The League: NFL Head Coaches Under Pressure in 2025 and Who's on the Hot Seat?

Summary

---

Buffalo Plus: NFL Head Coaches Under Pressure in 2025 – Who’s on the Hot Seat?

Air Date: July 10, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana & Jenna Cottrell (Dan Fetes on vacation)
Theme: In-depth discussion of NFL head coaches facing significant pressure entering the 2025 season, focusing on “pressure to do more” vs. “pressure to be fired.” The conversation emphasizes coaches of contending teams, the impact of ownership stability, and where the heat is hottest as expectations rise.

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the “hot seat” status of NFL head coaches entering the 2025 season. Mike and Jenna break down the distinction between coaches facing immense pressure to take the next step with their teams (without necessarily being in danger of getting fired) and those whose jobs truly hang in the balance. With unique insight drawn from covering the Buffalo Bills, discussion weaves league-wide context with Buffalo-centric analysis, all through the lens of playoff frustration, team ceilings, and the dominance of quarterback-driven franchises.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. Defining “Pressure” vs. “Hot Seat” (00:58)

• The hosts clarify two categories:
  • Coaches not likely to be fired but facing pressure to win bigger (e.g., McDermott, Harbaugh, Shanahan).
  • Coaches genuinely on the hot seat where their job is at risk.
• “There are coaches who get mentioned all the time… some are looking over their shoulder from week number one because they could be fired. And I think they know it.” – Mike (01:01)

---

2. Pressure to Do More: Established Coaches

Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills) (02:20)

• Multiple division titles and playoff appearances, but yet to reach a Super Bowl.
• The ownership’s loyalty makes firing “unfathomable,” but pressure remains heavy.
• “It’s not about firing him, though, in this case. It’s about pressure. And that’s why he’s on this list.” – Mike (02:23)
• “Division titles, what, five in a row now? …They cannot get past the Chiefs.” – Mike (02:44)

John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) (05:01)

• Super Bowl winner, but recent failure to win with Lamar Jackson raises questions.
• “Harbaugh is a heck of a coach, but there’s pressure on him too, right? He’s not going anywhere.” – Mike (06:28)
• Playoff losses, including to the Bills, keep expectations high.

Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers) (08:59)

• Solid playoff record but has lost big games, notably two Super Bowls to the Chiefs.
• “Big moments, big games have not been the best for him because they have been so close.” – Mike (09:21)
• Potential for “mutual fatigue” but immediate job security remains.

Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) (12:19)

• Regular season success, but only 3-5 in the playoffs.
• “If you’re a Green Bay fan, you want more LaFleur.” – Mike (13:58)
• Strong regular season and quarterback development, but concerns about playoff ceiling.

Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers) (16:50)

• Never had a losing season, but “has not had the quarterback.”
• “Tomlin’s deal is he has not had the quarterback. Let’s be honest…he doesn’t have one this year, either.” – Mike (16:50)
• Firing deemed highly unlikely unless Tomlin himself wants to leave.

Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions) (21:27)

• Has revamped team culture, made Lions competitive.
• Now must show results after recent playoff letdowns and both coordinators departing.
  • “Dan Campbell…culture changer, came in and said, ‘We’re not the same old crappy Lions.’” – Mike (22:13)

---

3. The “Chiefs Wall” & AFC/NFC Dominance (07:21)

• Extensive discussion on how Patrick Mahomes and previously Tom Brady have made it exceedingly difficult for elite AFC coaches/QBs (Allen, Lamar, Burrow) to break through.
• “All those seasons of these great quarterbacks and they’ve made it to one Super Bowl because it’s been Mahomes, and before that, Tom Brady that have owned it.” – Mike (07:18)
• Expressed fan frustration:
  • “Just makes me sick to my stomach, man.” – Jenna (07:21)

---

4. Coaches in Ownership-Driven Stability vs. Volatility (17:13, 37:05)

• Steelers represent ultimate stability; Tomlin’s fate rests with him, not ownership impatience.
• Contrasts with dysfunctional ownership situations (Carolina, Indianapolis, Cincinnati) where jobs are less secure.
  • “Ownership plays such a huge part in this… Steelers don’t want to fire anybody.” – Mike (37:05)

---

5. Tiering Quarterbacks and the Coaching “Ceiling” (15:44)

• Debate over what defines an "elite" quarterback and how that impacts coaching pressure.
• Allen, Mahomes, Burrow, Lamar cited as only true “elite” QBs in the league right now.

