Hot-Seat Watch for NFL Players, Coaches After Week 13

With Week 13 just about in the books—and the NFL postseason rapidly approaching—it's becoming easy to see which coaches, players and general managers find themselves on the hot seat.

The criteria for this list is simple: If the coach, general manager or player is struggling mightily, and the team is performing poorly and not going to make the playoffs, then it's fair to say he is on the hot seat. And in some cases (we're looking at you, Jim Harbaugh), a playoff appearance might not even be enough to save a job.

With these factors in play, the speculation of job statuses can officially begin, with media reports factoring into the aforementioned speculation.

Here is the hot-seat watch for NFL players, coaches and general managers after Week 13.

Rex Ryan, Head Coach, New York Jets

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat

One of the most famous scenes in the history of the show Seinfeld featured George Costanza trying to get fired by the New York Yankees—and going to extreme measures to secure his unemployment.

Monday night at MetLife Stadium, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan played the role of Costanza—but instead of dragging a Lombardi Trophy around the parking lot, he limited quarterback Geno Smith to only 13 throws in a 16-13 loss to division rival Miami.

With the Jets inserting Smith back into the starting lineup for the final five games of the season—presumably to evaluate him to see if he can be "The Guy" moving forward—Ryan opted to run the ball 49 times, which surely raised the ire of general manager John Idzik.

Speaking after the game, Ryan offered up some of his legendary double talk to reporters, via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, saying, "[Running the ball 49 times] had zero to do with us not having faith in our quarterback. It had everything to do with us trying to win the game."

Or, it had everything to do with Ryan having zero faith in Smith. But no matter, as Ryan will only have four more games as Jets coach to make asinine decisions and defend them with ludicrous quotes like that one.

Ryan will be the rare person appearing on two television shows over the next four Sundays: during Jets games and as an extra on The Walking Dead.

Prediction: Ryan will be fired.

When Will It Happen: On Black Monday (the day after Week 17's NFL Sunday).

Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Why He's on the Hot Seat: You know, we're having a hard time figuring this one out ourselves.

Since he took over as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers prior to the 2011 season, Jim Harbaugh has done nothing but win games and advance deep into the postseason. Harbaugh's record is 43-16-1, and his teams advanced to at least the NFC Championship Game in each of the last three seasons (along with an appearance and close loss in Super Bowl XLVII).

There are teams that would bend over backwards to lure a coach of Harbaugh's quality to town. So why are the 49ers apparently so eager to get rid of him?

There are the reported clashes with general manager Trent Baalke, which Baalke has predictably denied. There was the early-season report that Harbaugh was losing the 49ers locker room. And of course, the 49ers infamously discussed potentially trading Harbaugh to the Browns this past offseason.

Regardless of Harbaugh's coaching acumen, it looks as if his time in San Francisco has run its course, particularly after the club's 19-3 home defeat to the rival Seahawks on Thanksgiving. In the wake of the loss, 49ers owner Jed York tweeted that the performance "wasn't acceptable." And no, it's not usually a good thing when your boss calls you out in a public forum.

ESPN's Adam Schefter poured more fuel on the fire with a weekend report that the 49ers would once again look to trade Harbaugh this offseason, potentially to the New York Jets or Oakland Raiders.

With the 49ers at 7-5 and currently on the outside of the NFC playoff picture looking in, it appears likely that 2014 will be Harbaugh's last season with the team. His offense has struggled, only topping 20 points once in the last six games, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been far too inconsistent.

Is it possible that the 49ers could make a late-season surge and qualify for the postseason? Of course. And if they do get to the tournament, there won't be a team in the NFC that will want to see them. If that happens, Harbaugh could potentially be back in 2015.

But at this point, the smart money is on Harbaugh coaching elsewhere next season.

Prediction: The 49ers and Harbaugh will part ways.

When Will It Happen: Sometime between the conclusion of the season and the Super Bowl.

Brian Hoyer, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

David Richard/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: For Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, a 7-5 record as the starter no longer matters.

The only numbers that count for Hoyer's job security are zero and five, which are the number of touchdown passes (zero) and interceptions (five) he tossed over the last two games.

If not for an epic blunder in time management from Falcons coach Mike Smith in Week 12, the Browns would have surely lost in Atlanta, and that could have potentially signaled the end of the Hoyer era. But it most likely came to a conclusion Sunday in Buffalo, where Hoyer was so bad that head coach Mike Pettine pulled him in the fourth quarter in favor of first-round rookie Johnny Manziel.

Quite frankly, the move has been a long time coming. Hoyer did a serviceable enough job as the starter (11 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions and a 7-5 record) and deserves to be on an NFL roster, but he's not a franchise quarterback. Once the Browns traded up to select Manziel in the first round of this past May's draft, Hoyer's ouster was inevitable. In fact, he deserves credit for holding Manziel off this long.

At this point, there can be no question that Manziel could and should be "The Guy" for the remainder of Cleveland's season. Pettine intimated as much in a postgame interview with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio (via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer):

"

The door is definitely open for a change at the quarterback position. It's not like we're just going to go back to Brian. This has been a cumulative thing, where discussions about a change at quarterback have been more and more lively. We'll evaluate both quarterbacks and have a decision soon.

