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what nfl coaches will be fired

NFL teams have not yet officially announced all of their 2026 “Black Monday” coaching moves, so any list of “who will be fired” is speculative, not confirmed fact. Current reporting focuses on which coaches are on the hot seat and which surprisingly look likely to survive rather than clear, locked‑in firings.

Key context: hot seat vs. actually fired

  • NFL insiders are framing this coaching cycle as unusually unpredictable, with more “wait and see after evaluations” language than firm firing expectations.
  • Coverage centers on “hot seat” temperature (ownership frustration, losing records, locker room mood) rather than concrete leak‑backed firings for specific names.

Because of that, any attempt to say definitively “Coach X will be fired” crosses from informed analysis into guesswork.

Coaches most often labeled “on the hot seat”

Recent reporting and analysis repeatedly mention a cluster of head coaches as being under serious pressure, even if some are still described as more likely than not to stay.

Common hot‑seat names include:

  • Pete Carroll, Raiders – One‑and‑done risk after a 2–14 year and a long losing streak, with questions about whether the 74‑year‑old is a short‑term bridge.
  • Kevin Stefanski, Browns – Multiple losing seasons, the Deshaun Watson trade baggage, and another high draft pick have fueled speculation about his future.
  • Raheem Morris, Falcons – Record hovering around .500 but perceived regression and instability keep his job status under scrutiny.
  • Aaron Glenn, Jets – Rough first season with a bad record and struggling defense, yet multiple reports say ownership has signaled he is likely safe for now.
  • Todd Bowles, Buccaneers – Streaks of losses and questions about the team’s direction have put him in every hot‑seat roundup even as some insiders lean toward him being retained.
  • Established staples like John Harbaugh (Ravens) and Mike Tomlin (Steelers) – They have had unusually disappointing seasons and fan frustration flared, so they appear in “pressure” lists, but most reporting still frames them as more likely to remain than to be fired.

These names are better viewed as “high‑risk” situations rather than guaranteed firings.

What insiders are actually saying

Different outlets and reporters are signaling caution about a mass firing wave:

  • Some hot‑seat coaches (such as Aaron Glenn, Mike McDaniel, Todd Bowles, and Raheem Morris) are now described as more likely to get “another chance” than to be immediately dismissed, with ownership preferring continuity unless things completely fall apart.
  • There is emphasis on postseason evaluations and internal reviews, meaning decisions may come later and could go either way depending on ownership’s tolerance for another reboot.

So the vibe this year is less “bloodbath” and more “owners are nervous about constant churn but frustrated by results.”

Fan and forum speculation

Public forums and fan discussions lean into the question you’re asking—“who will be the surprise firing?”—and names like Stefanski, Bowles, and even some long‑tenured coaches get thrown around as possible shock exits.

But those posts:

  • Reflect fan frustration more than inside information.
  • Often ignore the financial and political cost of firing a coach early (paying out contracts, lack of obvious upgrades, owner loyalty).

They are useful for taking the temperature of a fanbase, not for predicting actual front‑office decisions.

Reality check: why a definitive list isn’t possible

Given what is publicly known:

  • No comprehensive, confirmed list of “coaches who will be fired” for this cycle exists yet; only partial lists of those already out and those rumored to be vulnerable.
  • Ownership decisions can swing in the final days based on late‑season performances, locker room exit interviews, and availability of preferred replacements.

So the honest answer to “what NFL coaches will be fired” is:

  • A few of the heavily discussed hot‑seat names above might lose their jobs.
  • Several others will survive despite noise around them.
  • Until teams issue official statements, anything more specific is just educated speculation.

Note: Information here reflects public reporting and forum chatter, not inside leaks, and coaching situations can change quickly around Black Monday each year.