NFL Players Who May End Up Costing Coaches Their Jobs with Poor Play

In the NFL world, the performances of the players on the field are always linked to the coaches working on the sidelines. When a player who is expected to be great falters, we often tend to place blame on the coaching staff. 

In the case of draft busts and free-agent follies, we tend to blame the executives who signed them.

This criticism isn't always fair, of course—sometimes players just stop wanting to play (anyone remember Albert Haynesworth?). However, it is usually the guys in the front office who bear the brunt of criticism when certain expectations are not met. 

In many instances, continued criticism leads to firings. 

We've already seen it a couple of times this season. Joe Philbin lost his job immediately after the Miami Dolphins underperformed their way to a 1-3 record (they're 2-0 since). Just this week, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was fired after failing to turn Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Ameer Abdullah into a threatening and cohesive unit.

We're going to look at a handful of players who could cause heads to roll by season's end because of underperformance. Those with jobs on the line will include head coaches, coordinators and general managers.

Just to be clear, we're not here to place blame on either the player or the coach in each situation. We're here to identify situations where a player's performance could have someone on the chopping block.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Job on the line: Head coach Chip Kelly

I was about 20 years too late to see Ford roll out the Mustang back in 1964, but I have owned and driven one of the first-generation vehicles. It was aggressive, quick and handled terrifically in space. I've also driven a second-generation 1974 Mustang, and while it still looked quite nimble and powerful, it really wasn't. Naturally, I never purchased one.

I bring this up because I get a sense that Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly bought a 2015 DeMarco Murray during the offseason expecting it to operate like the 2014 model—and he's probably been equally disappointed.

The reigning NFL rushing leader has produced just 307 yards and 3.5 yards per carry this season, and he has topped the 100-yard mark only once. If the Eagles aren't happy with Murray, too bad. Of the $40 million in Murray's contract, $18 million has already been guaranteed. 

Since Kelly runs the Eagles' personnel department, he deserves some of the blame for giving that kind of money to a back with only two 1,000-yard seasons and one 16-game season on his resume. As head coach, the offensive mad genius deserves blame for getting Murray to perform more like a Pinto than a pony car. 

Kelly deserves even more blame for continuing to lean on Murray when it has become evident that Ryan Mathews (6.1 yards per carry) and Darren Sproles (3.9 yards per carry) are more efficient runners in his system.

Now, Kelly made a number of questionable moves during the offseason—like trading for quarterback Sam Bradford—but Murray's contract, role and performance make him really stand out. 

The NFC East is a winnable division, especially with Tony Romo out for the Dallas Cowboys. If Murray continues to struggle, it's going to make Kelly look awfully bad at season's end. If his struggles contribute to Philadelphia missing out on a division title, then it might be enough icing on the disappointment cake to cost Kelly his job.

Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer, QBs, Houston Texans

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press/Associated Press

Brian Hoyer

Job on the line: Head coach Bill O'Brien 

OK, so quarterback Ryan Mallett is no longer a member of the Houston Texans organization. He was released on Tuesday after missing the team flight to Miami over the weekend. I get that. I'm still including him here because he and Brian Hoyer have combined to create a quarterback situation that could potentially cost head coach Bill O'Brien his job.

O'Brien coached the Texans to a 9-7 record in 2014 with a combination of Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Case Keenum at quarterback. He hand-picked the duo of Mallett and Hoyer for this year's quarterback competition, hoping to strengthen the position.

What ensued was a series of almost comical events.

O'Brien named Hoyer the starter, only to pull him before the end of opening day. Mallett (passer rating of just 63.3) started the next four games and failed. Hoyer (rating of 95.7) started the last two games. Mallett missed that flight, and now we're down to Hoyer and old Texans favorite T.J. Yates.

Now, the quarterback position isn't the only thing hampering the 2-5 Texans. However, it is one of the more glaring issues with the team, and O'Brien's mishandling of the situation over the first seven weeks may cost the team a real shot at a division title. 

The AFC South is bad, and there's no way around it. The 3-4 Indianapolis Colts are currently in first place, but they don't appear to be a team that is trending upward. One more victory, especially one over the Colts, and the Texans could be in control right now. 

A lot will obviously come down to how things shake out in the division. If the Texans fall just short of the playoffs, you can bet there will be criticism levied at O'Brien for giving Mallett those four starts (he went 1-3 in those games). 

The decision to go to Mallett for a month will become even more glaring if Hoyer continues to play at a respectable level.

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

R Brent Smith/Associated Press

Job on the line: Head coach Chuck Pagano 

We have to be honest here. Chuck Pagano is probably already done as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts at the end of this season. His contract is up at the end of the year, the team is struggling and it seems that he and general manager Ryan Grigson have some friction.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports wrote the following back in August:

"

There is consistent chatter around the league about tension between Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson, and Irsay's ungraceful handling of the coach's contract situation might mean he'll have to pick only one man to remain should this season result in anything less than a Super Bowl appearance. Grigson has a very strong relationship with the Irsay family and is signed through 2016, which could be a strong indication of how Irsay is leaning.

