Buying or Selling NFL Buzz on Frank Reich, More NFL Coaches on Hot Seat

'Tis the season, my football-loving friends, and we're not simply looking at the holidays. Hot seats are warming all over the NFL.

And there's no question Frank Reich is on a sizzling chair.

The first-year Carolina Panthers coach has overseen a disastrous season and may rapidly lose his job.

Elsewhere around the league, New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick has an uncertain future at his longtime home. Interestingly enough, his status is now connected to Washington Commanders boss Ron Rivera.

While the NFL enters Week 12, we're discerning fact from fiction as the coaching carousel begins its annual spin on the rumor mill.

"Not Much Friction" in Chicago with Matt Eberflus

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INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears signals to an official during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Matt Eberflus willingly inherited a rebuild with the Chicago Bears. From a roster perspective, the team has done—certainly not a perfect, but—a reasonably good job of navigating it.

"I don't sense much friction in Chicago," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said. "Still, that record could be tough to overcome.

The on-field results are indeed a different story.

Given the roster transition, you'd expect a struggle at times. Is the team actually progressing, though? It's hard to believe yes when Chicago's best performances only happen opposite the NFL's worst teams. Collapsing against the Detroit Lions doesn't help, either.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult to make a case for why he will remain in his position in 2024," Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune said.

During his time in charge, the Bears are 6-22 and haven't won consecutive games. They're still not sure if Justin Fields is the future at quarterback, and if Chicago ends in position to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, can the current staff be trusted to develop him anyway?

I'm not a decision-maker for Chicago, but that answer is no.

Verdict: Sell

Brandon Staley "Needs a Winner"

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers walks off the field after losing to the Green Bay Packers 23-20 at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

When you hire a defensive-minded head coach, it's only reasonable to expect that particular unit to improve.

Therein lies the issue with Brandon Staley.

Since his arrival, the Los Angeles Chargers have ranked 22nd, 30th and (currently) 30th in yards allowed per play. They've finished 29th and 21st in points allowed per game and are 23rd so far in 2023.

Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2021, wasted a 27-0 lead in the 2022 Wild Card Round and holds a 4-6 record this season. That's a big problem, given that "the feeling from some inside the league is ... Staley needs to lead a winner in Year 3 in order to survive," ESPN's Fowler said.

Down the stretch in 2023, the Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. Los Angeles clearly has several opportunities at a marquee win.

But if the Chargers drift further from playoff contention and don't beat top competition, Staley is probably gone.

Verdict: Buy

Pats "Not Inclined to Fire" Belichick In-Season

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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 12: Head Coach Bill Belichick of New England Patriots looks on prior to the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Bill Belichick has presided over the Patriots for 24 years and recently became the third NFL coach to win 300 games. As the team meanders through a 2-8 season and an underwhelming run in the post-Tom Brady era, however, owner Robert Kraft may be ready to move on.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, though, Kraft is "not inclined to fire Belichick midseason."

In short: Duh.

That's not a shot at Rapoport by any means. Seriously, can you imagine an organization would—save for off-field reasons—fire a six-time championship-winning head coach during the season?

My word, the disrespect.

Beyond that, former defender and current inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has been viewed as a potential successor. If Belichick's replacement is already in the building, why bother tarnishing the end of his tenure with an overeager change?

Belichick might not return in 2024, but Kraft is more likely to announce a change and celebrate the longtime coach in the finale.

Verdict: Buy

Commanders Fire Ron Rivera, Trade for Belichick

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders looks on during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 12, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

In all likelihood, Washington and its new ownership will not bring back Ron Rivera. The team has peaked at eight victories in his four-year tenure, and the 2023 campaign is trending toward the worst record yet.

The more interesting topic is that Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio recently shared a heck of a rumor.

"What I heard ... from someone I know, someone I trust, that made me say, 'Whoa, that's interesting,' is the possibility that the end result for the Commanders is a trade with the Patriots for Bill Belichick."

It's a fascinating idea. Belichick's championship pedigree would help legitimize the organization's plans.

After watching him mangle the handling of Mac Jones for two seasons, though, Washington should be sprinting in a different direction for Sam Howell's sake. Plus, it's likely that Belichick wants personnel control—he's always been the de facto general manager in New England—and the Commanders' brass shouldn't exactly be impressed by that, either.

Throw in the idea of sending draft-pick compensation to acquire Belichick, and this simply does not make sense for Washington.

Verdict: Buy a Change, Sell on Belichick

Frank Reich on "Hottest Seat"

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Frank Reich of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Prior to Week 11's Sunday slate, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports said "without a doubt" that Reich has the NFL's hottest seat.

Yes. Easily, yes.

Although he's in his first season with the Panthers, Reich is operating like a coach who feels the hot seat. He gave up play-calling duties after an 0-6 start—and promptly retook the controls within a month.

The result? Carolina tallied a season-worst 187 yards and matched its season low of 10 points in a 23-point loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

No team outside the NFC South has a lower remaining strength of schedule than one-win Carolina. If the Panthers don't suddenly start winning games—and we don't have any trends or evidence to suggest it's about happen—they should move on from Reich.

Verdict: Buy