The NFL really lives up to its “Not For Long” moniker when it comes to coaches. Last year, a staggering 10 out of 32 head coaching jobs opened up, and if the early rumblings through just two weeks of this new season are any indication, we’re looking at a number closer to nine than zero this time around. More than a few seats are already getting unbelievably hot, some scorching to the touch, and one coach in particular is facing an immediate reckoning after a brutal start.
Indianapolis Is Already in Clean-Up Mode
We gotta start with Colts coach Shane Steichen, because the pressure on him is immense, and it’s been public for months. Team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon laid it all out after the 2025 season, making it crystal clear to both G.M. Chris Ballard and Steichen that “giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher.” Wow. Those are fighting words right there, and guess what? Through two weeks, the Colts are sitting at a brutal 0-2, absolutely winless. Their defense has been an absolute sieve, surrendering a staggering **more than 500 yards** not once, but in *each* of their first two matchups. Think about that for a second! Two weeks, two massive defensive failures, and an owner who already told you your job security was razor thin. It’s painfully obvious something has to change fast in Indianapolis, or that “housecleaning” Irsay-Gordon hinted at is going to become a reality quicker than anyone imagined.
Todd Bowles and the Bucs: A Freefall Nobody Expected
Next up on the hot seat list is Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, who has seen his team absolutely collapse. Remember back in 2025 when they kicked off the season with a solid 6-2 record? Feels like a lifetime ago, right? Because since then, the Buccaneers have gone a horrifying 2-11. That’s not just a slump; that’s a full-blown nosedive. Imagine the sheer agony and “angst” in the Glazer suite just last week, sitting there for two excruciating hours, waiting for a likely loss to the “lowly Browns” to officially become fact. The picture paints itself: a team unraveling, ownership fuming, and a coach losing control. For Bowles, a massive turnaround isn’t just hoped for; it’s an absolute, undeniable must. Anything less, and you know what’s coming.
It’s only Week 2, folks, but the NFL rarely waits for things to get better on their own. The struggles in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay are undeniable, screaming for drastic action. What changes are coming? How long will these teams hold out before pulling the trigger? For coaches like Shane Steichen and Todd Bowles, every snap from here on out is an audition, a fight to keep their jobs. The season is still young, but the clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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