"

Of course, Pagano might be experiencing better job security if quarterback Andrew Luck wasn't playing like one of the worst players in the league.

What? Isn't Luck supposed to be the heir to the proverbial throne of NFL quarterbacks?

Well, yes. Luck was as physically gifted and fundamentally sound a prospect as we've seen when he came into the league back in 2012. In many ways, this still holds true. However, Luck has been playing more like a rookie quarterback this year than he ever has before. 

In fact, he's been downright awful at times. He seems to have developed a habit of staring down his first read, something that didn't previously seem to be an issue for him. He has also been making terrible decisions when under pressure. Considering Grigson has failed to put a lot of resources into the offensive line, this is an issue.

Luck is currently rated 51st among all quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the season. The only quarterback rated lower is Matthew Stafford of the Lions. His passer rating of 76.2 is lower than that of the likes of Kirk Cousins, EJ Manuel and Landry Jones.

We're not too worried about Luck over the long haul, unless Pagano's coaching has somehow ruined the young quarterback. However, his subpar play this season is likely to prevent the Colts from going on a meaningful run and Pagano from coming back in 2016.

Multiple Players, Multiple Positions, Cleveland Browns

David Richard/Associated Press/Associated Press

Justin Gilbert

Job on the line: General manager Ray Farmer

Plenty of things have gone wrong for the Cleveland Browns since their return to the league as an expansion team. Poor personnel decisions have contentiously hovered near the top of the list.

Well, it seems that current general manager Ray Farmer is happy to keep fanning the dumpster fire in the front office. His track record over the past two years has been pretty much laughable. 

Farmer has owned four first-round picks in the past two drafts and has drafted four players—cornerback Justin Gilbert, quarterback Johnny Manziel, defensive tackle Danny Shelton and center Cam Erving—who have combined to provide zero game-changing ability.

Three of the four first-round picks cannot even get onto the field on a regular basis. While Shelton finally gives Cleveland a legitimate nose tackle for its 3-4 scheme, he hasn't helped to improve the Browns' putrid run defense (still dead last in the league, folks). 

Shelton isn't even the best defensive tackle on the Browns roster, according to Pro Football Focus.

You might be able to blame owner Jimmy Haslam for the selection of Manziel—general perceptions suggest Haslam pushed the selection on Farmer. However, Farmer is responsible for the other three. He is also responsible for the offseason signing of receiver Dwayne Bowe, who got $9 million in guaranteed money and has played exactly 12 snaps this season. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Bowe hasn't played 12 quarters. He doesn't have 12 receptions. He's been on the field for 12 plays (with zero receptions, by the way).

Some of Farmer's pickups aren't even with the team anymore. Running back Terrance West, a third-round pick Farmer traded up to snag, was traded to the Tennessee Titans earlier this year for a conditional seventh-round pick. Receiver Vince Mayle, a fourth-round pick this year, was cut.

These misses would make a general manager look bad if they came over a four-year period. Coming in half that time makes Farmer look borderline foolish.

If some of Farmer's high draft picks don't start proving their worth soon, it's hard to imagine Cleveland wanting the text-happy executive back in 2016.  

Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Tennessee Titans

David Richard/Associated Press

Job on the line: Offensive coordinator Jason Michael

As a team, the Tennessee Titans have been a bit of a mess this year. Actually, the team has been a bit of a mess ever since Ken Whisenhunt took over as head coach. The Titans have gone 3-19 under him, and his offensive mastery has frequently been called into question.

In fact, Whisenhunt recently made it clear that he would consider handing play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator Jason Michael.

“Sure. I’m not opposed to that. Never said I was,” Whisenhunt said, per Jason Wolf of the Tennessean. “Whatever gives us a chance to win.”

The problem is that Michael, a first-time coordinator, deserves as much blame as Whisenhunt or even more at this point. Michael's crime is that he, along with offensive line coach Bob Bostad, have done a horrendous job of protecting the team's No. 1 asset, quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The former Oregon quarterback has been sacked 19 times this season and is now out with an MCL sprain. Continued punishment once he returns could take away one of Mariota's most underrated weapons: his mobility.

The biggest liability on the offensive line has been rookie right tackle Jeremiah Poutasi. Though Poutasi wasn't the one responsible for allowing the hit that injured Mariota, he has repeatedly made the Titans offensive line look terrible.

According to Pro Football Focus, Poutasi has been responsible for allowing seven sacks, three additional quarterback hits and 11 hurries.

The inability of Michael to find a better alternative at right tackle or to better scheme to protect his quarterback could eventually cost him his first coordinator job—especially if Tennessee's potential franchise quarterback suffers a really significant injury.

