Four highly anticipated and less tolerant NFL coaches see their jobs hanging in the balance with the coming season mere months away in 2025 due to recent slumps by their teams.
Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers
Performance:
Tomlin’s Steelers went 10–7 in 2024 but lost his sixth straight playoff game, a 28–14 wild-card matchup against the Ravens. Despite never having a losing season, Steelers legend Ryan Clark and others already wonder if Tomlin’s worth has “gone stale” and if being able to adjust to fit Aaron Rodgers is going to pay off.
Risk factors:
Coach Tomlin can be secure in his position, but back-to-back playoff failures and a stagnant offense put him on shaky ground if this signing does not translate to a Super Bowl push.
Mike McDaniel – Miami Dolphins
Performance:
McDaniel went 28–23 in his first three seasons: 9–8 (2022), 11–6 (2023), and backsliding to 8–9 (2024) and missing the playoffs. Owner Stephen Ross indicated that continuity is not an acceptable performance after the Dolphins ended with a disappointing 8–9.
Risk factors:
Despite a strong supporting cast, McDaniel is blamed for a failure to make timely offensive adjustments. PFF includes him in the league’s worst coaches, specifically in light of recent inconsistent play by Miami.
Zac Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals
Performance:
Taylor (46–52–1 in his first six seasons) led the Bengals to a Super Bowl and two Conference Championships without back-to-back playoff misses. Cincinnati has begun seasons slowly under Taylor (4–7 September mark in each of the last three seasons) – a main reason for recent playoff failures.
Risk factors:
With Joe Burrow and his top receivers, anything short of a playoff spot could usher in definitive change. Onlookers contend that Taylor’s inconsistency has overshadowed his previous success.
Brian Daboll – New York Giants
Performance:
Following a 9–7–1 playoff season in 2022, Daboll’s Giants fell to a 6–11 in 2023 and a terrible 3–14 in 2024. New York’s offense was league-worst in EPA/game and had a decade-worst 10-game losing skid.
Risk factors:
In spite of a reprieve, the expectations in 2025 are through the roof with fresh possibilities at QB. A second collapse would likely get Daboll and GM Joe Schoen fired.
Summary
All of these coaches face make-or-break seasons. Tomlin must employ Rodgers to break the playoff curse. McDaniel must revive the offense for Miami and win in the playoffs. Taylor must bring cohesiveness with a top-level roster. Daboll’s Giants must correct things in a hurry. If not in 2025, NFL front offices will act – and soon.
Works Cited
“Mike Tomlin on the hot seat? Coach, Steelers need to make drastic changes following historic collapse to end 2024.” CBS Sports, 12 Jan. 2025.
“Phinsider Question Of The Day: Is He The Guy Edition.” Phinsider, 11 June 2025.
“Mike Tomlin may be on the hot seat if Aaron Rodgers fails.” Sports Illustrated, 7 months ago.
“NFL Opinions Split on Eagles’ Tush Push at owners meetings.” NBC Chicago, 26 Mar. 2024.
“Top 5 NFL head coaches on the HOT seat entering the 2025 season.” PFF, May 2025.
“Ranking 5 coaches on the hot seat heading into the 2025 season.” CBS Sports, 3 weeks ago.
“Hot Seat Check for Every HC Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft.” Bleacher Report, 11 Apr. 2025.
“Mike McDaniel Makes Head Coach ‘Hot Seat’ List Ahead of 2025 NFL Season.” Yahoo Sports, 2 months ago.
“Mike McDaniel is on the HOT SEAT This Season.” Dolphins Wire, .
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“‘His voice has run stale’ – Mike Tomlin tipped to leave Pittsburgh Steelers …” The Sun, 15 May 2025.
“Shannon Sharpe fears Aaron Rodgers could get Mike Tomlin fired …” TalkSport, yesterday.