NFL Hot Seat: Jim Harbaugh At The Breaking Point

Just a month remains until NFL teams start putting head coaches on the chopping block.  Who is on the fast track to heading out the door?

Rex Ryan – New York Jets

Word leaked out recently that it was rumored Rex Ryan actually heard GM John Idzik planned to replace him even before the 2014 season began.  That might explain why the New York Jets floundered and Ryan hasn’t really been himself.  Either way, given the teams’ record it’s hard to imagine him returning next season.  They need a reboot and Idzik will likely seek out his own guy.

Seat:  Gone

Marc Trestman – Chicago Bears

Never mind the fact that for the first time in five years the Chicago Bears will likely finish with a losing record.  The true nature of the failings of second-year coach Marc Trestman are in his clear inability to keep his team competitive in games.  Five of the seven losses they have suffered in 2014 have been by double digit points.  Trestman seems unable to make adequate adjustments or inspire any sort of pride in his players.  As a head coach, that is a cardinal sin.

Seat:  Scorching

Mike Smith – Atlanta Falcons

The only reason Mike Smith isn’t on the fast track to losing his job already is because the NFC South is such a terrible division.  The Atlanta Falcons remain in the hunt for the title despite an appalling gaffe of clock management on Smith’s part that resulted in a loss at home to the Cleveland Browns.  That loss would’ve buried him in a normal season but if Atlanta somehow makes the playoffs, it will be forgotten.

Seat:  Hot

Jim Harbaugh – San Francisco 49ers

It seems so strange that after the success the team has enjoyed the past three seasons that the San Francisco 49ers are anxious to unload head coach Jim Harbaugh at the first sign of trouble.  Yet that is the rumor, what with the plan to either trade or fire him in favor of respected defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.  Based on how things are looking, unless the 49ers can rally down the stretch, it’s almost a given that Harbaugh will be out if they don’t make the playoffs.

Seat:  Hot