by Every NFL season brings drama. Players compete for championships. Fans cheer for their favorite teams.
But there’s another story happening on the sidelines.
NFL coaches are always under pressure. One bad season can cost them their job.
Being an NFL head coach sounds amazing. You get paid millions of dollars. You’re on TV every week. Fans know your name.
But here’s the truth: it’s one of the most stressful jobs in sports!
Owners want wins immediately. Fans expect championships. The media watch every decision.
If things go wrong, coaches get fired fast.
Every year, at least one coach loses his job. Sometimes five or six coaches get fired in one season!
Which NFL Coach Will Be the First One Fired in 2025?
As we enter the 2025 NFL season, several coaches are sitting on the “hot seat.” That means their jobs are in danger.
Fans and experts are already asking: Which NFL coach will be the first one fired in 2025?
The answer could surprise you. Or maybe it’s exactly who you think!
Let’s look at the coaches who might not make it through the entire season.
Why Do NFL Coaches Get Fired So Often?
NFL coaching jobs are never safe.
Even great coaches can lose their jobs if the team struggles.
Here are the main reasons coaches get fired:
Poor Performance:
- Losing too many games
- Missing the playoffs multiple years
- Embarrassing losses on national TV
Locker Room Problems:
- Players don’t respect the coach
- Team chemistry falls apart
- Star players demand changes
Injuries:
- Key players get hurt
- The team can’t compete without stars
- Coaches get blamed for bad luck
Bad Team Management:
- Poor play-calling decisions
- Clock management mistakes
- Not preparing the team properly
High Expectations:
- Owners spend money and want results
- Fans demand winning seasons
- The media creates pressure with criticism
Example from the Past:
In 2024, Robert Saleh was fired by the New York Jets in October. Dennis Allen lost his job with the New Orleans Saints in November.
Neither coach didn’t even finish the season!
This shows how quickly things can change in the NFL.
NFL Coaching Firings: The Numbers Don’t Lie
The NFL has become a league where coaches don’t last long.
Since 2015, at least five head coaches have been fired every single season.
Think about that! Five coaches losing their jobs EVERY year.
In the 2020s alone, 32 coaches have already been fired. That’s a lot of people losing their jobs!
Some teams fire coaches more than others:
Teams That Fire Coaches Often:
- Las Vegas Raiders – 14 coaches fired since 1970
- Arizona Cardinals – 14 coaches fired since 1970
- Cleveland Browns – Always changing coaches
- Washington Commanders – Constant turnover
Teams That Keep Coaches:
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Stick with their coaches
- New England Patriots – Stable leadership
- Kansas City Chiefs – Andy Reid has been there since 2013
The difference? Winning. Teams that win keep their coaches. Teams that lose fire them.
It’s that simple in the NFL!
Top Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2025
Here are the coaches most likely to be fired first in 2025:
| Coach Name | Team | Why They Might Get Fired | Recent Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Daboll | New York Giants | Back-to-back losing seasons, tough schedule | 3-14 in 2024 |
| Mike McDaniel | Miami Dolphins | Missed playoffs, team plateaued | 8-9 in 2024 |
| Shane Steichen | Indianapolis Colts | QB development failed, mediocre record | 17-17 overall |
| Zac Taylor | Cincinnati Bengals | Wasting Joe Burrow’s prime, close losses | 46-52-1 career |
| Kevin Stefanski | Cleveland Browns | Inconsistent results despite talent | Up and down seasons |
| Jonathan Gannon | Arizona Cardinals | Rebuilding is not showing progress | Weak roster |
Any of these coaches could be the first one fired in 2025! – News Source
Let’s look at each coach individually to understand why their jobs are in danger.
Brian Daboll: From Hero to Hot Seat
Brian Daboll’s story shows how fast things change in the NFL.
In 2022, Daboll was named NFL Coach of the Year! He took a struggling Giants team to the playoffs.
Everyone loved him. Giants fans were excited. The future looked bright.
But then everything fell apart.
The Giants had back-to-back losing seasons. In 2024, they finished 3-14. That’s awful!
Why Daboll Might Be First:
The Giants have a brutal schedule to start 2025. Six of their first eight games are against playoff teams from last year.
The other two games? They’re on the road in Dallas and New Orleans. Those aren’t easy wins either!
If the Giants start 0-8 or 1-7, Daboll might not make it to Halloween!
