Overtime Heroics NFL Hot Seat Report

Firings This Season

Matt Rhule/Carolina Panthers- Replaced by Steve Wilks (Defensive Assistant)
Frank Reich/Indianapolis Colts- Replaced by Jeff Saturday (Staff Consultant)
Nathaniel Hackett/Denver Broncos-Replaced by Jerry Rosburg (Senior Assistant)

Firings This Week

Nathaniel Hackett/Denver Broncos

Hackett has (finally) been relieved of his duties after an embarrassing loss to the LA Rams by the final of 51-14. Hackett finishes his less than one season tenure at 4-11. Hackett becomes only the fifth head coach in NFL history to not finish his first season. It is the shortest tenure of any noninterim coach in Denver franchise history. Hackett was plagued with game management issues and after this weekend, one could argue he has lost control of the team as the players were pushing and shoving each other on the sidelines.

The team was only averaging 15.5 points per game, which is the lowest point total during the season since 1966. Broncos DC Ejiro Evero was offered the position of interim coach but opted to continue coaching the defense until the season was over. Senior Assistant Jerry Rosburg, who Hackett brought in to consult on game day decisions, has been named the interim coach to finish out the season.

They will need a top to bottom change in coaching staff and will need to find someone who can bring Russell Wilson back to life, as many would say he’s the reason that Denver is crumbling and not Hackett. Early candidateThe top potential NFL coaches include: Former Saints HC Sean Payton, Eagles OC Shane Steichen, Current DC Ejiro Evero, Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh and Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy.

NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat

Kliff Kingsbury/Arizona Cardinals

Arizona loses to conference rival Tampa Bay by the final of 19-16 in overtime. Third string QB Trace McSorley got the start. Won’t argue the difficulty it takes to win an NFL game with a 3^rd string QB, but they had an opportunity to win this game but couldn’t close it out. Another issue revealed itself with this continually dysfunctional organization. GM Steve Keim is now on medical leave from the team, and it is believed that he will not be returning.

He has been with the organization since 1999 and GM since 2013. He has (reportedly) battled issues with alcohol as he had a DUI charge in 2018 which he was subsequently fined and suspended for. There is also a report that Kingsbury is reportedly "miserable" and will resign at the end of the season.

This has been simmering as of late between Kyler and Kingsbury, further stroking the flames of the NFL Hot Seat. It should be noted, Murray is not expected to return until late in the 2023 season as he is out with an ACL tear that he suffered just a few weeks ago. If Kingsbury were to not return any coach taking this job would essentially have a rental QB for most, if not all the 2023 season.

Arthur Smith/Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta is officially eliminated from the postseason with a loss to the Baltimore Ravens 17-9. Atlanta has tumbled to 5-10 on the season after a 3-3 start. Eight of the last 10 losses this season for Atlanta have all been in a one score game.

The officiating was very skeptical this week and Smith has a legitimate argument on a couple of big calls. If there was a positive for Atlanta, we saw some improvement in Desmond Ridder, the expected franchise quarterback for years to come. He looked more comfortable this week and seems to have found a connection with rookie WR Drake London.

Rookie RB Tyler Allgeier also continues to impress. The defense was strong all game long although Baltimore doesn’t quite scare anyone on the offensive side of the ball without Lamar Jackson. The Falcons finish the final two weeks with two very winnable games, in Arizona and Tampa Bay.

Smith will need a strong finish to keep him off the NFL hot seat, but it appears he might get one more year with Ridder to see where this franchise can go, especially with Tom Brady primed for free agency and on his way out in Tampa Bay.

Lovie Smith/Houston Texans

Lovie has not been on the NFL Hot Seat report at all this year because everyone knew they would struggle, and they have a boatload of picks in this year’s draft to start the rebuild.

However, there has been some chatter on social media about this job status and that the ownership group is looking to make a change. Houston is 2-12-1 on the season but they have played better in the last three weeks even while going 1-2. The win this week against Tennessee has the potential to vault Lovie back into the good graces of the ownership group.

While they have been decimated by injuries this season, the thought process will continue whenever the franchise has the #1 pick. Like the situation going on in Indianapolis, do the fans want this coaching staff to coach the new franchise pillars that you will undoubtedly draft in the offseason?

Seats That Are Staying Warm
Dennis Allen/New Orleans, Josh McDaniels/Las Vegas, Matt LeFleur/Green Bay Packers, Kevin Stefanski/Cleveland Browns

Who do you think will be the next coach to fall off the NFL hot seat? Let us know in the comments below!

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