As the 2025 NFL season passes its midpoint, the landscape of coaching stability across the league is shifting rapidly. The New York Giants recently made headlines by dismissing Brian Daboll after three and a half seasons, marking the latest high-profile in-season coaching change of the year. This move reflects a growing trend of teams reevaluating their leadership as the season progresses, often in response to unmet expectations and the pressure to turn around disappointing starts.
The Giants are far from alone in their search for new coaching direction. Earlier in the season, the Tennessee Titans parted ways with Brian Callahan, elevating Mike McCoy to the interim head coach role. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads, with their fate hinging on how Mike McDaniel navigates a tumultuous 2025 campaign. The Dolphins’ offseason upheaval, which included the departure of longtime general manager Chris Grier, has added another layer of uncertainty about whether a fresh start at the head coaching position might be on the horizon.
Each coaching cycle in the NFL tends to bring surprises—names that fans and analysts might not expect to be on the hot seat suddenly find themselves under intense scrutiny. As the season progresses, several established coaches could face more pressure than anticipated, especially if their teams stumble in key moments. Here, we examine five notable head coaches whose futures may be in question as the 2025 season winds down, assessing their situations and the likelihood of change with a “Hot Seat Truth” meter.
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**Matt LaFleur – Green Bay Packers** *Current season record: 5-3-1 | Career record: 72-36-1*
Matt LaFleur’s tenure with the Packers has been marked by consistent postseason appearances—five playoff berths in seven years—but he has yet to break through to a conference championship game since taking the reins. His 2025 season has been a mixed bag, marred by injuries that have exposed the team’s streaky offense and raised questions about his ability to adjust under pressure. The team’s Monday Night Football loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was a particularly dispiriting setback, and sources like The Athletic suggest that Green Bay’s new team president, Ed Policy, may be reconsidering LaFleur’s long-term viability beyond this season.
Despite these concerns, LaFleur’s track record, including his role in hiring defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley—credited with building one of the league’s best defenses—keeps his standing relatively secure. He remains on pace for his sixth playoff appearance in seven years, and if Green Bay were to let him go, he would undoubtedly be a hot commodity for other franchises looking for an experienced and successful head coach.
*Hot Seat Truth: 🔥 (Moderate risk)*
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**Sean McDermott – Buffalo Bills** *Current season record: 6-3 | Career record: 92-48*
Sean McDermott appears one of the most entrenched coaches in the NFL, leading Buffalo to seven playoff appearances in eight seasons, a run comparable to that of his mentor, Andy Reid. Under McDermott’s guidance, the Bills have become perennial contenders, largely thanks to the elite play of quarterback Josh Allen. However, the Bills have struggled to make a deep postseason impact, repeatedly falling short on the biggest stages.
Critics point to McDermott’s inconsistent defensive schemes and question the effectiveness of offensive play-caller Joe Brady, whose tenure has coincided with the New England Patriots overtaking Buffalo in the AFC East standings. The inability to advance past key playoff hurdles could eventually erode confidence in McDermott’s leadership, especially if the Bills suffer another disappointing postseason exit.
*Hot Seat Truth: 🔥🔥 (Elevated risk)*
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**Arthur Smith – Atlanta Falcons** *Current season record: 3-6 | Career record: 32-53*
Arthur Smith’s situation is less about tenure and more about results. Technically only a year and a half into his current stint as Atlanta’s head coach, his overall record with the Falcons—including his previous interim role in 2020—is a disappointing 15-22. The Falcons’ front office, led by general manager Terry Fontenot, faces mounting pressure to produce consistent results, particularly with young quarterback Michael Penix Jr. now at the helm following the departure of Kirk Cousins.
Smith and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson have drawn criticism for questionable in-game decisions, and despite promising talent