"

If you're not familiar with coachspeak, that translates to Manziel starting Sunday when the Browns host Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.

And it's about time.

Prediction: Manziel will be named the starter and Hoyer his primary backup.

When Will It Happen: This Wednesday.

Reggie McKenzie, General Manager, Oakland Raiders

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: Where do we even begin?

Should we start with the fact that the Oakland Raiders are 9-35 in nearly three seasons under the stewardship of hapless and clueless general manager Reggie McKenzie?

Should we analyze the Silver and Black's utter lack of talent that has made a mockery of one of the NFL's proudest franchises?

Or should we simply mention that the Raiders just lost 52-0—52-0!—to the 5-7 St. Louis Rams? 

That's right. You don't need to rub your eyes. You read that correctly. The Raiders just lost 52-0 to the 5-7 Rams.

52-0. 52-0. 52-0! How is that even possible?

We'll tell you how it's possible: McKenzie has constructed one of the worst rosters in the NFL's modern era. The team stinks. The only positive is that the Raiders somehow managed to win a game (Week 12 vs. Kansas City), so they won't become the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16. Instead, they'll likely finish 1-15.

McKenzie's supporters (the list is shrinking by the week) will point to his successful 2014 draft class, which looks like it will produce some good players, notably linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr. But those selections shouldn't mask the horrendous job he's done; it's more like taking a man who hasn't showered in two months and spraying him with a spritz of cologne and hoping he smells decent. 

McKenzie hired deposed coach Dennis Allen, and while Allen was overmatched, it's become crystal clear that no coach could win with this awful roster. An amalgamation of Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll would maybe go 3-13 with the 2014 Raiders. 

At season's end, owner Mark Davis must do the right thing for his loyal (and jaded) fanbase and fire McKenzie. Anything less should change one of the team's most famous mantras from "commitment to excellence" to "commitment to last place."

Prediction: Once Davis realizes no head coach worth a damn will come to Oakland with McKenzie in charge, he'll dismiss his clueless general manager.

When Will It Happen: On Black Monday, or whenever Jon Gruden or Jim Harbaugh tells Davis to do it.

Jay Gruden, Head Coach, Washington Redskins

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: The 2014 Washington Redskins have degenerated into a full-on dumpster fire, and coach Jay Gruden could be the one to pay the price.

When you objectively view the Redskins' campaign, it's easy to see why they're 3-9. The team isn't very good and was doomed from the start with the clueless and petulant Robert Griffin III at quarterback. It's difficult to properly evaluate Gruden's first year based on those critical factors. So why is Gruden on the hot seat?

Simple: because he openly criticized Griffin, who has long been a personal favorite of owner Daniel Snyder. After doing so, Gruden offered a public apology, but it's unlikely he was actually sorry. What's more likely is that he was called to the principal's (Snyder's) office and reprimanded for daring to rebuke the "star" quarterback (Griffin). Gruden then benched Griffin in favor of journeyman Colt McCoy, who will remain the quarterback next week.

The one thing working in Gruden's favor is that Griffin's foibles already sealed the fate of one head coach—the deposed Mike Shanahan—and if Snyder allows Griffin's issues to force out another coach, the public tide will surely turn against him more fiercely than ever before.

Prediction: Gruden will be retained for 2015 and win the power struggle against Griffin.

When Will It Happen: The announcement will be made as the season winds down.

Marc Trestman, Head Coach, Chicago Bears

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: It turned out that the Chicago Bears' two-game win streak was nothing more than a fleeting mirage in an especially desolate desert.

Coach Marc Trestman's Bears reverted to their mistake-prone ways and collapsed in a 34-17 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions, putting Trestman squarely back on the hot seat.

After the Bears lost three straight games to tumble to 3-6—including back-to-back contests in which the team allowed over 50 points—they won two straight over inferior competition, lending belief that they were on the cusp of turning things around.

As the kids would say: LOL.

Trestman's team folded like a cheap suit on Thanksgiving, getting run off the field by the Lions after racing out to a 14-3 lead. The loss exemplified the struggles of the Trestman era: an inconsistent offense and a defense that might have issues stopping the Oregon Ducks.

Just read this quote from Trestman in the wake of the loss at Detroit, via Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com:

"

We just didn't do enough. It starts with me. I'm looking inside and accepting accountability for this loss. We just couldn't get it done and didn't have enough ammunition to stop them or continue drives. We couldn't overcome the adversity that we had over the course of the game, and matching score-for-score, we couldn't do that.

"

Yikes.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is the quote of a dead man walking—one who knows his already hot seat is ready to burst into flames.

There's still a chance Trestman could keep his job, but the Bears would have to finish strong in order to make that happen, and the problem with that train of thought is that the team stinks.

The more likely scenario is Trestman being relieved of his duties after only two seasons on the Chicago sidelines.

Prediction: Trestman will be fired at season's end after completing a disappointing 6-10 campaign.

