Five NFL coaches who need big years in 2026

Not every coach entering 2026 is truly on the hot seat.

Some have already built enough equity with their organizations to survive another disappointing season. Others are still early in their tenures. But for others, 2026 needs to be about meaningful progress.

That doesn't necessarily mean winning a Super Bowl or even making the playoffs. For some, it means getting a talented roster moving in the right direction. For others, another disappointing season could finally force their teams to move on.

Here are five coaches who need big or bounce-back seasons in 2026.

1. Zac Taylor

Taylor has more job security than most coaches on this list because of his previous success, including a Super Bowl appearance and multiple AFC Championship Game appearances.

But the Bengals haven't returned to that level, and expectations remain enormous with Joe Burrow and a talented roster. Cincinnati has invested heavily in its core. Another season without a playoff appearance would raise serious questions about whether Taylor is still the right coach.

Taylor doesn't necessarily need to win the Super Bowl, but he does need to get the Bengals back into the AFC's upper tier.

2. Dan Quinn

Quinn's first season in Washington couldn't have gone much better. The Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game behind an outstanding rookie season from Jayden Daniels.

Then everything changed.

Washington regressed in 2025, while Daniels missed significant time with injuries. The defense also struggled, finishing near the bottom of the league in both yards and points allowed.

Now Quinn needs to show that 2024 wasn't simply lightning in a bottle. Getting Daniels healthy and developing him should be the priority, but Washington also needs to look like a legitimate playoff team again.

3. Aaron Glenn

Glenn is the closest thing to a traditional hot-seat candidate on this list.

The Jets went 3-14 in Glenn's first season and finished with the league's worst point differential. That kind of performance leaves little room for another step backward.

Still, this isn't simply about Glenn winning a certain number of games.

The Jets need to look fundamentally different. The offense needs to function, young players need to develop and Glenn's defense needs to show significant improvement. If New York remains one of the NFL's worst teams, it will be difficult to argue that the organization is moving forward.

4. Dan Campbell

Campbell is the most surprising name on this list.

He helped turn Detroit from one of the NFL's worst franchises into a legitimate contender, winning consecutive NFC North titles before the Lions fell to 9-8 and missed the playoffs in 2025.

That doesn't erase the equity Campbell built, but it does make 2026 important.

Detroit still has one of the league's most talented rosters, and expectations remain high. A return to the playoffs would go a long way toward proving last season was an aberration. A second straight season outside the postseason, however, would force difficult questions about whether the Lions' window is closing.

5. Todd Bowles

Bowles has already proven he can win in Tampa Bay, leading the Buccaneers to three consecutive NFC South titles.

But the team's 2025 season ended that streak, and the defense regressed despite significant investment. Tampa Bay also has only one playoff victory during Bowles' tenure.

They need to get back into the playoff picture and show that the previous four seasons weren't the ceiling for this roster.