NFL coach hot seat rankings: Dan Quinn, Brian Schottenheimer among head coaches most likely to be fired

Ten NFL teams (31 percent of the league) made head-coaching changes for the 2026 season. What teams are most likely to join them in firing coaches in 2027?

Given the turnover at that position year after year, there are several coaches on the hot seat needing to produce better winning results or accept their firing fate, either during or after the season.

Here's a look at the six coaches under the most pressure to start the season: 

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NFL coaches on the hottest seats for 2026

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Dan Quinn, Commanders

Why so hot? Quinn led the Commanders to a 12-5 record during his first season. But after Washington made it to the NFC Championship Game coming out of 2024 with an aging veteran corps, the team tumbled back down to 5-12. The vibes with rookie QB Jayden Daniels flipped to an injury-riddled mess and Quinn's defense started to show a lot more holes. Like Glenn, he changed both of his coordinators, with Daronte Jones calling plays on defense (replacing Joe Whitt Jr.) and David Blough leading the offense (replacing Kliff Kingsbury).

How he can cool off: The Commanders need to push their win total back up near .500 or above with a fully healthy Daniels responding well to Blough and some adjusted offensive skill personnel. The defense needs more production with Odafe Oweh now leading the pass rush and rookie Sonny Styles as the needed playmaking linebacker. Quinn and Jones must see some impact on that side as part of some real rebound results.

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Aaron Glenn, Jets

Why so hot? Glenn was given a reprieve after a 3-14 season, but there was still significant change with a new offensive coordinator (Frank Reich, replacing Tanner Engstrand) and a new defensive coordinator (Brian Duker, replacing Steve Wilks). The Jets already went back to Geno Smith to give them a veteran bridge starting QB. W

With those adjustments, more will be expected after a two-game dropoff in record for 2025. Glenn was fortunate to survive the second-year disaster and a third-year without real improvement in long enough to say the Jets need to start over again.

How he can cool off: Glenn needs to hope the revamped offense shows some more competent and balanced results with Smith being helped by Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and recent first-round talent. Handing the defense to Duker also needs to show some of the pieces coming together better. An opening victory in a winnable game at Tennessee vs. former Jets coach Robert Saleh would be a big early help.

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Todd Bowles, Buccaneers

Why so hot? Bowles is going into his fifth season as the successor to Super Bowl-winning coach Bruce Arians. His record is an average 35-33 and his team fell out of the NFC South title spot and playoffs at 8-9. Bowles was great leading a loaded defense as Arians' coordinator, but that side is now close to rebuilding. He has also seen a revolving door at offensive coordinator with Zac Robinson being the fourth in four seasons. The Bucs have contended with Baker Mayfield but it's headed in the wrong direction.

How he can cool off: Tampa Bay has the talent overall to win a weak NFC South and it might require Bowles' team at least taking back the division crown with a winning record to save his job. That's a lot of pressure and there's probably more to the point the Buccaneers need to be a bigger factor in the playoffs. With Mayfield at a career crossroads despite his contract extension and Bowles' uncertain future, big changes may be in store for the '27 Bucs.

Shane Steichen, Colts

Why so hot? The Colts fell from 8-2 to 8-9 after losing their final seven games last season. Losing quarterback Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles' late in his breakout first year in Indianapolis was a blow, but the whole team went into the tank. The Colts went from surprise AFC contenders to third place in the South. They need to restore some of that first-half mojo early this season with a healthy Jones.

How he can cool off: Indianapolis has a rough early schedule with Baltimore, Kansas City and Houston in the first three games, not boding well for a hot start the team needs. The Colts, with an involved owner in Carlie Irsay-Gordon, wouldn't be past moving on from Steichen during the middle of the season if they begin 0-for-September. The Colts may not have the pieces to get it done, putting Steichen in the line of fire right with GM Chris Ballard.

Zac Taylor, Bengals

Why so hot? The Bengals are tied to Taylor's contract through the 2027 season with the extension he got following their losing run to Super Bowl 56, but if the results are disappointing again, they could prefer a one-year buyout vs. sticking with Taylor. The Bengals have gone three seasons without making the playoffs, posting a 24-27 record since 2023.

How he can cool off: Five years after a conference championship, Cincinnati needs to get back in overdrive offensively with Taylor calling the plays for a healthy Joe Burrow. The defense also has been rebooted a bit to be more complementary. A high-scoring playoff team with at least a wild card from the AFC North is critical.

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Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys

Why so hot? Dallas went 7-9-1 in Schottenheimer's first season. The Cowboys had an explosive passing offense near the league's best with Dak Prescott dealing to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. They also found a solid running option with Javonte Williams. But the consistency wasn't there overall, with not enough complementary football for a shaky defense. Jerry Jones promoted Schottenheimer to extend some of the positives from the Mike McCarthy era, but there will be some real playoff expectations this season.

How he can cool off: The Cowboys are buzzy sneaky NFC contenders if newcomer Christian Parker can boost the defense into a respectable unit to help the offense with big plays of its own. Dallas teased some turning of the corner with second-half wins over Philadelphia and Kansas City. Dak Prescott having a big MVP-like season would help Schottenheimer's chances. Opening with back-to-back division wins over the weaker Giants and Commanders would be a good start in lowering the heat. The Cowboys need more breakthrough wins to break .500 with at least a wild card being a resaonable goal.