All 32 NFL head coaches who started the season are still clocking in, a surprising fact considering some of the absolutely brutal starts teams are having. But don’t expect that to last much longer. With bye weeks looming, patience is wearing thin, and several coaches are staring down an unrecoverable downward spiral, knowing their time is almost up. Owners are definitely thinking about who’s on the chopping block after this rough first month.
DeMeco Ryans’ Texans Hit Rock Bottom
DeMeco Ryans’ Texans are a mess. His first three years in Houston saw double-digit wins and at least one playoff victory annually, yet they still managed to come off as underachievers. Now, the bottom has completely fallen out. The defense, once league-best, has regressed hard. QB C.J. Stroud has been stuck in neutral since his rookie year. They still can’t score points. And the worst part: they’re sitting at a dismal 0-4 record. Pushing out the 42-year-old Ryans would feel harsh, and he’s probably more likely to make some major staff changes first. But Houston’s window with a promising quarterback on a rookie contract is closing fast. Whether they find a new QB or give Stroud a monster deal, don’t be shocked if they start thinking about a coach who can actually make that investment pay off.
Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers: A Sinking Ship
You thought the Texans were bad? Jim Harbaugh’s team might be even worse. It’s hard to imagine a more disastrous start to a season. Justin Herbert, the cornerstone of that franchise, is regressing under Harbaugh’s watch. They brought in high-profile offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to spark Herbert, and it looks like a terrible, terrible match. Harbaugh’s influence on personnel picks isn’t helping either. His offensive line is still a mess, receivers can’t catch a cold, and the defense looks totally different now that DC Jesse Minter is gone. Honestly, their 0-4 record probably understates just how bad they are. Harbaugh looks like a deer in the headlights in press conferences, clearly out of answers. He’s still got two years and about $32 million left on his deal after this season, and yeah, he did go 11-6 in his first two years. But check out their upcoming schedule: an 0-9 start isn’t out of the question. Owner Dean Spanos has to be wondering if the 62-year-old coach can even turn this sinking ship around.
Matt LaFleur was on the hot seat last year when his Packers, loaded with Super Bowl expectations, stumbled to a 9-7-1 record and blew a wild-card game at Chicago. Apparently, that was good enough for the Packers’ ownership board to grant him a contract extension. That move pretty much screams he’s not going anywhere, again. Some guys have all the luck, or at least, job security that others can only dream of right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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