Hot seats: Gruden, Lewis feeling the pressure

As the NFL season gets set to kickoff, TSN.ca presents a look at where each head coach sits, in terms of job security, entering the season. As many eight coaches could be feeling the pressure as they enter 2015 season.

First-year coaches

First-year coaches are typically given a long leash as they are tasked with turning around or changing the culture of a franchise. When hired, these coaches are typically given a multi-year window to address problems within the organization. Last year, not one first-year head coach was hired, ending a streak of three straight seasons with at least one NFL team making a first-year hire. Barring complete disaster, these coaches should be safe from a pink slip regardless of their 2015 record.
 

 Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons

Quinn was heavily sought after by owner Arthur Blank as he looked to rebuild the Falcons defence and return them to their winning ways. The Falcons waited for the Seahawks to complete their run to the Super Bowl before hiring Quinn and his offensive coordinator of choice, Kyle Shanahan. It won’t take much for Quinn to get the defence to show signs of improvement – the unit ranked dead last in yards allowed in 2014. After posting just 10 wins across the past two seasons, the Falcons will look to the bigger picture as Quinn and Shanahan implement their systems.

 

 Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills

Ryan stayed in the AFC East after being fired by the New York Jets in January. Ryan inherits one of the league’s top defences and has been given a talented group of skill players led by an elite running back in LeSean McCoy. Much like with the Jets, however, Ryan will once again have to make due with a sub-par quarterback situation. As long as the defence can continue to dominate, Ryan should be free to try new quarterbacks for years to come. First up is Tyrod Taylor.

 

 John Fox, Chicago Bears

Fox’s time in Denver came to a sudden end after another early playoff exit. Now, he takes over a Bears team with plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball. The Bears have strong pieces in their offence in receiver Alshon Jeffery, guard Kyle Long and tight end Martellus Bennett, but Fox will be tasked with whether or not he can make the Bears a winning team with quarterback Jay Cutler at the helm. If the team struggles in Fox’s first year, Cutler is much more likely to be packing his bags than the head coach.

 

 Gary Kubiak, Denver Broncos

John Elway hired Kubiak with both short-term and long-term plans for the franchise in mind. Kubiak’s run-heavy system could help lower the amount of pressure on Peyton Manning and help keep him healthy through his age-39 season. If Manning struggles again in 2015 as he did in the latter half of the 2014 season, the quarterback will likely ride off into the sunset while Kubiak guides the team’s rebuild. Like Cutler for Fox, Manning will likely take the fall if the team struggles this season.

 

 Todd Bowles, New York Jets

The New York Jets once again focused on defence as they replaced Rex Ryan and nabbed one of the best defensive minds in football in Bowles. After spending the past two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, Bowles inherits one of the most talented defensive lines in football, along with a revamped secondary including All-Pro Darrelle Revis. His first season in the Big Apple hasn’t gotten off to the best start - his quarterback suffered a broken jaw as a result of a locker room sucker punch – but low expectations for the Jets in year one should keep Bowles employed through 2016.

 

 Jack Del Rio, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders showed improvement during the 2014 season once Tony Sparano took over as the interim head coach. Now, Del Rio is tasked with turning that promise into success for a franchise that hasn’t posted a winning season since 2002. The Raiders have drafted cornerstone pieces in quarterback Derek Carr, linebacker Khalil Mack and receiver Amari Cooper, but the team still has plenty of room for improvement. Should the Raiders falter again in 2015, general manager Reggie McKenzie will likely be left to face the music.

 

 Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers

Tomsula is left to pick up the pieces after a stunning offseason in San Francisco. The former defensive line coach takes over for Jim Harbaugh, who guided the team to three straight NFC Championship games before missing the playoffs in 2014. Though Tomsula won’t have to work within power struggle between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke this season, he will have to work without a number of key players from the 49ers of old. The loss of Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Chris Borland, Anthony Davis and others, Tomsula will have no shortage of excuses for failure in 2015.
 

