Matt Johnson
The National Football League hasn’t been as quick to fire head coaches this season as the college football world. However, it might not be long before we see the first NFL coach fired this season. Who will it be? The NFL coaches hot seat has a few compellign options, but one stands out above all.
Let’s dive into our NFL coaching hot seat rankings right now after Week 4.
1. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
It feels like a matter of when, not if, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is fired. Despite having the first overall pick at quarterback, Callahan’s offense has been just as bad with Cam Ward at quarterback as it was last season. The Titans’ coach is also a bit combative with the media, and he’s already given up play-calling duties—a sign of desperation to save his job.
- Brian Callahan coaching record: 3-18 as the Tennessee Titans head coach
Tennessee also looks like a team that has quit on its head coach, and that’s the last type of environment you want your face of the franchise to be experiencing in his rookie season. One hesitation might be the lack of head-coaching experience on this Titans coaching staff, which makes finding an interim coach a bit more difficult. Ultimately, we would bet on Callahan being fired before October ends, with someone like special teams coordinator John Fassel, who was the Rams interim coach in 2026, taking over the gig.
- Prediction: Fired after Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals
Related: Tennessee Titans Coaching Candidates to Replace Brian Callahan
2. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Among the NFL coaches on the hot seat, Mike McDaniel feels like the biggest scapegoat of them all. The Miami Dolphins‘ issues start in the front office, with general manager Chris Grier responsible for assembling one of the worst rosters in football. What the past 20 games have shown from this team is an offense that doesn’t have the offensive line to sustain success and a quarterback whose limitations only make things worse.
- Mike McDaniel coaching record: 28-26 as the Miami Dolphins head coach
That doesn’t excuse the cultural issues in the Dolphins’ locker room that festered under McDaniel’s watch. Miami’s head coach allowed issues to go unchecked for far too long, which prompted changes being made this offseason. Unfortunately for the Dolphins’ head coach, there’s only so much you can do with Tua Tagovailoa, a bottom-10 offensive line, and one of the league’s worst defenses. Ultimately, McDaniel will likely be fired during the season and then become the most coveted offensive coordinator in 2026.
- Prediction: Miami Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier before Week 12 bye following a 2-9 record
Related: Miami Dolphins Coaching Candidates to Replace Mike McDaniel
3. Brian Daboll, New York Giants
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll bought himself a little time on the NFL coaching hot seat by naming Jaxson Dart the starter and then beating the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. However, it really just feels like a stay of execution for the Giants’ head coach.
- Brian Daboll coaching record: 19-35-1 as the New York Giants head coach
Even with that victory, New York still has a 12-33-1 record since Week 11 of the 2022 NFL season. Furthermore, Daboll’s offense ranks 31st in EPA per Play and 30th in Success Rate over the last two-plus seasons. New York might win another game against New Orleans, but it then faces the Eagles (twice), Broncos, 49ers, Bears, Packers, Lions, and Patriots before a Week 14 bye. Daboll isn’t lasting the entire season, not with the record this team will have entering December.
- Prediction: New York Giants fire Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll after Week 13 with a 2-10 record
Related: New York Giants Coaching Candidates to Replace Brian Daboll
4. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
We’ll start by saying that the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t fire Dave Canales. Similar to McDaniel, he’s been limited as a play-caller by what quarterback Bryce Young can’t do. The Panthers’ head coach has gotten more out of Young than anyone expected after his rookie season, but there are restraints put on an offense when you have a 5-foot-10 quarterback with average physical tools.
- Dave Canales coaching record: 6-15 as the Carolina Panthers head coach
With that said, we’re still talking about a Panthers franchise run by David Tepper. He’s fired five head coaches, three in the NFL and two in MLS), since taking over Carolina’s two sports franchises. Tepper wants results as quickly as possible and right now, the Panthers aren’t any closer to becoming a playoff-caliber team. While that says more about the quarterback and lack of resources invested into the defense, Tepper will want someone to blame. Ultimately, the choice will come down to Canales or Young.
- Prediction: Dave Canales fired by Carolina Panthers on Black Monday after team finishes 5-12
Read More: NFL Power Rankings 2025
5. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
First, we’ll recognize that it’s unlikely the Baltimore Ravens fire John Harbaugh less than a year after signing him to a three-year extension. He’s well-liked within the organization, and a 35-16 record in the previous three seasons will buy him some time. However, it’s worth examining his situation.
- John Harbaugh coaching record: 170-103 as the Baltimore Ravens head coach
Harbaugh ultimately decided to name Zachary Orr as the defensive coordinator to replace Michael McDonald instead of Dennard Wilson or Anthony Weaver. The decision has backfired. Baltimore’s head coach also has to shoulder the responsibility for a team that has lost eight games since 2021 when it had a win probability of at least 90 percent (Benjamin Solak), when no other team has five.
The Ravens’ playoff collapses have happened for a variety of reasons, but each of them reflects a team that seems ill-prepared for the biggest moments. Now, Baltimore is coming off two of its worst losses since 2021, and it doesn’t appear to have the talent or defense to turn things around. Past success likely buys him another year, but the clock is now ticking on Harbaugh.
- Prediction: Baltimore Ravens retain John Harbaaugh for 2026, fire DC Zachary Orr and make an outside hire to replace him as defensive coordinator
Read More: NFL Defense Rankings 2025
