NFL Head Coach Hot Seat: Vance Joseph starting to sweat

DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 14: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos stands on the field during the National Anthem before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The NFL head coach hot seat has some new names worth mentioning on it this week, including one that a lot of people might be surprised by.

This past stretch of games was oddly favorable for many of the previous occupants on the list, allowing them to slip off the seat for the time being. However, a number of them only felt the fire intensify. Nobody is in danger of being fired midseason yet, but there are a few who could head that way if they don’t stop the slides their teams are going through. Here are the names who should probably be worrying the most.

HOT

Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos)

After winning his first two games of the season, things have fallen apart fast for Joseph. He was already under the microscope coming into this season, expected to get the team back into a competitive spot in the AFC. Instead they’re losers of four-straight capped by a defeat at the hands of the Rams that wasn’t as close as the score may indicate. If he can’t somehow stabilize this collapse one can bet John Elway won’t be afraid to send him packing.

Dirk Koetter (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

He may have been initially promoted to elevate Jameis Winston but Koetter is the head coach. His job is to win. After a 2-0 start, his team has now lost three straight. The defense is falling apart. Nothing has gone right. Koetter already may have lost a shot at the division and with key losses to Atlanta and Chicago, the odds for a wild card are fading as well. If he doesn’t make the playoffs, he’ll likely be kicked to the curb.

Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns)

More from NFL Mocks

Ironically it may not end up being the losing that finally gets Jackson fired in Cleveland, even though it should. It will be his handling of Baker Mayfield at quarterback. After a strong start, the #1 pick has now been sacked 10 times over the past two games. That is not a sustainable rate for anybody and it’s Jackson’s play calling that is playing a part with his stubborn refusal to consistently commit to the ground game and protect his young QB.

WARMING UP

Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)

Again and again, Lewis just can’t seem to solve the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve been the bane of his existence since he took over the Bengals way back in 2003. Every time it looks like his team has something going, the Steelers get in the way. Cincinnati was 4-1 going into this game and sure enough, they choke it away in a 28-21 loss, blowing the AFC North wide open. Lewis may have nine lives as a coach but even he has a breaking point.

Pat Shurmur (New York Giants)

Surprised? Don’t be. Pat Shurmur was hired with a specific goal in mind. That was to fix Eli Manning and squeeze whatever juice he had left out. Manning hasn’t delivered much at all. The Giants offense has basically become Saquon Barkley everywhere with maybe a throw or two to everybody else a game. Shurmur doesn’t exactly have the strong background to keep his job security safe for long. Especially if New York keeps losing like they do.

Home/NFL Hot Takes