Untouchable

These coaches have established themselves as the best in the league, there is no doubt, barring retirement, they will return in 2016.

 

Bill Belichick, New England Patriots   

Is any explanation needed for the four-time Super Bowl winning head coach and general manager? Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history and has guided the Patriots to winning seasons even in the face of distraction. There’s no reason to think ‘deflate gate’ should be any different. Belichick’s most likely road of New England is retirement, not that it means he’ll walk away anytime soon.

 

Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks      

After two straight trips to the Super Bowl, Carroll has entered Belichick-level job security. The spry 63 year old has turned the Seahawks into a perennial contender out of the NFC West. There’s no reason to think the Seahawks take a step back without Dan Quinn in the fold, Quinn replaced Gus Bradley in 2013 seamlessly, and Kris Richard is expected to do the same for him. The former USC head coach has made the most of his third NFL stint with a 50-30 record since taking over the five-win Seahawks in 2010.
 

Safe

These coaches own well established track records of success in the NFL and can afford to have a down season before ownership even considers a change.

 

 Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals

Arians has done a masterful job in his first two years with the Cardinals, posting 21 wins. The team was also a legitimate Super Bowl contender prior to losing quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton to injury. The Cardinals could show signs of regression on defence with Bowles now in New York, but provided Palmer stays healthy, the Cardinals should be playoff team once again in 2015.

 

 John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

The Super Bowl XLVII winning head coach has reached the playoffs in seven of his eight years with the team, while never posting a losing record. He guided the team to a 10-6 record last season despite the Rice saga serving as a major distraction. In 2015, the Ravens once again own a dominant defence, but could suffer on the offensive side of the ball due to a lack of playmakers. That excuse alone should allow Harbaugh to rest comfortably in his ninth year as head coach.

 

 Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions

Caldwell enjoyed a successful first year in the Motor City after inheriting a notably undisciplined team from Jim Schwartz. The Lions went 11-5 to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and were a questionable pass interference call away from defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. Caldwell lost his top defender, Ndamukong Suh, to free agency in the offseason, but the Lions still remain a contender and Caldwell remains firmly locked in his place.

 

 Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

Though he is far from the hot seat, McCarthy’s untouchable status has declined slightly after the team’s collapse against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. McCarthy has used this offseason to become a more complete head coach, relinquishing his play-calling duties to spend more time to focus on defence and special teams – both made costly errors in January. If the team should struggle in 2015, the injury to Jordy Nelson will be an easy excuse, while defensive coordinator Dom Capers is one possible scape goat.

 

 Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys

Garrett entered the 2014 season on the hot seat with an expiring contract. Yet, after a 12-4 season, Garrett was rewarded with a new contract and new sense of security. There’s a good chance the sixth-year head coach needs it after losing star running back DeMarco Murray in free agency. If the Cowboys miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five full seasons under Garrett, the former quarterback will enter the 2016 season with his seat heating up once again.

 

 Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans

Considering the team was forced to use four different quarterbacks, O’Brien’s first year in Houston can largely be viewed as a success. In year two, O’Brien is set to receive a boost to his already stacked defence with the addition of Vince Wilfork and the return of Jadeveon Clowney, the top pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. Yet, O’Brien was brought in to focus on offence and the team still has major questions on that side of the ball. The loss of Andre Johnson to the Colts and injury to Arian Foster could further expose the team’s poor quarterback play. If the team struggles this season, look for a quarterback to take the fall while the Texans look to find one of O’Brien’s choosing.

 

 Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Reid led the Chiefs to an 11-5 record in his first season with the team, but saw the year end with an embarrassing postseason collapse against the Indianapolis Colts. The team regressed slightly in 2014, posting a 9-7 record and falling short of the playoffs. Reid’s offence struggled to produce last season, especially in the passing game; not one wide receiver caught a touchdown pass. To improve, the Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin in the offseason to balance their offensive attack. Adding Maclin to a team that already has one the league’s top pass rushers in Justin Houston and running backs in Jamaal Charles, sets the Chiefs up as a playoff contender in 2015. Falling short of the playoffs this season will take Reid’s ‘safe’ status away from him.

