The NFL is a well-known acronym: National Football League. But for players, head coaches, and anyone involved in the league not named any of the owners, it’s also known as a different, less fun acronym: Not For Long. Most players don’t make it past their first contract before they’re out of the league.
Most coaches stay as assistant coaches for their whole careers. If they decide to stick it out at the pro level, then there are the lucky few who become head coaches. It’s a stressful position, with the vast majority not making it to a second contract before being fired. Potentially, one bad season could cause a head coach to lose his job.
In 2025, several candidates will be in the hot seat. No first-year head coaches can be identified just yet, making this list a compilation of head coaches in their second years and beyond. Here are four head coaches whose teams underperformed in Week 1 and could soon be facing the harsh reality of having to search for another job.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
McDaniel burst onto the scene during his first two years as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach, leading the team to playoff berths in both years and becoming known for his offensive wizardry and ability to unlock quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
But ever since Miami was bounced in the wild-card round to the Kansas City Chiefs in January of 2024 amid frigid temperatures, the magic has dried up. McDaniel’s offense was ineffective in Kansas City, as the Dolphins converted just one of 12 third-down opportunities and finished with just 264 total yards of offense.
The 2024 campaign was a disaster, as Tagovailoa missed six games and Miami missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill made headlines for publicly saying “Im out,” following the final game.
That preceded an interesting offseason, to say the least. Hill walked back on his comments and has had to regain the trust of his teammates and coaches. At the same time, reports surfaced of a lax environment, discipline issues, and a lack of professionalism across the organization during McDaniel’s tenure.
🎥 Rex Ryan on Mike McDaniel: “McGenius guy or whatever the hell he is, nerd boy. Their team has no respect for their coach, they play like that… they’re soft, every part of their football team.” (@GetUpESPN) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/FOJZN1mQLr
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 8, 2025
At that point, alarm bells were sounded from a national perspective on McDaniel and whether he’s fit to be a head coach in the NFL. His chill demeanor in press conferences has led to several viral and funny moments. Still, there was hardly any question about his ability to lead after beginning his time with the Dolphins with two straight playoff appearances.
A losing season, combined with concerning reports, raised doubts about his ability to lead men. And after Miami’s 33-8 season-opening loss to the Indianapolis Colts, there’s even more cause for concern.
McDaniel’s team was out of sorts from the jump, falling behind 20-0 at halftime and failing to make the game competitive at any point. The offense, for which McDaniel calls the plays, amassed just 211 total yards and turned the ball over three times.
It was a poor performance for a team that needed to burst out of the gates to secure their head coach’s job. But if that effort doesn’t subside and the losing continues, McDaniel is a prime candidate to be the first coach fired during the 2025 season.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
The leash is already tight for Daboll, who’s led the Giants to just nine wins over the past two seasons after a Divisional Round appearance in his debut 2022 campaign. With quarterback Daniel Jones gone and 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart on the roster, Daboll was presumably given one more shot with a young quarterback of his own to mold.
New York signed veteran Russell Wilson as a bridge-starter with outside hopes of him leading the team to more wins than expected — but in Week 1, that doesn’t look like it’ll be the case.
It was against the Washington Commanders, who went to the NFC Championship a season ago. Still, the offense couldn’t get anything going against what’s projected to be an average Washington defense.
If Daboll’s job looks to be in question with a couple more rough-looking Wilson starts, we could see Dart sooner rather than later. Regardless, it may take a Herculean effort from Dart to save his head coach’s job.
Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers’ decision-makers decided to give Canales more than one season of runway after a disappointing 5-12 debut season in 2024. 2023 No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, showed promise late, potentially saving Canales’ job.
But Canales will have to perform this season, which includes elevating the play of Young. In Week 1, that did not happen — not even close, in fact.
A weather delay put off the inevitable of Carolina losing, as they managed to score just ten points with Young completing just over 50% of his passes for 154 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The 5’10” passer appears to have poorly regressed, warming Canales’ seat even further.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
The issue with the Titans on Sunday wasn’t quarterback Cam Ward. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick was on point, rifling passes to receivers who, more often than not, couldn’t haul them in. Most everyone outside of Ward wasn’t up to standard, including star defensive tackle and team captain Jeffrey Simmons, who committed a costly personal foul in the fourth quarter.
Here’s a compilation of some of Cam’s best throws on sunday
Tell me what you notice at the end…
(Via @NoFlagsFilm) pic.twitter.com/xBjAqzkuDX— Cam Ward Muse (@CamWardMuse) September 8, 2025
The penalties overall were a mess, as Tennessee was called for 12, resulting in 131 penalty yards. The rushing attack, albeit against one of the top defenses in the league, produced just 71 yards and averaged 3.1 yards per carry. And then the receiver dropped the ball, which plagued the team on its final drive attempt to tie the game.
Despite all of that, Callahan’s team should’ve won the game. They forced four turnovers, three off of second-year quarterback Bo Nix, and had themselves in plus-territory multiple times, but settled for four field goals, resulting in all 12 of their points.
It was not a clean, well-coached outing in the Titans’ season-opener. And while Callahan was given a second year for a reason, he’ll need to correct the entire team while ensuring that Ward stays on what he appears to be — a fast track to stardom in the NFL.
Not a very enviable position for Tennessee’s head man.