Brandon Browner, CB, New Orleans Saints

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Job on the line: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan

If the 3-4 New Orleans Saints don't somehow find a way to go on a run and earn a playoff spot, there is a realistic chance the team could decide to turn the page on the current regime of general manager Mickey Loomis, head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.

Yes, Brees deserves to be considered part of the regime.

If the Saints do go on a miracle playoff run, then maybe everyone will be back. Well, everyone probably won't be back. After last year's struggling defense and then this year's disaster (ranked 30th, allowing an average of 404.9 yards per game), there's a good chance that D-coordinator Rob Ryan is out the door regardless.

No player has personified the Saints' defensive struggles more than cornerback Brandon Browner.

New Orleans signed Browner to a three-year, $15 million deal in the offseason. That move in itself was a bit of a mistake. Let's be honest, Browner was never a top-tier cornerback, and he was surrounded by a championship-caliber secondary in each of the past two years.

However, the 31-year-old was at least respectable with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. In Ryan's defense, he's been, well, just the worst. Literally.

Browner is rated dead last among the 176 NFL cornerbacks to play so far this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He has allowed 23 receptions for 431 yards and a touchdown on 36 targets this season. He's also drawn 10 penalties. 

Whether this is a case of Browner just playing terribly or Ryan failing to put him in a position to succeed, one thing is clear: The pairing of Browner and Ryan's system has been an utter and complete disaster. 

If Browner doesn't improve his play—and Ryan doesn't find a way to better use him or just bench him—then the Saints defense is likely going to continue to struggle. If it does, it's hard to imagine Ryan being back.

Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Job on the line: Defensive coordinator Kris Richard 

There are a number of reasons why the 3-4 Seattle Seahawks are struggling this year. To some extent, many of them seem to be related.

The defense is still good overall, ranked fifth with 18.3 points allowed per game. However, it hasn't been making game-changing plays with the same frequency it had over the past couple of years.

As a result, there has been more pressure on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense, and with one of the worst offensive lines in football (Wilson has been sacked 31 times), it seems the offense isn't quite equipped to handle it. 

The big change in the defense, of course, is the departure of former coordinator Dan Quinn, who is now head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Defensive backs coach Kris Richard was promoted to the position.

Interestingly, it has probably been star cornerback Richard Sherman who has seen the biggest drop-off this season. He's still a good cornerback, sure, but he's looked uncharacteristically average this season.

Miscommunication in the defensive backfield seems to be part of the problem, but Sherman has been more susceptible to quick cuts and double moves, so long as they come on shorter routes (Sherman is still excellent in deep coverage).

According to Pro Football Focus, Sherman has given up 14 receptions on 21 targets for 215 yards. Quarterbacks who target Sherman have a cumulative passer rating of 100.3. He has also missed four tackles and is rated 138th among all cornerbacks. 

When Sherman is looking like a mid-pack cornerback, then you know there are issues in the secondary. 

Now, Sherman has time to rebound, and so do the Seahawks. If they don't and they miss the playoffs, however, then it might be time to re-evaluate Richard's role with the team. In this instance, it might be best to bring in a new coordinator and let Richard go back to focusing on the secondary. 

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Job on the line: Head coach Jim Tomsula 

Could Jim Tomsula really be one-and-done as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers? Right now, it appears legitimately possible, as the team is 2-5 and seems to lack the heart, pride and physicality it exhibited under former head coach Jim Harbaugh. 

The bigger surprise, however, is just how far quarterback Colin Kaepernick has fallen under the new regime. Sure, he wasn't incredibly consistent before, but his current-season passer rating of 82.8 is a career worst as a starter, and Kaepernick's mechanics seem to have actually regressed. 

Pick out just about any 49ers game this season and the tape. At some point, you're likely to see Kaepernick running directly into a defender in the pocket or throwing a pass so inaccurate that it defies logic. Even worse, it seems that teammates have lost faith in their quarterback.

After going from regularly promoting Beats to just regularly being beat, it seems that Kaepernick has even lost confidence in himself. 

"His confidence is completely shot," Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer recently said. "It's not that (the players) don't like him. But he's just alone, on an island in that locker room. There's not a lot of people he connects with."

It's part of Tomsula's job to instill confidence in his players and to hold the team together. If Kaepernick really is broken and his teammates are distant, then it's also Tomsula's job to put a different plan in place. Yet it seems he has no intention of doing so.

“Yes, Colin’s our quarterback. No controversies,” Tomsula said after last week's 20-3 loss, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

Because Kaepernick's contract is essentially a year-to-year deal, the 49ers will have a prime opportunity to replace him if the team winds up with a high draft pick at year's end. If Tomsula doesn't find a way to wrangle everybody in and right the Kaepernick ship, there's a good chance he goes down with it.