KS would be a mistake.

McCarthy, Pederson, Daboll, and Pierce are the ones I think are most realistic on this list.

So, the question you have to ask yourself is: Will it be more damaging to the franchise to "FIRE" Berry and Stefanski now or midseason when they start bad again? 5-years with a losing record doesn't give one much hope that this can be turned around by the current group. 5-years in and still don't have a franchise QB, no #1 WR, #1 RB, and a good possibility of having the worst record in the NFL in 2024 with the 2nd most money spent. Yea, the Browns are on the right track.

Steve I would give KS and AB another year to get things on the right track. If we're in the same boat a year from now I would consider a change. Give Ks some input on whom he'd like for a starting QB from what's available. If we decide to draft a QB then tell AB he needs to get it right this time and get some help outside the organization to do it whomever that may be. They're being paid well to make these decisions so put it on them to make the right ones. Make them accountable. I don't believe cleaning house is the prudent move at this time. I do feel a couple of position coaches may need to be replaced though ST, OL, maybe even OC come to mind. An upgrade there might be needed.

j/c If Daboll is released by the Giants, would you guys want to see him here as OC to replace Dorsey?

I'll put it stronger than that: all offensive coaches must be replaced by new, competent faces....

Didn’t Berry need to get it right the last time?

Well… accountability and competence isn’t exactly something the Browns leadership care about so why expect them to change anything this year.

That sounds great if you have decided to ignore last season and 2020. The "group" wasn't responsible for the players accumulated by the Browns. AB is. AB is the man who is responsible for getting a franchise QB. But somehow these facts seem to be escaping you.

There was no last time for AB drafting a QB. The only QB he ever drafted was DTR. How much he had to do with DW is a matter of speculation.

How many years is the new regime given to undo what you have declared a dysfunctional front office and coaching staff? One?

If it is as dysfunctional as you've stated, what experienced GM will take the position? Given that there is nothing salvageable, what experienced head coach will want the new coaching job?

So, repeating the same process Browns owners have done since 1999 will work this time?

I'd add Mayo as well. A lot of pressure on Kraft to move on from him from the fan base so Mayo does not ruin Drake Maye. This is where I think Vrabel ends up.

The one name I disagree with is McCarthy. I think he is as safe as anyone. Jerry Jones is about the Jerry Jones show and winning takes a back seat to Jerry. McCarthy is perfect HC for the role and does not mind letting Jerry beat him up a little publicly. He's a good soldier. It's the same reason Jason Garrett stuck around so long.

I understand what you're saying about Jones but I would like to add another take to that. He is his own general manager. He makes the draft picks and signs the players. IMO a big part of the Jerry Jones Show is that he believes he has built a good team. At some point a losing team has to be blamed on someone. I don't see Jerry taking the fall for that. The most logical person to place the blame on is McCarthy. He will end up being the fall guy. I don't know if that happens at the end of this season but it seems quite possible.

Jerry doesn't care about the record. He loves the drama and attention it brings when he does his daily radio and media hits. Jerry is all about show business first and foremost.

I will be extremely surprised if McCarthy is fired.

Since Browns fans love to change course every few years and the teams is stuck with Watson for 2 more years then hire Bill O'Brien and see if he can find the magic in Watson he had when he coached him in Houston.

Browns32, replacing the coordinator here is a waste of time. We have perhaps the worst qb room in the league. Whoever built that room should be looking for another jo

If Ski gets fired, he’ll be the first retread snapped up.

By whom, in this hypothetical? The dreadful Saints? The completely inept Jets run by the owner's teenage kids playing Madden? The hapless Bears that prioritize friends of the McCaskey family over strong leadership?The listless Jaguars?

Your claim is not exactly a ringing endorsement; rather an indictment on the low bar set by franchises synonymous with losing and now striving for mediocrity.

