Which NFL coaches are on the hot seat in 2019?

The start of the 2019 NFL season is still roughly seven months away as teams have begun their off-season preparation to prepare for the long NFL Schedule. While we all have to wait to see how the moves through the NFL draft and free agency will impact an organization, the debate can be started on which NFL head coaches might be on the hot seat during the upcoming season.

The 2019 list of NFL head coaches on the hot list could be short with a long list of new head coaches who have taken over teams over the past few seasons, the list still could include a solid list of options.

Which coaches stood out in 2018?

During the 2018 NFL season we saw a wide range of names land on the head coaching hot seat list. The list included guys like Adam Gase, Marvin Lewis who both made it until the end of the season. The list also include guys like Hue Jackson and Mike McCarthy who both lost their jobs during the season. Then you have a guy like Jim Harbaugh, who managed to insert rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson into the starting lineup, make a playoff run before landing a new long term gig.

Who are those at risk?

While Harbaugh will be safe, a new list of head coaches will land on the hot seat during the 2019 NFL season. Here are a few head coaches who could or will be on the hot seat in 2019:

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Tomlin, who took over the head coaching gig during the 2017 NFL season, has posted a 125-66-1 record since taking over including eight trips in 12 seasons. That success included six first place finishes in the AFC North, two trips to the Super Bowl and a third loss in the AFC Championship game. Despite that success the Steelers locker room was filled with drama during the 2018 NFL season that included player feuds between Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell electing to skip the entire season and JuJu Smith-Schuster calling the team the “Kardashians” of the NFL. A slow start or finish during the 2019 NFL season could have Tomlin on the way out in Pittsburgh.

Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins

Despite the hype around Gruden before taking over during the 2014 NFL season, the success has not shown up. In five seasons, the Redskins have posted a 35-44-1 record, whilst making the playoffs just once during the 2015 NFL season with a 9-7 record. The team would also post a winning record during the 2016 NFL season (8-7-1) but failed to make the playoffs. Now, after back to back 7-9 seasons, Gruden could be on his way out DC early in 2019 if the team fails to succeed early.

Doug Marrone, Jacksonville

After a successful 2017 NFL season, the Jaguars might have been the biggest disappointment during the 2018 NFL season after failing to post a winning record or make the playoffs, despite a roster filled with talent. The team is currently above the salary cap project numbered, which could lead to a heavy haul of players being released or traded over the next few weeks. This could make coaching this year a challenge and another losing season could have the Jaguars front office looking to go younger and with a new head coach if the team elects to rebuild during the 2020 season.

Other coaches on the hot seat could include Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings.

Featured Image Credit: “Tomlin” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by Brook-Ward