5 NFL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat Entering Make-or-Break 2026 Season

The thrill of competition and pads popping on a hot August day create a level of excitement and even hope for all 32 NFL teams. Reality is far harsher than the climate, particularly for certain head coaches.

NFL coaches are forced to compartmentalize their situation. The daily pressure placed on the the leaders of a professional football team could be crippling if they allow it to be. Instead, each prepares their squad to the best of their ability and makes their situations a daily process.

However, no one can deny that some shouldn't be comfortable with their standing even now in training camp.

Setting aside this year's 10 new head coaches, as well as 11 more whose squad made the postseason last season, the coaching carousel may slow a little going into next offseason. The league can't continue to turn over nearly a third of its head coaches each offseason.

Five should enter the 2026 regular season already on the hot seat, from simmering to fully enflamed.

5. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Nick Sirianni is the only coach on this list whose squad made the playoffs last season. But anyone who follows the NFL understands how much of a struggle it was for the Philadelphia Eagles to even reach that point—which ultimately resulted in a one-and-done appearance.

Sirianni may have led the franchise to its second Super Bowl victory two seasons ago, but issues within the locker room and significant stretches of offensive futility could make a switch possible.

The organization set sky-high expectations over the last decade with two championship runs. If things aren't going smoothly, Sirianni and his staff are going to hear about it at length. Last season was anything but smooth.

Sirianni's hire of Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator was under fire for the entire campaign. Ultimately, the two sides parted ways this offseason. Bickering between key offensive components made its way into the public eye after the unit continually stagnated. As a result, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver AJ Brown was traded to the New England Patriots.

"It's no secret. Our best teams since I've been here have been the closest teams," Sirianni told reporters last month. "We believe in that very much."

Another season where the team's culture comes into question will point directly toward the Eagles' head coach. Philadelphia has the talent to make yet deep playoff run. The majority of its offense remains intact, with first-round rookie Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks brought in to help offset the loss of Brown. Defensively, a trade for Johnathan Greenard replaces Jaelan Phillips, who signed with the Carolina Panthers. Riq Woolen should be viewed as a upgrade at cornerback.

At the same time, the three other teams in the NFC East appear improved, at least on paper. If the Eagles falter because Sirianni fails to get his team back on track, the organization should consider a quick hook to take full advantage of the window with its current core.

4. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

The Cincinnati Bengals haven't made the postseason since 2022, yet Zac Taylor should be slightly more comfortable than a few others on this list because his organization tends to be overly frugal.

"Contrary to prior reports, Taylor actually has two years remaining on his contract after this [2025] season, not one," The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. reported.

"He signed a five-year extension following the Super Bowl season. Then, after reaching the AFC Championship Game in the 2022 season, he signed another five-year extension through the 2027 campaign."

Bengals owner Mike Brown tends to be tight with his purse strings and previously showed he's willing to let a coach's contract play out completely before making a final decision, as he did with Taylor's predecessor, Marvin Lewis. Though another failed attempt to make the postseason should test Brown's patience.

Two specific issues have held Cincinnati back in recent years: injuries to quarterback Joe Burrow and atrocious defensive play. Even with Burrow dinged, the Bengals could have won far more games had the defense been capable of playing complementary football.

This offseason, the Bengals took a serious step toward improving last year's 31st-ranked defense. Most significantly, Cincinnati acquired the game's top nose tackle, Dexter Lawrence, in exchange for this year's 10th overall draft pick. The Bengals added the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Cashius Howell, in the second round. Veterans Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe joined the Bengals' front as free-agent signings.

Along the back end, safety Bryan Cook, who was born in Cincinnati and played for the Cincinnati Bearcats at the collegiate level, will bring a more physical presence after inking a three-year deal. Third-round rookie Tacario Davis also brings impressive size and length to the cornerback room.

Taylor may have a little more leeway than most, but the excuses are running out if Cincinnati isn't more successful this fall.

3. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Since Todd Bowles became the head coach in Tampa, the Buccaneers have walked the fine line of being highly successful yet simultaneously underwhelming.

Over the last four years, the Bucs own a 35-33 record. They had won three straight NFC South titles prior to last season. Then again, Tampa lost in the first round of the playoffs during each of those campaigns. Last year turned out to be truly disappointing, because the team managed a 8-9 and even beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. Despite Tampa's head-to-head victory, Carolina backed into the postseason thanks to a three-way tie-breaker.