How many years do you believe it will take? The Browns were considered playoff contenders the last 3-years, had the highest cash spend over that period of time, and you can't blame that on just Watson. If the players are as good as their pay would indicate, why wouldn't someone want to GM and or coach a ready built team? I mean think about it, the Browns are paying WR1 money to Jeudy, franchise money for a QB in Watson, top 5 money for Garrett and Ward, exercised the 5th year option on their first-round pick LT, possess one of the highest paid OL's in the NFL, and top 5 money for a TE. Wait, the team isn't ready to be competitive? Then why in the world would anyone want to keep a HC and GM that is sporting a 5-year losing record with all these assets? I've watched these two squander what was left to them in 2020 and with an open wallet.

First, they unloaded their franchise QB. Supposedly for his attitude and inability to win a Super Bowl.
Just a thought, how many Super Bowls has Jackson or Watson been too? How about Allen, Carr, Love, Cousins, or Herbert? Hmmm, aren't they considered franchise QB's? Some here believe so, especially the Cousins talk, yet he's never made it to a Super Bowl. Why in the world would we want a QB who cannot get us to the Super Bowl? That seems to be the theme of Stefanski and Berry for getting the Browns QB job! What has Berry or Stefanski done over the last 5-years that makes anyone think the Browns will be Super Bowl contenders in 2025?

By the way, Mayfield has thrown 39TD's so far this year with a 107.6 rating. If you add up all the Browns QB's that played this year you have 19TD's for the season. LOL, and Baker was the problem according to Berry and Stefanski? Even if you go back to 2023 when the Browns made the playoffs, they had 24 TD passes as a group compared to Mayfield who had 28 TD passes and a 94.6 rating and yep, a two-game playoff run.

This guy seriously put Kyle Shanahan on the list?

Any coach hungry team who wants an experienced HC with two COTY awards in 5 years. Somebody would have jumped on that before he cleared the Browns parking lot. Just keeping it real. Ski ain’t Hue.

You don’t fire him after this DW bs. Just like you don’t trade a boat load of picks for a rapist while sending the franchise QB you played all year with and injured wing to the scrap heap when he set rookie records, and showed so much potential to GET THERE. And if you don’t know where THERE is, you’re not even a true fan.

If you ask me, Haslam and company just got their FAFO moment. I hope like hell learned from it.

They haven’t learned from countless problems they’ve already committed. I hold no hope for them or their stupid son-in-law.

Mayo out in NE.

Vrabel to NE is a logical fit.

You have a point. I think he interviewed with the Jets, but I don't think they married yet.

Fun fact... Stefanski is now the 10th most tenured active HC in the NFL. If McCarthy doesn't get his contract extended, Stefanski would be the 9th.

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
18 years | 2007-Present
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
17 years | 2008-Present
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
12 years | 2013-Present
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
8 years | 2017-Present
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
8 years | 2017-Present
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
8 years | 2017-Present
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
6 years | 2019-Present
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
6 years | 2019-Present
Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
5 years | 2020-Present
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
5 years | 2020-Present

I'm not sure if that is funny or sad.

This one seemed like a no brainer. Mayo probably knew it was coming, too. He pulled a Lovie Smith and got the win to shake up their draft slot.

I had that thought as well.

I would retain KS, allow him to select his own OC and QB, and then tell him he has 2 years to develop his offense

JMO

Stefanski so far .....

11-5
8-9
7-10
11-6
3-14


So, if the trends hold, this coming year should suck, but maybe we'll have a winner the year after. I'm not counting on it. Stefanski fooled me last year, but this year proved to be just what I though he was all along.

I agree that he should be permitted to hire his own OC (it's odd even having to state that). I would not let him select the QB. I would acquire the QB that is best capable of running his offense. Though it is concerning he's limited to a single style of offense. Could he get the most out of an Allen or Mahomes or is he too limited? I digress.

Stefanski banging the drum for David Bell gives me great pause regarding his ability to scout and project future talent. I'm reminded of this...