The Russell Wilson Experiment:
The Giants brought in Russell Wilson to help save the season. They also drafted rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
But neither option inspires confidence. Wilson is past his prime. Dart is unproven.
If the offense struggles early, ownership will lose patience fast.
Bottom Line: Daboll went from hero to zero in two years. He’s the favorite to be fired first.
Mike McDaniel: The Genius Losing His Magic
Mike McDaniel came to Miami with a big reputation.
Everyone called him an “offensive genius.” He was fun in press conferences. Fans loved his personality.
In his first two seasons, the Dolphins looked good. The offense was exciting to watch.
But in 2024, Miami missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Why McDaniel Might Be Fired:
The Dolphins haven’t taken the next step. They’re stuck being average.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa keeps getting hurt. When he’s out, the team falls apart.
Critics say McDaniel’s offense only works when everything is perfect. When things go wrong, he can’t adjust.
The AFC East Problem:
Miami plays in a tough division. The Buffalo Bills are always strong. The New York Jets have improved. Even the New England Patriots are getting better.
McDaniel doesn’t have much room for error. If Miami starts slow, he could be gone by midseason.
Bottom Line: The charm is wearing off. McDaniel needs wins or he’s out.
Shane Steichen: Colts Running Out of Patience
The Indianapolis Colts hired Shane Steichen in 2023 with high hopes.
They wanted him to develop young quarterback Anthony Richardson into a star.
Two years later, Richardson hasn’t improved much. The Colts are now starting Daniel Jones instead!
Why Steichen Is in Danger:
The Colts have gone 17-17 under Steichen. That’s exactly .500 – not good enough!
They’ve finished second in their division both years but missed the playoffs each time.
Close doesn’t count in the NFL. You either make the playoffs or you don’t.
The Anthony Richardson Problem:
Richardson was supposed to be the future. He has incredible talent, but keeps making mistakes.
Now the Colts are turning to Daniel Jones, who failed in New York. That’s not a good sign!
If the quarterback situation doesn’t improve, Steichen will take the blame.
Bottom Line: Two average seasons might be all Steichen gets. The Colts want results now.
Zac Taylor: Wasting Joe Burrow’s Prime Years
Zac Taylor has survived job-threatening situations before in Cincinnati.
But fans and ownership are losing patience fast.
The Problem:
The Bengals have Joe Burrow, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. They have Ja’Marr Chase, an elite receiver.
But they’ve missed the playoffs two straight years! Both seasons ended 9-8.
Taylor’s career record is 46-52-1. That’s below .500 for a coach with a superstar quarterback!
Seven Painful Losses:
In 2024, the Bengals lost seven games by a touchdown or less. They were so close to winning, but couldn’t finish.
Fans blame Taylor’s play-calling and clock management. They say he’s not good enough to coach a championship team.
Why Taylor Might Be First:
If the Bengals miss the playoffs again in 2025, Taylor is done. There’s no excuse for wasting Burrow’s best years.
Cincinnati fans are frustrated. They know their team should be better.
Bottom Line: Taylor has had too many chances. One more miss and he’s gone.
Many NFL coaches face incredible pressure because team ownership expects immediate results.
Speaking of team ownership and history, some NFL franchises have been around for over a century!
These historic teams have seen dozens of coaches come and go. Want to discover which NFL teams have the longest and richest traditions?
Check out our complete guide: Oldest Teams in the NFL — learn which franchises have been building legacies since the 1920s!
Kevin Stefanski and Jonathan Gannon: Still on Thin Ice
These two coaches aren’t the favorites to be fired first, but they’re definitely in danger.
Kevin Stefanski – Cleveland Browns:
Stefanski won Coach of the Year in 2020. That feels like a long time ago now.
The Browns have been inconsistent. Sometimes they look great. Other times, they look terrible.
Cleveland expects to compete in the tough AFC North division. If they fall short again, ownership might want a change.
Stefanski isn’t in immediate danger, but he needs to show progress.
Jonathan Gannon – Arizona Cardinals:
Gannon is coaching a rebuilding team in Arizona.
Expectations are low, but in the NFL, patience doesn’t last forever.
If the Cardinals don’t show improvement, Gannon could become the scapegoat.
Rebuilding teams need to see hope for the future. If that hope disappears, so does the coach.
Bottom Line: Both coaches need good seasons to secure their jobs long-term.
Why Being an NFL Coach Is So Tough?
People see the money and fame and think coaching is easy.
It’s not! Being an NFL head coach is incredibly stressful.
