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NFL Coach Is Overwhelming Favorite To Be Fired Mid-Season

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 1:56 PM ET

Its only Week 5 of the NFL season, but a few coaches are already feeling the pressure.

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and New York Giants coach Brian Daboll were facing "must-win" situations in Week 4. They both managed to take care of business at home, defeating the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively.

While it's possible McDaniel and Daboll are let go at some point in the next few months, neither coach is the overwhelming favorite to be fired first. That title now belongs to Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan.

Callahan is currently in his second season with the Titans. He went 3-14 during the 2024 season, which led to his team owning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite acquiring a potential-packed quarterback in Cam Ward, his offense hasn't improved at all.

The Titans are averaging just 12.8 points per game this season. That's a big reason why they're heading into Week 5 with an 0-4 record.

With Week 5 set to begin this Thursday night, Callahan is -275 to be the first head coach fired this season. For reference, McDaniel has the second-best odds at +220.

Updated odds to be the first NFL HC fired this season:

Brian Callahan (-275)
Mike McDaniel (+220)
Brian Daboll (11/1)
Dave Canales (12/1)
Kellen Moore (18/1)
Kevin Stefanski (18/1)
Raheem Morris (20/1)
Brian Schottenheimer (20/1)
John Harbaugh (25/1)
Jonathan Gannon (33/1)…
— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) October 1, 2025

Callahan feeling the pressure.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, there's "moderate" concern in Tennessee that Callahan could be fired mid-season.

"The proverbial "vibes" simply are not good right now. The front office entered the season with optimism about head coach Brian Callahan, who was a hot name on the coaching circuit in 2024. And though it wouldn't set a win-loss goal in regard to his tenure, Titans brass wanted to see a team that's improving. That's hardly the case in Tennessee, where a minus-69 point differential through four games is by far the worst in the league," Fowler wrote. "The overall lack of flow from week to week is only intensifying the discomfort. Callahan relinquishing playcalling duties to assistant Bo Hardegree a week ago could buy the staff a little time, but firing him a week after such a change would be counterproductive."

Callahan enters Week 5 with an overall record of 3-18. It's tough to see a coach with a .143 winning percentage hanging onto his job much longer.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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