Mediocrity didn't seem to sway Bucs ownership this offseason when it chose to retain Bowles for a fifth season.

"Every team has injuries, but there were significant injuries last year at significant positions," owner Joel Glazer said via Pewter Report. "You saw what this team could do. But every story has sub-stories, and it's hard. It's hard when you start a season and you think, 'This is what your team is going to be' and then you get to the season and you're missing a lot of pieces constantly throughout the season."

Yes, injuries played a significant role in Tampa's 2025 season. But the same applied to the San Francisco 49ers, who still managed 12 wins. Meanwhile, the Bucs finished under .500 playing in the league's weakest division.

Now, a few high-profile, key pieces are gone. The franchise's all-time leading receiver, Mike Evans, left in free agency. Linebacker Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons in Tampa. Jamel Dean spent his first seven seasons with the Bucs, and he was arguably the squad's best corner during that span.

Furthermore, contentiousness arose over contracts this offseason with quarterback Baker Mayfield and two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea. The latter resulted in a traded request, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Considering the circumstances, it's difficult to say with authority the Bucs are better today than they were last season. Bowles must navigate these choppy waters as if he's Odysseus. Otherwise, he might not find his way home after yet another disappointing season.

2. Aaron Glenn, New York Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

The New York Jets tied for the league's worst record in 2025, and Aaron Glenn looked like he'd be the latest one-and-done head coach. Instead, the Jets front office chose to stay the course based on the belief that Glenn can be a culture-changer.

"It's not the coaching," one starter told ESPN's Rich Cimini. "We need more pieces, a lot more pieces."

Even so, Glenn fired his offensive and defensive coordinators after last year's 3-14 performance. Frank Reich steps in as the offensive play-caller, while Glenn will become more hands-on with the defense. With more experienced coaches now on staff, the Jets should do a better job relaying and understanding their current philosophies. The roster is significantly better, too.

New York wasn't shy this offseason. General manager Darren Mougey overhauled a defense that finished among the league's bottom 10 overall and 31st in scoring defense. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat arrived via separate trades. The organization signed cornerback Nahshon Wright, safety Dane Belton, linebacker Demario Davis, defensive lineman David Onyemata and edge-defenders Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. The Jets also made a statement by using this year's second overall draft pick on the class' best pure pass-rusher, David Bailey.

From there, the Jets made two more first-round selections and acquired the top incoming tight end, Kenyon Sadiq, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Second-round cornerback D'Angelo Ponds shouldn't be overlooked as the most class' competitive prospect.

Geno Smith's return as New York's QB1 will likely be the biggest limiting factor. But the Jets weren't in a position to acquire a better option. Glenn better hope that Smith is good enough for the Jets to show significant progress this fall. Otherwise, the finger will be pointed directly at the head coach.

1. Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Colts ownership, under the watchful eye of Carlie Irsay-Gordon, would have been justified cleaning house after last season's historic second-half collapse. Instead, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen remain in place.

Team leadership opted for stability, with the hope that Indianapolis' 2026 performance resembles the squad that started last year with a league-best 8-2 record before key injuries, specifically quarterback Daniel Jones, compounded and led to a deflating seven-game losing streak.

"But organizationally, the Colts are moving forward steadfastly with a firm plan, according to multiple sources," ESPN's Stephen Holder reported in January. "The intent is to retain injured quarterback Daniel Jones—whose fractured fibula and subsequent ruptured Achilles initiated the Colts' slide—and getting star players including cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back on the field. Jones will be a free agent in March but is expected to be re-signed.

"Ownership, led by CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon, has endorsed the plan in recent weeks, sources said."

The plan has been executed.

Jones is back after signing a new two-year deal. The Colts also inked the quarterback's favorite target, Alec Pierce, to a four-year, $114 million contract. Three-time Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor agreed to a two-year, $44 million contract extension just this week.

Indianapolis also prioritized getting younger and faster on defense, particularly at linebacker. Akeem Davis-Gaither signed as a free agent after his first 100-tackle campaign. The Colts drafted CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher, who are expected to contribute extensively as rookies. Ballard fortified the defensive front by bringing in Arden Key, Micheal Clemons and Colby Wooden. Third-round rookie AJ Haulcy should start at strong safety. Most importantly, the trio of DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward are expected to be healthy.

Everything points toward a make-or-break season for Steichen (and Ballard) since the Colts have yet to make the postseason during his first three seasons, while looking for their first division title in 12 years.