2016 NFL Season: Three Coaches Share Spot on Hot Seat

One top of discussion every year is which head coaches face the most pressing situation to win.  The list for the 2016 NFL season may already be set.

That became clear when NFL.com listed three names out of nine total for who is under the most pressure to perform.  For some it might mean a winning record but most often it comes down to one word:  playoffs.  If they make it, they’re safe.  If they don’t?  Everybody knows what’s going to happen.  Well everybody except the people in Cincinnati apparently.

Here is who should be feeling the most pressure.

Rex Ryan (Buffalo Bills)

"“After only one year in Buffalo, the bloom is officially off the rose for this braggadocious head coach. As we guaranteed, Rex’s act wore thin as the Bills finished 8-8 and failed to deliver on his expectations of making the playoffs. Ryan’s poor in-game management and losses to inferior teams were often on display in Year 1.”"

Jeff Fisher (Los Angeles Rams)

"“It’s rather remarkable that Fisher still has a job. Mr. 8-8 hasn’t even achieved mediocrity in his four subpar seasons with the Rams. With rookie Jared Goff being the Rams’ presumable starter at quarterback, this will be a tough task.On top of that, the team is in Los Angeles, where the spotlight is brighter.”"

Gus Bradley (Jacksonville Jaguars)

"“Jacksonville cleaned up this offseason. They are ready to show major improvement under a likeable Bradley, but likeability only gets you so far.However, the Jags do have a few things going for them. They have a budding passing attack with Blake Bortles and the receiving tandem of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. They have new playmakers on defense — picking up uber-talented Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack in the draft, signing Malik Jackson in free agency, and getting back their 2015 top draft pick, Dante Fowler Jr.This all sounds great and definitely shows promise, but Bradley and Co. must show significant improvement from their 5-11 record one year ago. If he can’t, a new coach will likely be asked to right the ship.”"

All worthy candidates, but another name that should probably be included on the list is Jim Caldwell.  This was a man who led the Detroit Lions to the playoffs in 2014 only to see that strong team fall into an early rut that ruined them last year, resulting in a 7-9 finish.  The team owner has since passed away and his widow is now in charge.  She in turn has hired a new GM, who has decided to keep Caldwell on for the time being but like anybody new to a job may have his own ideas about how things should be run.

No doubt there are plenty of men who could be searching for work next January if they don’t get it done this year.