NFL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat Entering 2025 Season

The NFL is revolving door for head coaches and general managers where time is of the essence. One moment, you're drafting your first class of rookies; the next, you're no longer with the franchise. 

The coaching hot seat is real. The old adage remains true: "It's not about how you start, it's how you finish." Translation: A fast start as a coach doesn't equate to long-term success or job security.

Let's look at a few coaches who are on the hot seat entering the 2025 NFL season.

Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Mike McDaniel took over as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2022 after his time as the offensive coordinator with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. 

After three years, the 42-year-old enters a pivotal 2025 NFL season. He holds a record of 28-23 coming off his first losing season. He has eclipsed 10 wins once, in 2023. He has made the playoffs twice but remains winless in the postseason. 

McDaniel believes he is the right man for the job, and that's not unexpected. His offenses have been known for not being the toughest or most physical units in the league. And there have been suggestions he is too player-friendly and doesn't hold his guys accountable, which can be troublesome for creating a winning culture. 

McDaniel feels the support of owner Stephen Ross, but anything can happen once the season starts. If the Dolphins have a horrible season, the head coach and GM Chris Grier's jobs could be in jeopardy.

They haven't built a perennial powerhouse team to fall back on at this point. Losing breeds consequences.

Seat Temperature: Mildly Hot

Brian Daboll, New York Giants

AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

Brian Daboll has seen better days with the New York Giants. He took over as head coach in 2022 and finished with a winning record of 9-7. He coached that team to a playoff win and elevated Daniel Jones to his best showing as an NFL quarterback. 

However, his overall 18-32-1 record has placed more pressure on him to get the team right early in the season. The 50-year-old doesn't have much leeway after being given another year to get it right.

We have seen this story play out before, and it rarely has a positive ending for the coaching staff. 

After releasing Jones during the season, it became apparent the Giants were looking ahead to the 2025 draft for their future quarterback. Coming off a three-win season, they need a strong start to rack up wins. This may buy him more time if the team improves this year. 

The Giants' quarterback situation is less than ideal, relying on veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, along with Jaxson Dart.

If things come off the rails, Daboll could get desperate and sacrifice his rookie's development to save his job. He was reportedly the biggest fan of Dart in the Giants organization. 

If New York is on the path to repeating its 2024 record and securing a top-five draft position, though, Daboll and the front office will more than likely not be making the calls next offseason. 

Seat temperature: Hot

Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Shane Steichen's seat should be the hottest in the NFL. He was hired by the Indianapolis Colts for his work with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in 2022 as the offensive coordinator. 

However, after a 9-8 season in 2023, the Colts regressed to 8-9 last year. Steichen's win-loss record as a coach is even at 17-17.

In his first offseason, the Colts selected the toolsy but raw quarterback prospect Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick.

For multiple reasons, not all Steichen's fault, Richardson has not proved to be their franchise quarterback. He is now in a battle for the starting job with Daniel Jones, who was cut halfway through the season last year. 

A big issue was not implementing "layup" throws for any of his quarterbacks last season. Per NFL Pro, Richardson led the league in deep pass percentage (throws 20+ air yards) with 20 percent. Meanwhile, backup Joe Flacco ranked as the fourth-highest with a 13.7 percent deep passing percentage.

Steichen is an offense-minded head coach, but the Colts passing offense has lacked substance. Adding versatile tight end Tyler Warren should help alleviate some passing pressure and bring the air yards per attempt below 12 yards.

Steichen's play-calling has also been questionable, and if Jones is the starting quarterback, he should be concerned about his job security.

General manager Chris Ballard and Steichen's jobs could be on the line this season. If Richardson flames out, no one should be considered safe, especially if he doesn't start over Jones in a final chance to prove his worth. 

With the death of owner Jim Irsay in May 2025, the new ownership could decide the franchise needs a hard reset if next season does not go well.

Seat temperature: Scorching