The Pressure Comes From Everywhere:
- Owners Demand Wins: They spend millions on players and want championships
- Fans Are Brutal: One bad game and fans want you fired
- Media Never Stops: Every decision gets analyzed on TV and social media
- Injuries Ruin Plans: Your best player gets hurt, and the season falls apart
- No Job Security: You could get fired mid-season without warning
The Emotional Toll:
Former coaches talk about how hard it is to get fired.
Lane Kiffin and Hue Jackson have shared their experiences. They describe:
- Sleepless nights worrying about the future
- Family disruptions and moving cities
- Feeling like a failure even though they tried their best
- Depression and anxiety after losing their job
The Financial Side:
Most coaching contracts are guaranteed. That means teams still owe the money even if they fire the coach.
So fired coaches still get paid millions. That helps, but it doesn’t take away the pain of losing your dream job.
For wealthy NFL teams, paying off one coach while hiring another is just part of doing business.
The Rare Teams That Stick With Their Coaches
Some NFL teams believe in stability.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best example. Mike Tomlin has been their head coach since 2007!
That’s 18 years with the same coach. It’s almost unheard of in today’s NFL.
Why Stability Matters:
- Players know the system and don’t have to keep learning new schemes
- The coach has time to build the team his way
- There’s no panic when one season goes bad
- Trust develops between the coach, players, and ownership
Other Stable Situations:
- Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs) – There since 2013
- John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) – There since 2008
- Sean McVay (LA Rams) – Has the team’s full support
These coaches have earned their security by winning. But they’re the exception, not the rule.
While great coaches can lead teams to victory, they also need great quarterbacks to execute the game plan.
Some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history played for multiple coaches and made them all look good!
Curious about which signal-callers became the absolute best in football history?
Explore our comprehensive ranking: Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time — from Montana’s perfection to Brady’s dominance, discover the QBs who made coaches successful!
What History Tells Us About 2025?
Since the 1970 NFL merger, 264 head coaches have been fired!
That’s an incredible number of people losing their jobs.
The rate of firings keeps increasing:
- In the 2010s: 58 coaches were fired (that’s almost six per year!)
- In the 2020s: Already 32 coaches will be fired by 2025
What Does This Mean?
It means coaching jobs are more unstable than ever. Teams don’t have patience anymore.
Owners want instant success. If they don’t get it, they fire the coach and try someone new.
The Pattern:
Almost always, the coach who gets fired first is someone whose team starts terribly.
If a team goes 0-4 or 1-5 to start the season, the coach is in serious trouble.
Based on history and schedules, Brian Daboll of the Giants is the most likely candidate.
But surprises happen every year!
Making the Prediction: Who Will Be First?
So, which NFL coach will be the first one fired in 2025?
Based on all the evidence, here’s the ranking:
Most Likely to Be Fired First:
- Brian Daboll (Giants) – Tough schedule, bad roster, no patience left
- Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) – Missed playoffs, questions about his system
- Shane Steichen (Colts) – Mediocre record, QB problems
Could Happen: 4. Zac Taylor (Bengals) – If they start poorly, he’s gone 5. Kevin Stefanski (Browns) – Needs to finally deliver 6. Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals) – Rebuilding could go wrong
The Wild Card:
Sometimes, a coach nobody expects gets fired! An injury to a star player can doom a season fast.
A locker room incident could force an owner’s hand. The NFL is unpredictable!
But if we had to pick one coach? It’s Brian Daboll. His situation in New York looks the worst.
Defense can make or break a coach’s season. A great defensive unit can win games even when the offense struggles, buying coaches more time.
Throughout NFL history, some defensive teams have been absolutely legendary. Want to see which defensive units dominated the league?
Dive into our detailed breakdown: Best NFL Defenses of All Time — from the Steel Curtain to the Legion of Boom, discover the defenses that made coaches look brilliant!
The Human Side of Coaching Firings
It’s easy to forget that coaches are human beings with families.
When a coach gets fired, it affects everyone:
The Coach:
- Loses his dream job
- Questions his abilities
- Worries about finding another opportunity
The Family:
- Might have to move to a new city
- Kids change schools
- Spouse finds a new job
- Everyone’s life gets disrupted
The Assistants:
- Usually get fired too when a head coach leaves
- They didn’t make the big decisions, but lose their jobs anyway
- Some have been with the coach for years
The Players:
- Have to learn a new system
- Build relationships with new coaches
- Adjust to different coaching styles
Firing a coach creates a ripple effect that touches many lives.
