Hottest seat on each AFC team: Temperature soaring for two QBs

Starting quarterbacks have their every move on a playing field dissected, so it's no surprise signal-callers have two of the hottest seats in the AFC. Meanwhile, two veteran coaches — both from the same division — are also enduring a rising temperature for not meeting expectations.

Here is the hottest seat on each AFC team as determined by Yardbarker NFL writers: 

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Head coach Sean McDermott: He isn't completely at fault for Buffalo's struggles, but anytime a team enters a season with Super Bowl aspirations and misses the playoffs, as the Bills (6-6) are on track to do, it's disappointing. While it's unlikely McDermott will be fired, his 1-6 record in overtime  — the worst all-time among coaches with at least 81 games in their careers, per ESPN Stats & Info — might put his job status in question this offseason.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Kicker Jason Sanders: When the kicker is the one on the hot seat, it speaks volumes about how successful a season has been. Sanders's inconsistency, however, could undermine Miami's chances of winning the Super Bowl. Sanders, who holds the fifth-worst field-goal percentage since 2021 (77.9%), ranks 27th in that category this season (78.6%), making him difficult to trust come playoff time.

NEW YORK JETS | General manager Joe Douglas: QB Aaron Rodgers's Achilles injury was beyond Douglas's control, but his decision to sign several of the four-time MVP's close friends and not bring in a serviceable backup QB ultimately wasted another season for New York. Of course, all of this could've been avoided had Douglas not blown the second overall pick in 2021 on QB Zach Wilson.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Head coach Bill Belichick: New England (2-9) is off to its worst start since Belichick was hired in 2000, and the 71-year-old's poor roster construction is largely to blame. The Patriots are 27-34 since QB Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay, and many are speculating that their lack of success may spell the end of Belichick's historic tenure, which includes six Super Bowl wins. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback Russell Wilson: His play has improved this season, but the 35-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $242.58M contract. He must lead the team on an improbable playoff push to prove he’s not overpaid and still a franchise QB. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Wide receiver Skyy Moore:  Before the season, general manager Brett Veach told the Kansas City Star he expected a “big jump” from the second-year wideout, but that hasn’t happened. Moore only has 20 receptions for 239 yards and one TD catch. Rookie WR Rashee Rice (44 receptions for 527 yards and five TDs) clearly has outplayed him.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Running back Josh Jacobs: He held out of training camp and preseason before signing the franchise tag (one-year, $11.79M deal), but he hasn’t proved he deserves a massive extension. He’s averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry and only has two games with 100 or more rushing yards.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Head coach Brandon Staley: Per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the team will fire Staley at the end of the season “barring a miracle.” In three seasons, Staley has a 23-23 record counting the postseason and no playoff wins despite having an elite QB in Justin Herbert. Moving on is the right call. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Wide receiver Rashod Bateman: Time is running out for Bateman, the Ravens’ 2021 first-round pick. He’s the fifth-leading receiver on the team (236 yards) and has yet to stay healthy for an entire season.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | General manager Andrew Berry: He is one of the more aggressive GMs, but his trade for QB Deshaun Watson isn't working out. There are still major questions at quarterback, and the Browns will be without a first-rounder for the third straight year in 2024 because of the Watson deal.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Wide receiver Tee Higgins: He is on pace for 507 receiving yards, by far his worst season yet, and QB Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury doesn’t help his case. He’s set to become a free agent following the season, leaving the Bengals with the decision of whether to retain their 2020 second-round pick.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Quarterback Kenny Pickett: The Steelers finally fired highly criticized OC Matt Canada, but that leaves the offense on the shoulders of Pickett. He looked good in his first showing without Canada, but Pittsburgh will likely need to see much more to feel comfortable sticking with their 2022 first-round pick. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Running back Dameon Pierce: After a promising 939-yard rushing season as a rookie, Pierce was expected to break out in 2023, but he has been passed on the depth chart by 26-year-old free-agent acquisition Devin Singletary. If Pierce (2.99 YPG) doesn’t string together a few strong performances, the Texans might draft his replacement on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Tight end Mo Alie-Cox: He began the season as Indy’s presumed starting TE, but he’s totaled just 10 targets through 11 games and has been outplayed by Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree. Alie-Cox’s receptions have declined every year since 2020 and his targets have decreased each of the past two years, signaling he could be looking for a new employer next season — especially with a solid group of free-agent tight ends available and a 2024 draft class that’s deep at his position.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson: The 20th overall pick in 2020 has been a disappointment in his four seasons with the Jags, totaling five sacks in 51 games. He hasn’t topped 20 pressures or 15 hurries since his rookie season, per Pro Football Focus, and Jacksonville could let him walk during free agency to pursue a pass-rush upgrade through free agency (Danielle Hunter, Josh Uche) or the draft (Chop Robinson, Bralen Trice, J.T. Tuimoloau).

TENNESSEE TITANS | Wide receiver Treylon Burks: The Titans haven’t gotten much return on the 2022 first-round pick (41 receptions, 566 yards, one touchdown, 16 games). He has battled asthma, injuries and general ineffectiveness during his tenure, and unless he goes off during the final six games, Tennessee could use its expected top-10 pick to draft his replacement (LSU’s Malik Nabers or Florida State’s Keon Coleman). — Michael Gallagher