---

6. Pressure to Be Fired: True Hot Seat Coaches

Brian Daboll (New York Giants) (25:01)

• Early success set “victimizing expectations.”
• Mistake in prioritizing Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley.
• “He’s got to win, or he’s got to get that kid (Jackson Dart) in the game and show he can bring him up. He can coach young quarterbacks.” – Mike (25:51)
• Odds-on favorite for first coach fired (33:58).

Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins) (28:00)

• Cited as “quirky,” but concerns about lack of winning culture and underperformance.
• “My issue with the Dolphins is they don’t have a strong team culture.” – Mike (28:32)
• McDaniel’s odds of being first coach fired have skyrocketed.

Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns) (30:42)

• Losing record and “horrible quarterbacking situation.”
• “If he gets fired, he’s also somewhat of a darling of the coaching people.” – Mike (31:31)

Other Coaches Mentioned Briefly:

• Shane Steichen (Colts): Franchise is a mess, quarterback situation unresolved.
• Brian Callahan (Titans): One year in, major pressure.
• Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals): Uninspiring results; could easily be let go.
• Zac Taylor (Bengals): Despite Super Bowl appearance and playoff success, under .500 record raises stakes with ownership dysfunction.
  • “That’s what teams will do…then they’ll blame it on the coach.” – Mike (35:33)

---

7. Ownership, Analytics, and Public Perception

• Analytical win/loss narratives sometimes override “actual” results, especially in fan discourse.
• Comments on the “agony of reading the analytics as to why you shouldn’t have won.” – Mike (14:40)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McDermott’s job security:
  “When people are like, ‘I’m done with McDermott,’ …you can be frustrated, and that’s totally understandable. But I think people just see Josh Allen, they see the NFL MVP, and they want it to equal championships.” – Jenna (03:45)

• On the AFC’s playoff gauntlet:
  “The Bills lost to [the Chiefs] in the AFC, and the Niners lost to them in the Super Bowl.” – Mike (11:43)

• On Dan Campbell’s impact:
  “He brought those Lions fans back. It’s great. He’s had some tough losses in the playoffs… He lost both coordinators, so this is a big year for him.” – Mike (22:12)

• Jenna on McDaniels:
  “It almost felt like he wanted the players to like him too much. Like, you know, when a parent just wants to be a friend.” (28:46)

• On culture over locale:
  “In the NFL, players want to be in Buffalo, don’t want to be in Miami. That should tell you something.” – Mike (29:27)

• Memorable Comic Relief:
  “We were joking… It was borderline erotic seeing how sad Patrick Mahomes was.” – Jenna (08:14)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:58 — Explanation of pressure vs. hot seat
• 02:20–04:52 — Deep dive on Sean McDermott’s pressure and job security
• 05:01–06:39 — The Harbaugh conundrum: credibility, pressure, and playoff woes
• 08:59–11:43 — Kyle Shanahan: playoff success, Super Bowl heartbreak, future in SF
• 12:19–15:44 — Matt LaFleur & Jordan Love: do they reach an elite tier?
• 16:50–19:33 — Mike Tomlin and the unique situation in Pittsburgh
• 21:27–23:43 — Dan Campbell’s culture shift, tough playoff losses, and a crucial 2025 season
• 25:01–27:21 — Brian Daboll at the crossroads: QB choices and expectations
• 28:00–30:26 — Mike McDaniel’s perceived culture gap in Miami
• 30:42–31:46 — Kevin Stefanski struggles to find his footing in Cleveland
• 32:32–33:48 — Other “short leash” situations: Steichen, Callahan, Gannon, Zac Taylor
• 33:58–34:22 — Firing odds rundown; Daboll, McDaniel, Steichen at the top
• 37:05 — The outsize influence of ownership on coaches’ fates

---

Who’s Most Likely to Succeed Under Pressure? (23:43–24:57)

• Both agree Sean McDermott is best positioned for a breakthrough due to Josh Allen and roster consistency.
• “I’m not being a homer here. It’s Sean McDermott.” – Mike (24:05)
• Harbaugh and Lamar are close, but AFC playoff gauntlet remains brutal.

