Last week, we introduced our “Wednesday Worry List”—a work in progress, really—focusing on head coaches who find themselves on the hot seat or are at risk of joining that list.
Now that we’ve wrapped up two weeks of the season, the rankings are starting to take shape.
This week, just two coaches remain squarely on the hot seat, while a third has slipped a bit. Two others have fallen further back, and there’s a new addition to the lineup.
A coach firmly in the hot seat.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
After a crushing defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, Mike McDaniel addressed his team’s 33-8 loss. The Dolphins then faced the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium for their home opener, and despite a significant performance by Tua Tagovailoa, Miami ended up 0-2.
Amidst the turmoil around South Beach, fans even flew a plane over the stadium calling for McDaniel’s firing. Next up for the Dolphins is a tough trip to Buffalo, and let’s just say, the embarrassing performance during Thursday night football might seal his fate.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
The New York Giants are also struggling, sitting at 0-2 after a dramatic loss. They briefly took the lead against the Dallas Cowboys, but ultimately fell short, thanks to a last-minute field goal by Brandon Aubrey.
While the Giants showed some offensive improvement against the Cowboys, their early-season struggles put Brian Daboll at risk of staying on this list a bit longer, especially with a tough schedule ahead.
In the “others to watch” category, reflecting that “other teams receiving votes” feel in college football, two coaches are worth noting this week.
Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Dave Canales was creeping up the rankings after a performance against the Arizona Cardinals where the Panthers led significantly early but then nearly forfeited their advantage in a nail-biting finish.
Despite some penalties allowing them extra chances, the fight Carolina showed in that game reflects well on Canales’ leadership, so I’m placing him on this list.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan faced heat after a tough week, as the Titans dropped to 0-2 following a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That said, there were signs of improvement, even amidst the defeat, which helps his standing as a rookie quarterback takes the reins.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Kevin Stefanski finds himself in a challenging spot. His starting quarterback is older than most of his players, and the team is still grappling with the fallout from the Deshaun Watson trade. They started the season facing the Bengals and then came up short against the Baltimore Ravens.
With the Browns now at 0-2 and Stefanski’s recent record (3-16 over the last two seasons), it raises concerns about his future, although he’s handling tough circumstances.
Coaches who can breathe a little easier
Two coaches who were under scrutiny last week may feel slightly more secure heading into week 3, for a variety of reasons.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
Shane Steichen has been on our radar since week one. The Colts delivered a strong performance against the Dolphins, and following a win over the Denver Broncos, it seems like they might be for real.
Zach Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Zach Taylor has also been under observation since week one, considering how narrowly Cincinnati avoided a loss against the Browns. Now standing at 2-0, Taylor led the Bengals to victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, even without a healthy Joe Burrow.
With Burrow sidelined in recovery, Taylor might be faced with a backup quarterback for most of the season, which could actually offer him a bit more breathing room in his role.
