As the NFL season looms, the heat is on for several head coaches, with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg spotlighting the top five who are under the most pressure to deliver results.
On ESPN’s “Get Up,” Greenberg named his most precarious positions for the upcoming season, revealing a notably high concentration of tension within the NFC East.
Topping Greenberg’s list is Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, followed by Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni, Dallas Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy, Chicago Bears’ Matt Eberflus, and New York Giants’ Brian Daboll.
In the NFC East alone, Sirianni, McCarthy, and Daboll are all facing significant pressure in their respective situations.
Sirianni finds himself vulnerable after a tumultuous off-season. Greenberg noted that Sirianni’s job security could hinge on the Eagles’ performance this year, given significant roster changes as well as the reported rift that exists between Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“Last year I thought he was hanging on by a thread,” Greenberg said of Sirianni. “They got rid of the offensive coordinator and the defensive coordinator so there’s nobody left to blame.
They have as much offensive skill position talent as any team in the NFL. I think they’re going to have a really good year. If they don’t, it’s going to fall squarely on the coach.”
Although Greenberg ranks him behind Sirianni, you could certainly make a strong argument that Mike McCarthy is facing even more pressure in Dallas.
Greenberg described the situation as one of the most critical, highlighting that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is demanding results.
McCarthy’s job is on the line with expectations high for this season. Greenberg suggests that failure to secure playoff victories could spell the end of McCarthy’s tenure.
“He’s almost too obvious to mention,” he said of McCarthy. “They held a press conference the other day in Big D and I think he was asleep. He wasn’t even answering any questions because they were all going to Jerry Jones.
This is an ‘all in’ season and, by that, Jerry means now or never. That’s going to include the quarterback and that’s going to include the coach. If they don’t win playoff games this season, I can’t imagine him returning.”
In most years, Brian Daboll wouldn’t be considered to be on anyone’s hot-seat, especially since he was dealt such a crappy hand out the gates.
However, the fact that the ghost of Bill Belichick still hovers over the Meadowlands makes 2024 an extremely important season for Daboll.
“This is partially unfair,” Greenberg said of Daboll’s inclusion on his list. “He had a magnificent season two years ago. Then he overplayed his hand and in some ways it worked against him. Expectations last year were higher than they should’ve been.
“Now the team isn’t all that good. However, whatever the dysfunction that seemed to be in place at the end of last season was … I think it put him in a bad position. The specter of Bill Belichick matters in New York, and I think Daboll is on the hot seat.”
However, the most intense pressure seems to be on the Jets’ Robert Saleh.
With the team investing heavily in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and an overhauled offensive line, Saleh faces a make-or-break season.
Greenberg emphasized that the Jets are at a crossroads, where a successful season could lead to great things, but failure might result in a complete organizational overhaul.
“This one is insanely obvious,” Greenberg said of Saleh. “I think everyone knows, including him, that this team is the ultimate boom or bust.
“They have a great season, wonderful. But if this thing falls apart, everyone’s gone beginning with him and including the general manager and the legendary quarterback and everybody else.
“It is boom or bust. Either this team wins big, or they tear it down to the studs.”
What are your thoughts on Greenberg’s list?
Which coach do YOU think is facing the most pressure as we head into the new season???