---

Recurring Observations

• Dominant QB/coach combos are still being blocked by dynastic teams (Chiefs/Patriots).
• High-profile head coaches are not truly on the brink of firing, but playoff expectations keep heat on.
• Dysfunctional franchises, poor ownership, and unstable quarterback situations are the true hotbeds for first coach firings.
• Analytics and fan expectations—sometimes at odds with results—add to the pressure cooker.

---

Listener Engagement

• The hosts invite fan opinions: which coaches deserve more time, who should be on the hot seat, and which organizations create the best/worst conditions for coaches to thrive.

---

In Summary

A lively, thorough exploration of the league’s most pressured coaches, pairing Bills context with broad NFL analysis. While some jobs are secure, moving past “almost” is as tough a task as keeping your job in a messy franchise. And, as always, in the NFL: “It is not for long.”

Transcript

[A]

All those seasons of these great quarterbacks and they've made it to one super bowl because it's been Mahomes and before that, Tom Brady that have owned it.

[B]

Just makes me sick to my stomach, man. All right, welcome back to the Buffalo Plus Channel. Presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana. Dan Fadesto still enjoying his vacation. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We always appreciate it. All right, the latest episode, we're talking about the leagues presented by stellar roofing, windows and siding. And this episode, talking a little bit about head coaches, the hot seat people. We think that have the expectations now to do even more and we're going to get into it because there are a lot of coaches that come to mind in terms of what's expected, where they need to be, and. And whether or not they will be coaching the same team in 2020.

[A]

I think about pressure and the hot seat and all those things that come up, and I guess you never know who it's going to be. There are coaches who get mentioned all the time and we're going to talk about them. I think it's a different kind of pressure. And then there are the ones who are looking over their shoulder from week number one because they could be fired. And I think they know it. So. So that's why I tried to break it in to these two different categories. We have coaches that are not getting fired, and that includes, as you guys know, if you watch our channel, we cover the Buffalo Bills. But there are other coaches in the same category as Sean McDermott that I would say. And the reason we bring up Sean McDermott is, I'll just tell you right now, he's not on any hot seat.

[B]

He is not.

[A]

Sean McDermott has one and one and one. What he hasn't done is won the one to get to the Super Bowl. Right.

[B]

That was good, Michael.

[A]

Yes. He has not done that. But the Pulas who own the Buffalo Bills are not firing Sean McDermott. I guess there's always the possibility the whole thing blows up and There goes Sean McDermott because Josh Allen doesn't want to play for him anymore. I don't see that happening at any point.

[B]

Honestly. Even if that were to happen this year, I still don't think he would be fired until a seat like.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

It's just. It seems unfathomable.

[A]

Yeah. Because he has won and he's won a ton of games and I get it. It's not about firing him, though, in this case, it's about Pressure. And that's why he's on this list. Yeah, it's a pressure to do more. He's not alone on this list, but we will begin with that. They've gotten as close as you can get to the super bowl, down a score to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game with the ball in your hands, and they didn't get there. So the idea would be for a coach like Sean McDermott. Division titles, what, five in a row now? Five in a row. Multiple. You know, all these double digit win seasons, they cannot get past the Chiefs. We can say they had that one against the Bengals. Absolutely. He's got to live with that. Cannot get past the Chiefs. They beat the Ravens again for a second time to get to that AFC Championship game, but can't get by. But Jenna, I would say to you, how high do you think the pressure is? Because we're not talking about a firing, we're just saying is, at what point would it ever be that you get so close they feel like you're just doing the same thing over and over again. Because the idea is, if not Sean McDermott. Okay, who.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Who are you bringing in to coach the team?