What Comes After Being Fired?
Most fired NFL coaches eventually get another chance.
Some become coordinators for other teams. Others take college coaching jobs. A few land another head coaching position.
Examples of Second Chances:
- Pete Carroll was fired by the Patriots, then became a legend in Seattle
- Andy Reid was fired by Philadelphia, then won Super Bowls in Kansas City
- Bill Belichick was fired by Cleveland, then became the greatest coach ever in New England
Getting fired doesn’t mean your career is over. It just means you need to reset and try again.
College football has produced many great coaches who went on to NFL success.
Some college programs are so dominant that their coaches become household names and get hired by NFL teams.
Speaking of dominant college programs, have you seen which college teams made history?
Check out our complete ranking: Greatest College Football Teams of All Time — from Nebraska’s dynasty to Alabama’s dominance, discover the college teams that produced future NFL coaches!
The Owner’s Perspective
Owners face tough decisions about firing coaches.
They’ve invested millions of dollars in the coach’s contract. They gave him control over the team.
But at the end of the day, owners care about one thing: winning.
What Owners Think About:
- Are we making the playoffs?
- Are fans buying tickets?
- Is the team showing improvement?
- Is this coach the right fit long-term?
If the answer to these questions is “no,” then the coach is in trouble.
Owners don’t enjoy firing people. But they’ll do it if they think it helps the team win.
What Fans Think About Coaching Changes?
NFL fans have strong opinions about their coaches!
When a team is losing, fans call into radio shows demanding that the coach be fired.
They create social media campaigns. They wear bags over their heads at games. They chant for change.
Fan Pressure Works:
Owners hear the fans. They see empty seats at the stadium. They notice declining TV ratings.
When fans turn on a coach, it’s hard for him to survive.
But sometimes fans are wrong! They want instant success and don’t understand that building a championship team takes time.
The Media’s Role in Coaching Hot Seats
Sports media loves talking about coaching hot seats.
TV shows debate which coach will be fired first. Writers rank coaches by job security. Podcasts analyze every decision.
This creates even more pressure on coaches.
Why Media Loves This Story:
- It’s dramatic and gets viewers
- Fans engage with the content
- There’s always something new to discuss
- Predictions can be proven right or wrong
Sometimes the media creates a narrative that becomes reality. If everyone says a coach is about to be fired, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What Would Save These Coaches?
Every coach on the hot seat can save his job. Here’s how:
For Brian Daboll:
- Win 8-9 games despite the tough schedule
- Show that rookie Jaxson Dart is developing
- Keep games close and competitive
For Mike McDaniel:
- Make the playoffs
- Keep Tua healthy all season
- Win important division games
For Shane Steichen:
- Get to 10 wins
- Show that Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson can succeed
- Win the AFC South division
For Zac Taylor:
- Make the playoffs (no excuses with Burrow and Chase)
- Win close games instead of losing them
- Show better clock management
For Others:
- Simply exceed expectations
- Show visible improvement
- Win games you’re supposed to lose
Winning solves everything in the NFL!
Final Thoughts: The Unpredictable NFL
The NFL is the most unpredictable league in sports.
Injuries happen. Upsets occur. Teams surprise us every year.
That’s why predicting which NFL coach will be the first one fired in 2025 is so difficult!
Brian Daboll seems like the most likely candidate. His situation in New York looks bad.
But maybe the Giants surprise everyone and start 4-0! Then Daboll looks like a genius again.
Or maybe a coach nobody is talking about right now has a disaster season and gets fired first.
What We Know for Sure:
Someone will be the first coach fired in 2025. History tells us that.
Multiple coaches will lose their jobs before the season ends.
And new coaches will get hired, bringing hope and excitement to their new teams.
That’s the cycle of the NFL. It never stops.
The Human Element:
Remember that behind every coaching decision are real people with families, dreams, and careers.
Coaching in the NFL is one of the toughest jobs in sports. The pressure is immense. The scrutiny is constant. The job security is nonexistent.
But for those who succeed? The rewards are incredible. Super Bowl rings. Legacy. Being remembered forever.
That’s why coaches keep taking these jobs even though they know the risks!
Follow NFL Coaching Drama All Season Long
The 2025 NFL season will be full of drama, surprises, and storylines.
Coaching changes are just one part of the excitement!
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Stay tuned to see which coach loses his job first in 2025. We’ll be covering it all season long!
Go football! 🏈
