Remember that feeling when your fantasy football team just refuses to show up? You tinker with the lineup, beg for a miracle, and finally—you rage-drop the kicker out of pure spite. That’s basically what happens in the NFL, except instead of a kicker, you drop a whole head coach. And this season, the league office has been busier than a Thanksgiving turkey carver.
So, you’re probably wondering: which NFL teams have fired their head coach this year? Buckle up, because the list is longer than a Tom Brady retirement saga. We’re talking a full-on coaching carousel that’s spinning faster than a dervish on espresso.
The Early Birds: When the Honeymoon Went Sour
First up, the New York Jets—because of course. They fired Robert Saleh in October after a 2-3 start. Two and three! In New York, that’s apparently a fireable offense, especially when your quarterback is still figuring out how to wear a headset. The team looked lifeless, and owner Woody Johnson decided he’d rather watch grass grow than another Saleh press conference.
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Then there’s the Carolina Panthers. They showed Matt Rhule the door last year, but this season they took it a step further. After a 1-5 start, they canned Frank Reich faster than you can say “Baker Mayfield.” It’s almost a tradition in Carolina now—hire a coach, give him a few games, then panic like you’ve lost your car keys at a tailgate.
The Mid-Season Massacre: When Everything Falls Apart
The Las Vegas Raiders decided to join the party in November. They fired Josh McDaniels after a brutal 3-5 start. Yes, the same guy who was supposed to be the next Bill Belichick—turns out, he was just the next guy to get a cardboard box from the facility. The Raiders even let Dave Ziegler, their general manager, pack his bags too. Double the firing, double the fun—if your idea of fun is a franchise in shambles.
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Oh, and the Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t resist either. They axed Brandon Staley in December after the team’s defense looked like a sieve at a pasta factory. When you have Justin Herbert and still lose to the Raiders 63-21, someone’s head has to roll. Staley’s was the lucky winner.
Don’t forget the Washington Commanders. They fired Ron Rivera after a 4-13 season. Ouch. Rivera is a good guy, but in Washington, “good guy” doesn’t win you many games when your ownership changes faster than a D.C. traffic light.
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The Surprise Pink Slips: Wait, Really?
Now, here’s where it gets ironic. The Chicago Bears let go of Matt Eberflus in November—but only after a loss on a play that will haunt Bears fans for decades. Eberflus had been playing defense for his job all season, but when the offense fumbles the win away on the final snap, the coach is the one who pays. Talk about a scapegoat with a clipboard.
And the New England Patriots? They fired Bill Belichick—yes, that Bill Belichick. After 24 years and six Super Bowls, he walked the plank like it was a seafood buffet. The team was a mess, and owner Robert Kraft decided that sentimentality doesn’t win games. Even legends aren’t safe when your quarterback situation is a dumpster fire.
What Does This Tell Us?
Looking at this list, you might think NFL owners are just trigger-happy. But dig deeper: every single one of these teams had a losing record when the ax fell. The league has zero patience. You’re either winning, or you’re waiting for your Uber to pick you up from the parking lot. It’s a brutal business, and these coaches are the first to find out.
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And the funny part? Most of these teams will hire someone new, go through a “rebuilding year,” and then probably fire that guy too in two seasons. It’s like Groundhog Day, but everyone wears a headset and looks stressed.
The Human Side: It’s Just a Job, Right?
But let’s be real for a second. Behind all the headlines, these are people with families. Matt Rhule got $40 million to go away—so he’ll be fine. But guys like Brandon Staley? They spent years climbing the ladder, only to be fired on a Monday morning. It’s a reminder that even in the NFL, your job is never secure. Unless you’re Andy Reid, I guess.
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So, which team is next? The Dallas Cowboys might be sweating. Mike McCarthy’s seat is hotter than a July afternoon in Texas. And don’t look now, but the New Orleans Saints are flirting with mediocrity again. Stay tuned, folks.
For now, though, the coaching carousel has come to a rest. Eight teams. Eight firings. Count ‘em like a sad, football-shaped clock. And next year? We’ll do it all over again, because that’s the NFL way.
So tip your cap to the fired ones. They’ll be back—maybe as coordinators, maybe as TV analysts. Or maybe, just maybe, they’ll find a team that doesn’t have a habit of firing coaches during the pumpkin spice season. Yeah, right.