The proverbial first shoe dropped in the NFL head coaching carousel when the New York Jets fired Robert Saleh last week.
After Week 6 brought several more lackluster — and some blowout — losses by other highly disappointing teams, the seats have become increasingly hot under several other coaches.
The leading “candidate” to be the next coach fired is Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson, who is the odds-on favorite at -140 by SportsBetting.ag. The Jaguars, a preseason pick by many analysts to be a contender in the AFC, fell to 1-5 following a 19-point loss to the Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday.
The book is offering odds on 17 candidates, although it’s a small group that is reasonably facing potential pink slips in the near future.
NEXT NFL COACH FIRED ODDS*
Doug Pederson, Jaguars (-140)
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys (+400)
Kevin Stefanski, Browns (+550)
Antonio Pierce, Raiders (+600)
Zac Taylor, Bengals (+900)
Dennis Allen, Saints (+1600)
Nick Sirianni, Eagles (+1800)
Brian Daboll, Giants (+2000)
Brian Callahan, Titans (+3300)
Jerod Mayo, Patriots (+4500)
Matt Eberflus, Bears (+5000)
Shane Steichen, Colts (+5000)
Sean McVay, Rams (+5000)
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins (+5000)
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers (+6600)
Sean Payton, Broncos (+7500)
Dave Canales, Cardinals (+10000)
*SportsBetting.ag odds provided for entertainment purposes only.
Pederson said Monday that he doesn’t believe a coaching change is what’s needed for Jacksonville to turn its season around. He likely has another week to prove as much to owner Shad Khan with the Jaguars staying in London ahead of next weekend’s game against the New England Patriots (1-5). Khan gave Pederson a vote of confidence last week — before the 35-16 loss to the Bears.
The Jaguars are already on the brink of being out of the AFC playoff picture, and the road doesn’t get any easier when they return to the United States. They’ll play the Green Bay Packers (4-2) on Oct. 27, at Philadelphia (currently 3-2) in a primetime game on Nov. 3, undefeated Minnesota (5-0) on Nov. 10 and at the Detroit Lions (4-1) on Nov. 17 before Jacksonville’s bye in Week 12. On the other side is AFC South-leading Houston (5-1) on Dec. 1.
JERRY STAYING THE COURSE?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insisted he isn’t considering a coach change after Dallas was embarrassed 47-9 at home by Detroit on Sunday — his 82nd birthday.
“I’m not considering that. Just so you’re clear, I’m not considering that,” Jones said Sunday night.
At 3-3 entering the bye week, the Cowboys are winless at home and 3-0 on the road to sit in third place in the NFC East behind the Washington Commanders (4-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (3-2). Eleven NFC teams have three or more wins but Dallas has allowed 168 points for a score differential of minus-42. In the conference, that’s 15th out of 16 teams and better than only the 1-5 Carolina Panthers (203 points allowed).
The Cowboys expect to get injured All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) and Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) back after their bye, with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) recovering on injured reserve.
CLEVELAND CONUNDRUM
Like Jacksonville, Cleveland was a popular preseason pick to give Kansas City and Buffalo a serious run in the AFC. Powered by last season’s stout defense and offseason additions that included wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, expectations were sky high.
However, the Browns are now also 1-5 after dropping their fourth consecutive game on Sunday. Cleveland has a minus-46 point differential, and there are calls for quarterback Deshaun Watson and his $230 million guaranteed contract to be benched.
Stefanski also finds himself on the hot seat just four months after signing a contract extension, and eight months after winning his second NFL Coach of the Year honor.
Cleveland does have an opportunity to right its ship, with three consecutive home games coming up. It begins Sunday with the Browns opening their AFC North slate against Cincinnati (2-4), and with the expectation of running back Nick Chubb returning to the lineup.
“The chance is there, the opportunity is there,” Watson said Sunday. “We’ve just got to take it one week at a time and just try to find a different way.”