[B]

I think sometimes when people do get so frustrated with Sean McDermott, sometimes I want to be like, it's really hard to win a Super Bowl. And I'm not saying that's an excuse. Like, obviously there is that pressure like you talked about. There is that wanting to see the potential of this team and saying they have the talent, they have the ability to get to a Super bowl and to win the Lombardi. But, but I also think for me, it's like, yeah, it's, it's, it's challenging. Like looking at, they have sports betting ag Put out the, the lines in terms of coaches getting fired. First coach to be fired, Sha McDermott. 50. You know what I mean? 50 to 1 odds. Like when people are like, I'm done with McDermott, all this stuff, it's like you can be frustrated and that's totally understandable. I, I think people just see Josh Allen, they see the NFL mvp and they, and they want it to equal championships. And also it takes a lot to get there. And I think if anyone would be sitting here saying they feel pressure, I think the first person would be Sean McDermott of Knowing what the ultimate goal is and knowing that they've fallen short and knowing that it's been the same team essentially every time that's been able to end their season.

[A]

So another guy would put in the same category is John Harbaugh, which is.

[B]

Interesting because obviously he has won the big one, right?

[A]

So he won a Super bowl and that buys you a level of credibility. Yeah, this guy's won a Super Bowl, super bowl winner, some cash. He's done it, right. He's got Lamar. Hasn't gotten there with Lamar. In fact, Sean McDermott has beaten him in those two playoff games. Now I say Sean McDermott, Josh Allen has beaten Lamar Jackson. Heck, just like we say with Josh Allen against the Chiefs. Mahomes is awesome, Allen's awesome. But all I know is Lamar Jackson threw a touchdown and had a player Mark Andrews drop a two point conversion which would have sent that game to overtime. So technically Lamar and Harbaugh lost that game to Sean McDermott and Josh Allen.

[B]

But.

[A]

But there was a mistake there. There was a major mistake there and it kept them from getting past. They have lost. John Harbaugh is a.623 regular season winning percentage 13 and 11 in the playoffs. He's lost one time in the AFC championship game to the Chiefs. He's 02 in the playoffs against the Bills. He did lose once to the Bengals, but that was the Tyler Huntley game. That was when Lamar did not play play that year in the playoffs when he was injured. So listen, Harbaugh is a heck of a coach, but there's pressure on him too, right? He's not going anywhere. I mean, we're talking about guys that if you fired them, they would have their pick of the open jobs. Am I not right?

[B]

And Sean McDermott is on that list too, right?

[A]

So far with those guys, you would say the same thing in terms of pressure. Now there is pressure and, and it's the Chiefs. And that's why I say when I look at that, and I'll have, I have other people on this list, but when I look at that, I say, okay, everybody talks about the Bills not making the super bowl, the Ravens not making the Super Bowl. All these seasons of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and even Joe Burrow who did make it once. Tremendous win they had. They knocked off the Chiefs to get to the super bowl, which was great. All those seasons of these great quarterbacks and they've made it to one super bowl because it's been Mahomes and before that Tom Brady that have owned it.

[B]

Just makes me sick to my stomach, man. Yeah, truly though, it's just like, you know, we talked, not we, but like it was for so long. It was Tom Brady and we're never going to see anything like it. And then the Chiefs come Along. And I mean, it's not quite the same, obviously, but at the same point you're like, are you kidding me?

[A]

Yeah. It's one part of that dynasty with the Patriots. They. They basically did it twice.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

With Brady.

[B]

Correct. But I'm saying, like, we're in the middle of homes. He's in his prime right now, and they've been as dominant as one could ever imagine. So it's just. It's like.

[A]

It is. It is something. And you think about it.

[B]

Oh, I'm so blurry. That's fine. Whatever. We'll go to the three shot or the two shot.

[A]

You think about this. The last time we saw the Chiefs, they got blown out in the Super Bowl.

[B]

Can I say what I said is that it's probably inappropriate.

[A]

Go right ahead.

[B]

We were joking. It was. I might have to cut this out. It was borderline erotic seeing how sad Patrick Mahomes was. Should I cut that out?

[A]

No, I think that's fine.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And by the way, I want that to be official. That that game was 40 to 8.

