The biggest head coach hot seats in 2026
By Andy Davies
In 2025, NFL teams tied a record dated back to 1977 for the most head coach firings in a single season.
There were a total of nine firings of head coaches by NFL teams, a number that equalled those recorded in the 1977 and 2008.
With the 2026 NFL season less than two months away, the excitement is building as all 32 teams dream of winning it all.
Whilst in theory, every team has a chance to win the Super Bowl, but there are some teams that have a significantly better chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Temas will surprise, teams will disappoint and there is sure to be multiple head coach firings in the season.
Which NFL head coaches are likely to be fired? Here are four candidates who are on the hottest seats in 2026.
Aaron Glenn
The New York Jets hired former player Aaron Glenn as head coach in the last offseason, but his first year in charge did not go to plan.
The team won just three games as they ended the season with the second overall pick. They failed to record a single interception, were 29th against the run and only the Dallas Cowboys allowed more points. Their passing offense was last in the league and only three teams scored fewer total points.
Aaron Glenn (New York Jets)
The New York Jets hired former player Aaron Glenn as head coach in the last offseason, but his first year in charge did not go to plan.
The Jets won just three games as they ended the season with the second overall pick. They failed to record a single interception. They were 29th against the run and only the Dallas Cowboys allowed more points. Their passing offense was last in the league and only three teams scored fewer total points.
In a division where they have to play both Josh Allen and Drake Maye twice a year, the AFC East is going to be a tough prospect for the Jets in 20626. With games against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings as well, this is going to be a tough prospect for Glenn and the Jets.
In just his second seasons in the role, you would be forgiven for thinking that this would be a firing too quick into his tenure. However, head coaches have been fired for less.
Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts)
When the Indianapolis Colts beat the Atlanta Falcons in Germany last season to go 8-2, head coach Shane Steichen would never have been under consideration for a hot seat.
Steichen had gone into the 2025 season with some placing him on a hot seat. The team then started the campaign like a house on fire. Daniel Jones was looking like a player reborn. Jonathan Taylor was an MVP candidate. They traded their future to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner and nothing seemed to be getting in their way.
With the number one seed at their disposal at the time, the Colts were being predicted by some to make it all the way to Super Bowl LX. Instead, they did not win a game for the rest of the season.
Teams soon started to figure out that if you can stop Taylor, you stop the Colts. Jones started to regress before injury ruled him out for the season. They brought back 45-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers out of retirement but this this did not work.
Jones is returning from injury, but there is no guarantee that he will be back to any form of the opening six weeks of 2025. They will need to find a way to not purely rely on Taylor. Otherwise, it could be a difficult start to 2026 for Steichen and the Colts.
If they were to start 1-4, or only win six games all season, then Steichen would be a prime candidate to receive his marching orders.
Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
After struggling during his time as Jets head coach, Bowles has rebuilt his reputation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since being announced as Bruce Arians’ replacement in 2022, he guided the team to three straight NFC South division titles.
However, things appear to have gone stale at the franchise. 2025 saw a huge drop off from the team. They appeared to be on their way to another division title in 2025, starting 5-1 and then 6-2 going into their Week Nine bye week. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was an MVP frontrunner.
When they returned from their bye week, they won just twice in their final nine games, allowing the Carolina Panthers to sneak the division title. This is despite beating them in Week 18. If the Bucs continue this negative momentum and struggle the first few weeks of the season, the pressure is bound to build on Bowles.
An easier division might keep the Bucs afloat at the top of the NFC South, but there might be a similar situation to that of the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
Both teams had the roster but perhaps a new voice was needed to take the team to the next step. Another 8-9 season or early playoff exit may leave the Bucs front office feeling change is needed.
Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals)
Sticking with the theme of needing a fresh voice, the Cincinnati Bengals are one team that have that feel about them.
Zac Taylor was hired by the Bengals in 2019. He now stands as the fourth longest serving head coach in the NFL.
Taylor has taken the Bengals to a Super Bowl. They even reached the AFC Championship the following year. On the other hand, in seven seasons in charge, he has guided the Bengals to just two winning seasons. There is a feeling that he could have done more.
The injuries to quarterback Joe Burrow have been a factor, a representation of the front office’s negligence in building the offensive line. He has only completed three of his six seasons. He grew visibly frustrated towards the end of 2025.
Cincinnati have bolstered their defense this offseason, which could have a positive impact on the season. Another season with a 9-8 record or less, then the Burrow injury excuse may run thin.
Given the talent of Burrow and the weapons around him, Taylor cannot afford to have a fourth straight season without playoff football. He will feel a lot of pressure in what feels a last chance saloon in Ohio.
ANDY DAVIES
NFL ANALYST
ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER SIX YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS SUCH AS SUPER BOWL LIX AND LX, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, PATRICK MAHOMES, TRAVIS KELCE, DERRICK HENRY, SAQUON BARKLEY AND JALEN HURTS.