Top 5 NFL Coaches Who Could Be Fired in 2025

One of the most important components of a successful NFL team is coaching. Because of the nature of the game, NFL teams need excellent head coaches more than in other professional sports.

Football is a tough, violent game that needs a strong leader at the top to keep morale, discipline, and motivation high. Developing a cohesive team in the best team sport is the responsibility of a football head coach.

Few positions are open in the NFL, and there is a lot of money at stake. This makes everyone in the league, especially the head coach, feel pressured to succeed and adopt a “what have you done for me lately” attitude. Before their seats grow too hot, the coaches below need to find success in 2025.

Five NFL Head Coaches Who Will Be Fired in 2025

In 2025, the following five head coaches will have to prove themselves!

Mike McDaniel

Mike McDaniel stands out as one of the most fascinating head coaches in the NFL for numerous reasons. Not only does he possess a distinctive personality, but his tenure as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins has been quite a ride. From the outset, McDaniel showcased his remarkable, game-changing offensive strategies, with the most notable being the ‘cheat motion.’

McDaniel appeared to be an ideal match for Miami. His offensive style thrived with agile running backs, intricate blocking schemes, nimble wide receivers, and quarterbacks who process information quickly. This perfectly aligned with how the Dolphins were constructed, and McDaniel swiftly positioned them to secure numerous victories.

Unfortunately, McDaniel has struggled to maintain his initial success for various reasons. The team has been hindered by injuries, aging players, issues with assistant coaches, and a failure to adjust to changing situations.

As the Dolphins approach the 2025 season, they seem to be an enigma. There exists a scenario where they could rekindle their former success, but a more probable outcome is that they might end up as one of the league’s weakest teams. McDaniel is undoubtedly a brilliant offensive strategist, yet this could be his final opportunity to demonstrate that he is a legitimate NFL head coach.

Brian Daboll

Brian Daboll stands out as one of the premier offensive coordinators in the league, yet he has faced challenges in establishing himself as a head coach. He has received continuous acclaim for transforming the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, into the superstar he is today. This success catapulted Daboll into the ranks of top head coach candidates in the NFL. Consequently, the Giants appointed Brian Daboll as their head coach in 2022.

Daboll was tasked with the challenge of elevating Daniel Jones to stardom, similar to his previous work with Josh Allen. On paper, this appeared to be a promising strategy for the Giants, but a significant problem arose… Daniel Jones is not Josh Allen. The Giants’ front office would persist in trying to build around Jones until they ultimately released him from the team in 2024.

Currently, the team seems optimistic about their second 2025 first-round pick, Jaxon Dart. While Dart may not see extensive playing time in his rookie season, Daboll appears enthusiastic about his potential in the NFL.

As Daboll enters his fourth season as the Giants’ head coach, the expectation for progress is high. Not only is Daboll’s position becoming precarious, but general manager Joe Schoen’s is as well. If there is no advancement in 2025, the Giants may decide to part ways with both Daboll and Schoen.

Zac Taylor

From the perspective of analysts and fans, Zac Taylor often finds himself on the hot seat. In his first two seasons, he guided the Cincinnati Bengals to a dismal 6-25-1 record, which ultimately led to the acquisition of superstar quarterback Joe Burrow.

Despite facing several season-ending injuries to their star quarterback, Zac Taylor and the Bengals achieved success with a Super Bowl appearance and an AFC Conference Championship appearance the following year. However, this success has not persisted, as the Bengals have now missed the playoffs for two consecutive years.

Taylor is the most successful coach on this list, but that does not guarantee his job security. If he fails to lead the team to the playoffs for a third straight season with such an incredibly talented roster, significant changes will be necessary.

Jonathan Gannon

Jonathan Gannon stands out as one of the more secure coaches on this list. While his position may be becoming less stable, it certainly isn’t as precarious as that of others. Gannon inherited a struggling Arizona Cardinals team, yet he has succeeded in crafting a squad that showcases thrilling moments.

Although Gannon isn’t facing as much pressure as some of his peers, he must achieve greater success than he has thus far. It appears that both he and the Cardinals are aware of this, as they have engaged in a notably active offseason. Will we finally witness the fruits of the Cardinals’ rebuilding efforts?

Shane Steichen

Shane Steichen was regarded as a top-tier head coach candidate following his remarkable stint as offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. This acclaim led to his appointment as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

There was considerable enthusiasm surrounding Steichen’s potential impact on the Colts, but so far, his time in charge has been disappointing. The Colts have consistently boasted talented players, yet they have struggled with a constant turnover of quarterbacks since Andrew Luck’s exit, failing to find the right combination.

It seems the cycle of quarterback changes will persist, with Daniel Jones stepping in as the Anthony Richardson project appears to be indefinitely paused. Could Daniel Jones follow in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold? There is optimism that Steichen can maximize Daniel Jones’s potential, given his successful history with Jalen Hurts.

Steichen has the potential to be an excellent head coach, but that potential will only be realized if the franchise’s situation begins to improve. Solving the quarterback dilemma could be the key to unlocking the team’s success, and Steichen must act swiftly to ensure his position remains secure.