[B]

Oh, oh, yeah. The. Who cares? Touchdowns.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, when you. When you score a touchdown after the other team has dumped Gatorade on the coach, you know, that's a garbage time. Touchdown. But I say that when we've seen the Chiefs be human and then you say, well, this year they could go to the super bowl for a fourth straight year. I mean, it's incredibly impressive.

[B]

And also for the Bill's sake and the history that the Bills have had in the streak that they had, I don't want that to be the case.

[A]

Yes. Now let's add another guy who's been to the super bowl and gotten there several times as an assistant and then as a head coach couple of times is Kyle Shanahan. He's in a. In a spot. I looked up his numbers as a head coach. He's only eight games over.500, but he's eight and four in the playoffs. And we saw him lose the Super Bowl.

[B]

The first chief Super Bowl.

[A]

First chief chief super bowl win. And then the crazy super bowl he lost to the Chiefs when they actually scored first in overtime. Criticism of him. I go for the touchdown and all the things that go with it. Kyle Shanahan is a heck of a football coach. Big moments, big games have not been the best for him because they have been so close. And in the Bill's case, it's so close to getting there. In his case, so close to winning. Had the lead in the fourth quarter, had the lead in overtime.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Against the Chiefs and lost both times.

[B]

Let me ask you, do you think as someone who is just an NFL fan, but you don't obviously dive in exactly to what the NERS are doing. Do you think that it's time for them to move on from Kyle Shanahan?

[A]

I think it would only be because of. Maybe they're tired of each other a little bit.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think he is a talented play caller. I think he's a smart guy. I think if you look at him going to another team, it's a no brainer. Somebody is hiring him right away. But I do think there's a point, especially as that team ages out a little bit and they've had some issues that maybe they would move on. It would be, you know, it was sort of like it's not quite the length of time, but it was sort of like Andy Reid in Philadelphia.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it really got bad at the end. I'm not saying that's going to happen to the Niners. It could because they've had, you know, they had a bunch of injuries and then players not coming back the same or them moving on from players. But if you're a Niners fan, you're thinking, are we in like a soft rebuild here? Are we sort of trying to hold on to some guys and then go that way? That usually doesn't work in the NFL. You go one way or the other.

[B]

Well, to me it is interesting because Shanahan has been the head coach of the Niners for, since Sean McDermott has also been head coach of the Bills. Both very talented teams, both have had failures in the biggest moments. And I hear you saying like, you know, for Shanahan at maybe at some point the rubber would beat the road and just to be time for a fresh start. I, I just think it's, it is interesting because as someone who doesn't directly all the time follow the Niners, it's like I, I had the impression of that as well, of like, you know, what if maybe it does run its course at some point. But I don't feel that way about McDermott and the Bills.

[A]

Well, they both losing to the Chiefs and let's be honest, the nfc, I mean the Eagles won the super bowl last year. So it. Just because a team wins the super bowl doesn't mean it's a better conference. Right. Because the AFC has been tougher. It's like, where do you lose to the Chiefs? The Bills lost to him in the AFC and the Niners lost to him in The Super Bowl. But I think it's. I think Shanahan has a way. He likes to do things, and it's effective, but we will see. Now, I have a couple more guys on this list. One is Matt LaFleur for the Packers. I think he's a good football coach. He got a tremendous half beard.

[B]

Like, he is not an ugly man.

[A]

So is that why he's still coaching? No, he's. He's got a lot of wins.

[B]

Well, he's got, like, the cool guy look, which we know. Like, that is that there was the stint where the cool guy was getting hired.

[A]

Yeah, they like that. You know, where it's. It's. You don't have a beard. You just have the. The shadow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like the heavier shadow. He's got that going for him. I don't think he is rough. He is loved.

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

Are you okay?

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

You needed.

[B]

I don't even think he's that attractive. It was just. The joke was there.

[A]

Okay. He.

[B]

People are gonna be like, the joke wasn't there, but he is a.