When Will It Happen: On Black Monday.

Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese, HC/GM, New York Giants

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Why They're on the Hot Seat: Sunday's loss to the previously 1-10 Jacksonville Jaguars has to be the last straw for New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese.

The defeat—Big Blue's seventh in a row, dropping its record to 3-9—was inexcusable beyond belief. It was the kind of loss constructed in only the most nightmarish of scenarios—racing out to a 21-0 lead against one of the league's worst teams, only to collapse with more vigor than the 2004 Yankees. It was the kind of loss that leaves you scratching your head hours after the game ended, wondering how in the world that just happened.

Well, we'll tell you how it happened: The Giants stink. The Giants have no talent. The Giants are poorly coached.

And due to all those factors, it's clear that the Giants need to move on from Coughlin and Reese.

As we've written in this space before, Giants fans will always look fondly on the tenures of both Coughlin and Reese, as two Super Bowl titles are nothing to scoff at. They will both be invited back for ceremonies at MetLife Stadium, and neither man should ever have to buy dinner or drinks in New York City ever again. But past triumphs can no longer make up for present failures.

Reese, the primary culprit in this disaster, constructed a terrible team devoid of talent. Since his magnum opus—the 2007 draft class—Reese has mostly swung and missed in both the draft and free agency, and those failures have come to roost this season. He cannot be left in charge of another offseason.

And while Coughlin has won two Super Bowl titles, he's 19-25 since claiming victory in Super Bowl XLVI. That isn't good enough for continued employment, especially with the team faltering in the manner it is.

Savor the last four games, Giants fans. The end of an era is rapidly approaching.

Prediction: Reese will be fired, and Coughlin will step down.

When Will It Happen: Reese will be fired on Black Monday, and Coughlin will announce his resignation plans as the season winds down.

Ron Rivera, Head Coach, Carolina Panthers

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: It seems like a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was bestowed with the nickname "Riverboat Ron." The sobriquet was issued because of Rivera's fondness for fourth-down attempts and zany coaching decisions, and it seemed as if he had the Midas touch in leading the Panthers to a 12-4 mark in 2013.

But as far as 2014 is concerned, the riverboat is no longer afloat. Hell, it's currently stationed at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean—along with the Panthers' season.

After yet another miserable defeat highlighted by inexcusable mistakes—a 31-13 thrashing at the hands of the 5-7 Vikings—Rivera's Panthers dropped to 3-8-1 and have now lost six consecutive games. The team's comedy of errors continued, as the Panthers allowed two punts to be blocked and returned for touchdowns—in the first half alone!

In a year in which a 7-9 team could feasibly win the atrocious NFC South, the Panthers look utterly incapable of reaching that mark. 

It's worth noting that Rivera is far from the only problem in Carolina. General manager Dave Gettleman conducted a disastrous offseason that left the talent pool much thinner than in 2013. The Panthers simply aren't a very good team across the board. But with that said, Rivera hasn't done a good job, with the team's numerous mental gaffes highlighted here by ESPN.com's David Newton.

The bottom line is that the Panthers are now 28-31-1 in nearly four seasons under Rivera, and it certainly appears that this will be the third year of his tenure without a trip to the postseason.

And with each successive loss, his seat grows hotter and hotter.

Prediction: Rivera will return as the team's head coach...

When Will It Happen: ...but will enter 2015 on a hot seat doused in kerosene.

Derek Carr, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

Why He's on the Hot Seat: While the Oakland Raiders are 1-10 and on a fast track toward 1-15 as well as the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, it'd be irresponsible at best and downright stupid at worst to blame the team's struggles on rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

Despite playing on an offense that would produce fewer fantasy football starters than some teams in the SEC West, Carr has acquitted himself well in his neophyte campaign, tossing 14 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions.

But the situation in Oakland has become untenable, and it's probably best that Carr hits the bench. Why? Because this Raiders team is truly dreadful and has absolutely no hope.

Oakland is coming off a 52-0 loss to the 5-7 Rams, and coach Tony Sparano pulled Carr from the game in the fourth quarter. Of course, backup quarterback Matt Schaub came into the game and promptly threw a pick-six interception (in related news, water is wet), but that's a story for another time.

Sparano explained his decision postgame, via Jerry McDonald of the San Jose Mercury News:

"

It had nothing to do with what Derek did or didn't do. It was just the scenario. I had to be honest with myself at that point and take him out of the game and not risk him potentially getting hurt. I made the decision, and it was the right decision.

"

The Raiders are going nowhere, and it'd be a major upset if they won another game this year. So why even trot out Carr for further punishment?

Carr has proved that he can be a potential franchise quarterback, with Bleacher Report's Matt Miller offering up a vote of confidence for him in the wake of Sunday's defeat. But at this point, it doesn't make sense to expose Carr to more beatdowns that could potentially damage both his psyche and his physique.

Prediction: Carr will eventually be pulled from the lineup in favor of Schaub.

When Will It Happen: After the club's Week 15 loss at Kansas City, in which Carr will be running for his life from the Chiefs pass rush.