The NFL preseason is underway, meaning that the 2025 regular season is drawing near. As the new year approaches, certain head coaches find themselves with less job security than others.
Granted, a lot can change between now and the end of the upcoming season. That said, some coaches have been in the role for long enough to show that their leashes should be short in 2025.
To take an early look at some of those coaches, let’s break down five head coaches on the hot seat going into the 2025 NFL season.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
It’s been a steep decline for Brian Daboll as head coach of the New York Giants. He led them to the playoffs in 2022 and won NFL Coach of the Year after a 9-8 record. But the Giants dropped to 6-11 in 2023, and they further regressed to 3-14 the following year. Needless to say, he’s on the hot seat in 2025.
Daboll has his hopes hitched to the Russell Wilson wagon, hoping that a new quarterback can provide an upgrade over Daniel Jones. If Wilson or first-round pick Jaxson Dart excels in 2025, it could buy Daboll more time. If the Giants put together a similar performance to last year, though, he’ll surely be on his way out.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Things started off strong for Mike McDaniel, as he made the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. After going 11-6 in 2023, though, they dropped down to 8-9 in 2024 and missed the postseason. Generally speaking, things are trending downward in Miami currently.
Mike McDaniel on changing Dolphins culture this offseason: “You don’t fix something by bitching about it and complaining about it. You fix it by action.” pic.twitter.com/5czC4CUgOE
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) May 28, 2025
Losses like Terron Armstead, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and Jevon Holland figure to hurt the Dolphins in 2025. Rumors indicate McDaniel has rubbed some players the wrong way, which puts him on the hot seat with pressure to lead Miami back to the postseason. If his team continues its decline, it could result in his termination as head coach.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan has only been the head coach of the Tennessee Titans for one season to this point. However, they tied for the worst record in the league last year, and that got them the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Brian Callahan depends on Cam Ward. They need a good backup though.”
Kelly and I are breaking down the #Titans QB situation NOW
— George Plaster (@georgeplastertn) August 11, 2025
Given their struggles last year, the Titans shouldn’t be expected to win the AFC South or even make the playoffs at this point. That said, there needs to be some sort of tangible improvement that Callahan brings out from this team. Even if expectations aren’t high, they should be higher than 3-14. Failure to improve much could see him out the door.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals seem to be on the rise going into 2025. After a 4-13 performance in Jonathan Gannon’s first year as their head coach in 2023, they improved significantly with an 8-9 outing in 2024. They actively addressed the defense this offseason, bringing in the likes of Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, Walter Nolen, and Will Johnson.
Going into this new season, expectations should be higher for the Cardinals. On paper, they’re better than they were last season. Gannon has shown encouraging growth in his stint as their head coach but hasn’t gone over .500 yet. He might not be on the hot seat now, but if Arizona doesn’t continue to improve, those conversations could surely pick up.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
Generally speaking, it’s impressive what Shane Steichen has done as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, given their poor play at the quarterback position. Through his two seasons in the role, he has a combined record of 17-17 heading into 2025.
Finishing middle of the pack every year won’t keep you around very long, though. Steichen has the difficult task of leading the Colts to the postseason with either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback. Their roster has talent, and Steichen has maximized it pretty well. But in the end, an average win-loss record could hurt him.