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski felt compelled to remind Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta something important during the NFL Draft.

The message had this vibe: David Bell no matter what.

DePodesta revealed on the team's radio network on draft weekend that Stefanski had texted him midway through the second round about a desire to select Bell in the third round at No. 99 overall.

When Bell arrived at team headquarters in Berea the day after he had been drafted, Stefanski told him he had also urged General Manager Andrew Berry to secure Bell.

"You were the first guy I watched, and right away, I was like, 'We need to get this guy,'" Stefanski told Bell in a meeting shown on "Building The Browns," the team's TV and web series. "You can ask our GM. I was like, 'This day needs to end with David Bell on our team.' Just your ability to catch the ball, which I think is the best in the draft, your ability to get open and just who you are as a person, that fits who we are."

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story...ki-nfl-draft-rookie-minicamp/9706339002/

Far too often, this team has let others' influence the FO's process in draft selection since the return. This certainly rings true from ownership, but we've had Mangini, Coach Bootyskins, Pettine, etc. weigh in way more than should have, IMO. Perhaps Bell is the example here, but we've seen it with Manziel, Justin Gilbert, Kessler, possibly Watson just to name a few examples. Agreed, KS needs to have full autonomy to hire the coaches he wants without negative interference so the same mindset should apply both ways.

I do think Stefanski is a very good coach but I share your concern re: his apparent lack of flexibility in the offense.

Somebody (maybe on here) mentioned Klint Kubiak being available.

I think that would be a wonderful hire, and I think, if anyone, a Kubiak would be someone that KS has call plays.

Three Potential OC Fits For The Cleveland Browns After Ken Dorsey Firing

Klint Kubiak (Offensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints)
It may seem unlikely that the Browns could poach a current offensive coordinator, but Klint Kubiak could be the exception.The Saints parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen earlier this season after going 2-7 through the team's first nine games. With the head coaching spot up for grabs in New Orleans, Kubiak's future with the organization is up in the air. Luckily for Kubiak, he has an extensive background with Stefanski, as they were both on the Minnesota Vikings' coaching staff back in 2019 and 2020. As the son of former Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, the combination of Klint's connection with Stefanski and background makes him a viable option for the Browns. If Kubiak stays with the Saints for the 2025 season, the Browns could also go after his brother, Klay Kubiak. While his resume is not as strong as his brother's, Klay has experience in a west coast-style offense. He is currently the San Francisco 49ers' offensive passing game specialist under Kyle Shanahan, whose play style is similar to Stefanski's.

Josh McCown (Quarterbacks Coach, Minnesota Vikings)
Despite his infamous time in Cleveland, former Browns' quarterback Josh McCown could be an intriguing option.
As the current quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings, McCown played a huge part in the revival Sam Darnold's career this season. The 45-year-old coach has tons of experience after playing in the NFL for 18 season. However, it might be tough to pry McCown away from Minnesota, as he recently told ESPN that he loves the Vikings organization. While McCown is enjoying his time with Minnesota, the opportunity to become an offensive coordinator could sway him away from his current role. The longtime NFL veteran also has experience with rookie quarterbacks, as he was the quarterbacks coach with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 with Bryce Young. This could be important if the Browns end up taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Marcus Brady (Passing Game Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers)
Brady may not have any connections to Stefanski, but his work with Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert this season makes him a must-watch for the Browns' offensive coordinator role. After a short stint as the Indianapolis Colts' OC in 2021-22, Brady was the senior offensive consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 during the team's Super Bowl run. This year, he helped unlock Hebert and the Chargers' passing game, as the 26-year-old gunslinger has thrown for 3,524 yards while maintaining a 21-to-3 touchdown/interception ratio.

https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/brown...leveland-browns-after-ken-dorsey-firing-

McCown had future-coach written all over him as far back as when he was a backup here.

The Jags should be a decent landing spot for a HC - same with the Patriots