Getty Images SportAs the 2024-25 NFL season nears its end, the pressure mounts for teams struggling to meet expectations.
While some franchises are gearing up for a playoff push, others are evaluating whether their current leadership can guide them to future success.
Several teams have also already made leadership changes in an attempt to salvage their season and are already set to have job
Here GOAL identifies five head coaches whose seats are scorching hot as the season winds down.
Getty Images SportDoug Pederson’s tenure in Jacksonville started with hope but has quickly spiraled into frustration. Once heralded for leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl in 2017, Pederson has struggled to replicate that magic with the Jaguars.
Despite aggressive spending in free agency, Jacksonville is staring at the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a stark contrast to their playoff aspirations. Pederson’s offense has remained stagnant, ranking in the twenties for the fifth time in six years, and his inability to unlock quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s potential has left fans and the front office disillusioned.
Lawrence, once seen as a franchise savior, has regressed under Pederson’s watch, turning into an inconsistent and overlooked talent. With the Jaguars mired in mediocrity at 3-11, a change in leadership feels imminent to maximize Lawrence’s window and reinvigorate the franchise.
Getty Images SportMatt Eberflus temporarily saved his job late in the 2023 season with an improved defense, but the goodwill didn’t last long. After another year of underwhelming results, Chicago finds itself at a crossroads.
The Bears’ offseason moves—including hiring offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, acquiring veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, and drafting WR Rome Odunze—have failed to pay off. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has shown flashes of brilliance but is often left scrambling behind a porous offensive line.
Even the team’s usually highly ranked defense (No. 7 in the NFL in Nov.) looks questionable, padded by performances against struggling opponents.
With eight straight losses and Williams unable to find consistency, the Bears seem poised to move on from Eberflus.
Chicago remains an attractive destination for coaching candidates eager to work with Williams, making this decision likely a matter of when, not if.
Getty Images SportMike McCarthy’s time in Dallas has been defined by regular-season success but repeated postseason disappointment. Winning 12 games in three straight seasons would be a notable achievement for most, but it’s not enough for Jerry Jones or the Cowboys faithful.
Injuries and a lack of roster improvements have derailed Dallas in 2024. At 6-8, with Dak Prescott sidelined for the rest of the season, the team’s focus has already shifted to rebuilding for 2025.
McCarthy's contract in Dallas is set to expire after the season which would make it easy to the team to begin a new chapter in the Cowboys’ search for a coach who can take them to the next level.
McCarthy’s legacy as a Super Bowl winning but underachiving coach is unlikely to change, and with Dallas always in the spotlight, it seems inevitable that Jones will look for a fresh face to lead America’s Team.
Getty Images SportBrian Daboll entered the 2024 season on shaky ground, and things haven’t improved for the Giants. After a promising start to his tenure in 2022, the team has backslid due to poor roster decisions and a lack of offensive firepower last season.
The Giants’ gamble to continue with Daniel Jones at quarterback has tremendously backfired, with the signal-caller now out of the picture and a free agent. Daboll’s offense has ranked near the bottom of the league for two consecutive seasons, and while the defense has shown flashes of improvement, it hasn’t been enough to compensate for the offensive struggles.
Ownership has historically been patient with coaches, but Daboll will need to convince the Maras he’s capable of developing the next franchise quarterback. If not, the Giants may choose to reset with a new leader to guide their rebuild.
Getty Images SportAntonio Pierce stepped into the head coaching role midseason after Josh McDaniels’ dismissal, but the honeymoon phase ended quickly. The Raiders have lost 10 straight games, with an offense averaging just 18.2 points and 303 yards per game during that stretch.
Despite shaking up the coaching staff and bringing in Norv Turner as a senior assistant, Pierce hasn’t been able to stabilize the franchise. Last month's reports of a player meeting in which coaches were called out only added to the turmoil.
Pierce was brought in to clean up the dysfunction within the locker room and restore credibility to the franchise, but the results haven’t followed.
Not only is time is running out for him to prove he can lead the Raiders back to relevance, but Tom Brady's first offseason as a part of ownership draws ever closer with the potential for massive changes.