 

 Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings

In Zimmer’s first year on the job, the Vikings lost their best player for the entire season after just one game and their starting quarterback after just three, yet the team still managed to finish a respectable 7-9. Now, Zimmer has found his franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson back in the fold and is building a defence dominate in the NFC North, led by first-rounders Anthony Barr and Trae Waynes. In his second year, Zimmer has made the Vikings a playoff contender, though falling short won’t cost him the job.

 

 Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are all-in on the “mad scientist” Kelly, handing him full roster control earlier this offseason. Kelly’s first two seasons at the pro level have largely been a success with consecutive 10 win seasons. The latter with backup Mark Sanchez thrust into the starting role. Now, Kelly has overhauled the Eagles roster, whether or not his experiment works remains to be seen. For the Eagles, it’s too late to turn back with Kelly. The future is in his hands.

 

 Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Just an offseason ago, Tomlin appeared to be on thin ice with the Steelers after consecutive 8-8 seasons. Yet, after an 11-5 record in 2014, Tomlin appears to be secure in his role with the Steelers. For the first time in his tenure with the Steelers, Tomlin will be working without Dick LeBeau as his defensive coordinator. Instead, former linebackers coach Keith Butler has promoted to the job and any criticism should fall to him in his transition. With one of the top offences in football under his control, Tomlin should have no problem keeping his job through 2015.

 

 Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers

McCoy’s first two seasons in San Diego have been a success. The team has posted back-to-back 9-7 records and reached the playoffs in 2013. McCoy saw his team’s offensive production dip in 2014, largely due to injuries, but he should be able to maximize the ability of rookie running back Melvin Gordon. The Chargers will face stiff competition from the Broncos and Chiefs in the AFC West, but a record at or near .500 should keep McCoy firmly entrenched as the head coach in San Diego.

 

 Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith’s first year in Tampa Bay was nothing short of a disaster. Yet, the former Bears coach will now get to start fresh with Jameis Winston at quarterback. The Buccaneers have a strong supporting cast around Winston, and though the offensive line remains a major concern, the offence should improve as a whole under offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. If the team struggles, Winston’s adjustment to the pro level will likely be to blame. If he shines, Smith’s job will be safer than ever.
 

Not Hot…Yet

A weak season for either of these coaches could place them firmly on the hot seat by Week 17.

Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers       

Riverboat Ron has an up and down career with the Panthers. After opening his tenure 13-19 with the team, Rivera appeared to enter the 2013 season firmly on the hot seat, his fate seemed all but sealed with a 1-3 start to the year before the Panthers finished at 12-4. Last season, Rivera again looked to be in trouble as the team sat 3-8-1 with four games remaining. A four-game winning streak secured the Panthers the NFC South and Rivera’s job. However, another sub-.500 season could be enough to end Rivera’s time in Carolina. He faces an uphill battle after the team lost receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the season with a torn ACL.

 

Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints    

Payton’s tenure with the Saints has largely been successful – he owns an 80-48 record with the team. Yet, after a disappointing 7-9 record last season, Payton could be one of bigger names to be let go this season if the Saints struggle again. The team is coming off of a monster roster overhaul, which saw stud tight end Jimmy Graham and speedster Kenny Stills traded away. Payton’s offences with the Saints have ranked in the top six in yards or higher since he took the job in 2006. Now, however, the team is set to focus on a run-heavy approach with Mark Ingram and CJ Spiller. If Payton fails to adjust, his time could be up in the Big Easy.
 

On the Hot Seat

A poor finish in 2015 by any of these coaches will likely be their demise.

 

 Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

Lewis has guided the Bengals to a 40-23-1 record over the past four seasons with four straight postseason appearances. So why is Lewis on this list? The Bengals are the first team in NFL history to make four straight opening round exits from the playoffs, while Lewis owns a career 0-6 postseason record. The Bengals once again field a talented team in 2015, and falling short of playoff success will likely lead to Lewis being fired after 13 years on the job.

