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NFL Black Monday could be less dramatic than expected

By George Stockburger

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts between plays against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts between plays against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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How many head coaches could be gone on the NFL Black Monday

News came down Friday afternoon that the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers would retain their respective head coaches Jay Gruden and Dirk Koetter. Both were on the proverbial hot seat entering the final week of the NFL season, but will get one more opportunity.

In addition to Gruden and Koetter being given the thumbs up, the New York Jets handed head coach Todd Bowles an extension through the 2020 season.

The New York Giants were the first and thus far only team to change head coaches with Ben McAdoo being fired after a 2-10 record in his second season.

Indianapolis is expected to fire Chuck Pagano sitting at 3-12 without Andrew Luck, and the situation in Houston could push Bill O’Brien out despite the success Deshaun Watson showed.
Indianapolis is expected to fire Chuck Pagano sitting at 3-12 without Andrew Luck, and the situation in Houston could push Bill O’Brien out despite the success Deshaun Watson showed. /

Arizona head coach Bruce Arians and Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis could retire at seasons end, leaving those two jobs open.

Hue Jackson has won just one game in his two seasons with the Browns, but iwll a new general manager give him the benefit of the doubt?

Others on the hot seat include Oakland’s Jack Del Rio, Tennessee’s Mike Mularkey, Denver’s Vance Joseph, and Chicago’s John Fox.

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Eight jobs becoming available isn’t unusual, but it is on the higher end of the annual turnover. It’s certainly not the double-digit circus some expected with 14 potential jobs becoming available.

I find it unlikely Oakland fires Del Rio given Carr’s early comeback from injury and the loss of rookie Gareon Conley. Joseph is just in his first year and never had a stable quarterback situation. Fox was due to be fired last year, but could five wins and a rookie quarterback save him? Unlikely, in my opinion.

Next: The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

Look for Pagano, Arians, Lewis, Fox and potentially Mularkey to be out of a job on Monday, and for the Texans situation to only get worse.

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