Black Monday predictions: Chuck Pagano is in trouble
The NFL’s annual bloodletting is about to commence. Thus, it will not be a happy new year for many head coaches on Monday as they learn their fates after the 2017 season ends.
The New York Giants got a head start on the head-chopping exercise by firing Ben McAdoo a few weeks ago. That could wind being the first of a large number of coaching changes. Let’s take a look at what coaches may be in trouble.
Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals
Why he is on hot seat: The speculation about Arians is different. Given the injuries this team sustained, specifically to star running back David Johnson, Arizona's subpar season isn't the reason Arians's name has come up. No, the talk is he may retire due to health reasons.
Should he go? He’s well-liked, and he does a good job. If he wants more, he should get more.
Prediction: I bet he retires — just a guess, though.
John Fox, Chicago Bears
Why he is on hot seat: The Bears are 14-33 under Fox.
Should he go? Yes. This isn’t going to be a situation where he brings the Bears to the Super Bowl like he did in Carolina and Denver. The Bears need some new blood. They would benefit from hiring an offensive coach to work with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. He could make Jared Goff-like strides in the right situation.
Prediction: Fired.
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
Why he is on hot seat: The Bengals have won just 12 games combined the past two seasons.
Should he go? Yes. Lewis has gotten stale in Cincy. He’s been there 15 seasons, and while he’s had some nice seasons, the Bengals have never won a playoff game under him. They need a restart.
Prediction: Fired
Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns
Why he is on hot seat: The Browns are 0-15 and have won just one game under Jackson in two seasons.
Should he go? Yes. 1-30 is awful, even for Cleveland, and if the Browns go 0-16, they will need to start over.
Prediction: Ownership says he is staying. I believe it.
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos
Why he is on hot seat: The Broncos are 5-10 after starting 3-0. They have lost by more than 20 points five times and often look outcoached.
Should he go? This is a tough one. It’s been just one year, but it hasn’t been great. Still, let’s see Denver get a new quarterback. I say give Joseph and his staff one more year, but John Elway has shown he is not a patient general manager.
Prediction: He stays, but this is not a confident pick.
Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions
Why he is on hot seat: Some people think the Lions should be better than 8-7.
Should he go? No. He has been to the playoffs twice in the previous three seasons, and he is 35-28 as the Lions' coach. There will be a lot of competition for head coaches in January. There is no guarantee the Lions will find an upgrade.
Prediction: Fired. I believe the smoke even though I don’t agree with it.
Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans
Why he is on hot seat: The Texans have won just four games.
Should he go? No. The Texans have been ravaged by injuries, including to star rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson. O’Brien has had success in Houston before, and his young quarterback wants him around.
Prediction: He stays.
Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
Why he is on hot seat: The Colts are 3-12 and haven’t been to playoffs since 2014.
Should he go? Yes, it’s time. Sure, Andrew Luck has missed the entire season so it hasn’t been easy, but Pagano is 19-28 over the past three seasons. It’s time for a change.
Prediction: Fired.
Todd Bowles, New York Jets
Why he is on hot seat: The Jets are 5-10.
Should he go? No, absolutely not. The Jets have the worst roster in the NFL. They competed under Bowles as recently as two years ago. He deserves more time with a better roster.
Prediction: He stays.
Jack Del Rio, Oakland Raiders
Why he is on hot seat: The Raiders are 6-9 and the NFL’s biggest disappointment this season after going 12-4 in 2016.
Should he go? I see why some people think he should, but I think Del Rio should get one more year. It’s been a bad season, but he just signed a four-year contract that makes him getting fired unlikely. If next year is a mess, he should and likely will go.
Prediction: He stays.
Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why he is on hot seat: The Buccaneers are 4-11 and not far from Oakland on the disappointment meter.
Should he go? Yes. This team is very undisciplined, and it has regressed. Quarterback Jameis Winston needs to be fixed and fixed quickly.
Prediction: Fired.
Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans
Why he is on hot seat: The Titans have lost their past three games to fall on the brink of missing the playoffs.
Should he go? Yes. The team is underachieving, including young quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Titans would be very attractive — Josh McDaniels anyone? They need an upgrade at head coach to develop this roster.
Prediction: Fired.
Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins
Why he is on hot seat: The Redskins have been flat this season, sitting at 7-8. They've regressed in consecutive seasons after winning the NFC East in 2015.
Should he go? No. The Redskins should find a way to keep Kirk Cousins and give Gruden more time. Like Caldwell, I just don’t see the Redskins finding a sure upgrade.
Prediction: Fired.
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