The Quick Report

NFL Head Coaching Shake-Ups: Who’s Out and Who’s Staying?

As we head towards the 2024-2025 NFL playoffs, the annual coaching carousel is in full swing. Teams across the league are making bold decisions about their leadership, and several big names have found themselves packing up their offices. 

Here’s a look at the latest updates on who’s staying, who’s been shown the door, and what’s still up in the air.

Jerod Mayo — Fired

Jerod Mayo
Openverse

Jerod Mayo was fired as the head coach of the New England Patriots after just one season. While it’s slightly surprising to see owner Robert Kraft give him the boot after such a short time, the organization clearly believes it needs to go in a different direction. Will that direction be former Patriots player Mike Vrabel? Time will tell.

Matt Eberflus — Fired

Wikipedia

Matt Eberflus got fired as the Chicago Bears head coach following an absolutely disastrous Thanksgiving Day performance, but it really wasn’t all that shocking. The Bears have struggled for a long time and Eberflus has done very little to show he’s worthy of being an NFL head coach.

Doug Pederson — Fired

Doug Pederson
Openverse

Being a Super Bowl-winning coach wasn’t enough to keep Doug Pederson as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Jaguars did have a very disappointing season, one has to wonder if Pederson is really to blame.

Mike McDaniel — Staying

Mike McDaniel
Openverse

Despite not making the playoffs this season, the Dolphins organization made it very clear they’re sticking with head coach Mike McDaniel. While he’ll probably be on a much shorter leash next year, McDaniel has proven he’s a solid coach and deserves another season to turn things around. 

Antonio Pierce — Fired

Antonio Pierce
Openverse

Antonio Pierce’s one year as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders didn’t do enough to convince management of his long-term potential. Despite flashes of promise, the team will look elsewhere for stability.

Read More: 10 2024 NFL Coaches Most Likely to Get Fired

Robert Saleh — Fired

Robert Saleh
Openverse

Robert Saleh was fired very early into the New York Jets’ season, but it’s become abundantly clear in recent weeks that he was not the franchise’s biggest problem. Will the team end up regretting their decision to sack him so early? Perhaps. 

Read More: Every NFL Quarterback-Coach Duo, Ranked From Worst To Best

Mike McCarthy — TBD

Mike McCarthy
Openverse

Mike McCarthy’s fate hangs in the balance as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has yet to reveal the team’s plans for the future. While his tenure has seen moments of brilliance, questions remain about his ability to take the team to the next level. 

Read More: Ranking the NFC NFL Coaches From Worst to Best This Season

Kevin Stefanski — Staying

Kevin Stefanski
Openverse

After steering the Cleveland Browns through a challenging season, Kevin Stefanski will remain at the helm. Stefanski has had solid seasons in the past, so it’s easy to see why ownership is giving him another opportunity. 

Read More: Every NFL Head Coach, Ranked from Worst to Best

Dennis Allen — Fired

Dennis Allen
New Orleans Saints on YouTube

Dennis Allen was fired as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints earlier in the season, but the team really didn’t improve under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.

Read More: Ranking the AFC NFL Coaches From Worst to Best This Season

Brian Daboll — Staying

Brian Daboll
Openverse

This has to be the most shocking decision out of the bunch. After a truly brutal season as the head coach of the New York Giants, Brian Daboll will be staying on for another year. It’s clear the Giants organization blames their quarterback woes for all their losses this season, not the coaching staff.

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