 

 Mike Pettine, Cleveland Browns

Pettine coached the Browns to their best record since 2007 last season, albeit at 7-9. However, with that display of success Pettine’s job should be safe, given he coaches the league’s most dysfunctional franchise, it’s not. The Johnny Manziel experiment failed miserably in 2014 and, after Brian Hoyer ran to Houston, he will be waiting his turn behind Josh McCown this season. Jimmy Haslam has shown a lack of patience in his short tenure as owner, firing head coach Rob Chudzinski after just one season in 2013. Should the Browns regress from 7-9 in year two under Pettine, he could suffer the same fate.

 

 Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

Pagano, one of the most popular coaches in the NFL, has recorded three straight 11-5 wins since joining the Colts in 2012 – though Bruce Arians coached most of the 2012 season while Pagano battled cancer. In each season, the Colts have made it one step further in the playoffs than the last, reaching the AFC Championship in 2014. Despite all of this, media reports suggest Pagano enters 2015 on the hot seat due to a power struggle with general manager Ryan Grigson. An early playoff exit could quickly spell the end for Pagano, who is coaching in the final year of his contract.

 

 Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bradley hasn’t been handed a ton of talent during his time in Jacksonville, but also he hasn’t been able to produce a result better than 4-12 through two years. Entering his third season in Florida, Bradley has his quarterback of the future in Blake Bortles and a wide receiver core loaded with young talent. On defence, Bradley’s specialty, the team has a far less optimistic outlook. The team’s top draft pick, Dante Fowler Jr., tore his ACL in his first practice with the team and defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks is still returning from a Week 17 knee injury. Though the roster doesn’t breed promise, the Jaguars may feel the need to move on from Bradley if the season yields yet another top-five draft pick.

 

 Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

Coughlin is facing a make or break season in the Big Apple after missing the playoffs in the previous three seasons since winning Super Bowl XLVI. The Giants finished 6-10 last season, equaling their worst mark since the 69-year-old took the role 2004. As a two-time Super Bowl winner, Coughlin was given the benefit of doubt from the Giants ownership to return the team to winning ways in 2015. Falling short will almost definitely result in a pink slip.

 

 Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

Philbin appeared to narrowly escape packing his bag last season, when the Dolphins limped to an 8-8 record with three losses in their final four games. Now, Philbin faces what could be a playoffs or bust attitude in Miami after a strong offseason from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the signing of the off-season’s top free agent, Ndamukong Suh. Whether Philbin can rally the team into a winner remains to be seen, to date the 54-year-old’s time with the Dolphins is best known for the 2013 bullying scandal. A failure to cross .500 mark for the first time should result in his exit from the head coaching ranks.

 

 Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams 

Entering his fourth year with the Rams, Fisher is running out of time to start winning. Since taking over in 2012, Fisher owns a 20-27-1 record with the team, while the Rams’ six win total last season was his lowest in the three years. Sam Bradford has been traded to the Eagles and Nick Foles is now tasked with taking over. Fisher will likely have to sink or swim with Foles on offence and hope his defence can continue to dominate offensive lines. The Rams fired Steve Spagnuolo after three losing seasons before hiring Fisher, will their patience run out after four this time around?

 

 Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins

According to media reports, Gruden went against upper management in his decision to start Kirk Cousins this season. If true, Gruden’s future may become tied to the success of Cousins in his first year. If Cousins fails, owner Dan Snyder may look to find a coach who believes in Robert Griffin III for the quarterback’s final year under contract. If Cousins thrives, he will be rewarded with a new contract in 2016, while Gruden will be rewarded with security.

 

 Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee Titans

Whisenhunt’s first year with the Titans could not have gone much worse. The team finished 2-14 and ranked in the bottom five both offensively and defensively in both yards and points. The Titans picked the top quarterback left on the board in May’s Draft in Marcus Mariota, yet Whisenhunt has no history working with a mobile quarterback. He’ll get the first chance to coach Mariota, but if he fails, the Titans may look for a coach better suited to Mariota’s style.