Week 18 in the NFL is upon us, meaning it’s time to look ahead to Black Monday. That day is the worst nightmare for NFL coaches on the hot seat. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants moved on from their head coaches earlier in the season, and other vacancies will likely open up.
These three coaches could be firmly on the hot seat, but you could make a case for each of them to keep their jobs heading into the 2026 season.
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Aaron Glenn’s first season with the New York Jets has been rough, but there’s still a strong case for giving him more time. The team struggled to compete effectively for much of the year, and its results fell short of expectations. Yet, given the circumstances, it’s hard to place most of that on Glenn.
From the start, the Jets faced major limitations, including poor quarterback play, injuries to key players like Garrett Wilson, and a midseason fire sale that sent stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams away. That’s not a roster any first-year head coach can win with.
Bright spots were few, but there were some. Wins over the Bengals, Browns, and Falcons showed progress and buy-in from Glenn’s players despite a depleted lineup. He earned respect during his run as Detroit’s defensive coordinator, and his leadership and professionalism have been evident through the adversity in New York.
At league meetings, owner Woody Johnson suggested that the Jets’ biggest issue was quarterback play, not coaching. That vote of confidence should still stand and give Glenn another year, but you just never know. The organization has five first-round picks over the next two drafts, which is a massive opportunity for Glenn and the front office to rebuild the roster as they see fit.
It’s hard to ignore the latest four-game skid, with the Jets consistently outscored by large margins. Given the lack of talent and quarterback instability, it was never going to be an overnight success. Firing him now would only restart a cycle of short-term decisions that have plagued this franchise for years.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
After a turbulent season that saw general manager Chris Grier dismissed, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel remains in place for now. With back-to-back losing seasons and a 0-2 playoff mark, per Pro Football Reference, his seat is understandably warm. Yet, in context, there is a strong argument for giving him another year.
McDaniel has shown creativity and resilience in a challenging environment. Miami began the season 1-6, then rebounded to win five of its next six games. Even after being blown out by the Steelers and Bengals with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, McDaniel’s group didn’t quit.
That resilience showed again in Week 17, when rookie seventh-round quarterback Quinn Ewers, playing for the benched Tua Tagovailoa and without Tyreek Hill, led the Dolphins to an upset over Tampa Bay. The win showed McDaniel’s ability to scheme success despite serious roster and injury setbacks.
Known as one of the league’s most innovative offensive minds, McDaniel has proven he can create explosive, high-efficiency football. His offense ranked second in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric in 2023. Though that number has dipped to 18th this season, much of the regression stems from an unsettled quarterback situation.
His decision to bench Tagovailoa demonstrated accountability and adaptability, qualities not every coach in his position would display. McDaniel’s biggest flaw has been closing out seasons strongly, as he has a losing record in December or later.
Ultimately, McDaniel’s fate may rest in the hands of the new GM. But owner Stephen Ross has reportedly shown support for his head coach, and unless an established name like John Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin suddenly becomes available, it’s difficult to justify a change now.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts began 2025 as one of the league’s biggest surprises, racing out to a 7-1 start that briefly put Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard in the conversation for coach and executive of the year. But a promising season unraveled quickly because of devastating injuries and inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. Now, as the Colts sit on the brink of another losing record, Steichen’s future is uncertain.
Despite the late-season slide, Steichen likely deserves another year. The coach being criticized now is the same one who had this team playing at a high level early in the season. He reinvigorated the offense with Daniel Jones before the quarterback’s season-ending Achilles injury, and his bold move to bring in Lou Anarumo to lead the defense paid off early, even as the unit wore down with more injuries.
Losing a starting quarterback and his backup would derail almost any team, and Steichen kept the locker room engaged throughout. It’s fair to question some late-season decisions, especially his choice to rely on 44-year-old Philip Rivers even when Riley Leonard was healthy after their playoff hopes faded. But that shouldn’t erase what Steichen accomplished earlier in the year.
This offseason introduces a significant new variable: the Colts’ first full year under principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. She and her sisters have been with the organization long enough to value stability and know injuries were the main reason for the Colts’ collapse. Steichen still has three years left on his contract, and tearing things down now would only create more uncertainty during a crucial transition.
At 25-25, Steichen’s record suggests mediocrity, but that number underrates what he’s done with inconsistent personnel, quarterback turnover, and a defense in flux. With a healthier roster and stability, he’s shown he can field a playoff-caliber team. If Jones’ early-season form was any indication, Steichen’s offensive system still works. He just needs another chance to prove it with a better hand.