[A]

A good coach. Not great in the playoffs. They had opportunities. They had an opportunity a couple years ago against the Niners. They should have won that game. I think, again, there you go with Shanahan. Like, sometimes that happens. Lost to the Eagles last year in the playoffs. Good. He's had. You know, he had Rogers, and he's got Love now as the starter. So they've won games, but he's three and five in the playoffs. I. I don't know. You know, there's no owner with Green Bay. They're all owners, and they just changed management, I think. Right. They. The new. I don't even think they refer to him as a general manager. I should know. Team president.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think maybe they do. Specifically. Oh, yeah, I think they do have. Both very good in a tough division. Let's see if the Bears come up. The Lions have been good. The Vikings have been good. But I think LaFleur is one of those guys that if you're a Green Bay fan, you want more Leflore.

[B]

More Leflore. Sorry.

[A]

Yes. More.

[B]

Not high.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I hear what you're saying, though, and I think if you're a Packers fan, you saw, I mean, everything with Rogers, obviously, but then also with Jordan. Love. You see a guy that has a lot of potential, that has played well in moments. You see, obviously, the history that the team and the franchises had and that the. The thought process that there is more that you can get out of. Of. Of the Packers.

[A]

I think Love and LaFleur are similar. They're good. They are darlings of a lot of.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

NFL people.

[B]

Yes. It's funny how the NFL world will pick their favorites.

[A]

So there's an old saying. It was from baseball. A hundred years ago, well before Jenna was born, there was a player named Mike Schmidt from the Phillies, and his line was, he played in Philadelphia. There's the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it in the newspaper the next day. Amazing, I would say sometimes in the NFL there is the thrill of the win and the agony of reading the analytics as to why you shouldn't have won. Do you know what I mean? I see sometimes people will go, yeah, this team won the game, but, man, the EPA of the other team was higher and this was better. And I'm like, that's all great. But there is still the game of one man whooping another man and a player coming up. The numbers may not show it, but they came up with a big moment. And I don't know if Jordan Love, he's shown flashes of being that guy, but I don't know if that's the case. So those two are tied together and they've made it to a certain point. Now the question is, do you consider Jordan Love this elite quarterback? Do you consider Matt LaFleur this elite coach?

[B]

Do you consider Jordan Love an elite quarterback?

[A]

No, I think he's very good.

[B]

Who was your tier of elite quarterbacks?

[A]

Elite quarterbacks.

[B]

Elite.

[A]

See, I would just say Allen, Mahomes, Burrow and Lamar.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

They would be my only four. But in terms of Jordan Love, I'll take Jalen Hurts nine days a week over Jordan Love.

[B]

But do you think it's because he's a.

[A]

He plays winning football in the biggest moments, Great team around him winning football in the biggest moments. I would say, honestly, I like Matt Stafford a lot. I think he's always been a darling of. Because he throws the ball so well and he makes spiral. Makes a lot of plays. But, you know, he didn't win a ton in Detroit and did get a Super bowl, which helps. But no, I. I think there's that notch down. I think Jordan Love is. Is a little bit like, oh, my God. Chargers.

[B]

Oh, my God. Justin Herbert.

[A]

Justin Herbert.

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

Talented guy, everybody. Love. Yeah, he's got gray hair. Gray hair, tremendous hair, in that case. But no, I wouldn't say elite. I've got two other guys on this list. One of them isn't like Harbaugh, but they're connected is Mike Tomlin. Mike Tomlin's deal is he has not had the quarterback. Let's be honest. Yeah, he has not had the quarterback and he doesn't have one this year either.

[B]

No. Do you see? I would say Tomlin, it's tough because it's the Steelers if they don't fire anything. I was gonna say if it. If Tomlin was coach of the Chargers, I'd be like, he is on the hot seat as opposed to this list of the pressure cooker.

[A]

He won a Super Bowl. He has won a lot of games. He is.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Always winning with. See this is where the slightly above mediocre hurts you because. Because you get known as this. Harbaugh's had a couple of years where it's gone south. He. Todd doesn't have those and he's won with not great quarterbacks. 11 games. Their performances in the playoffs have been bad. Like they've been getting either blown out or close to blown out in a lot of their playoff games. Haven't won one for a while. So the goal with them now he's got Aaron Rob. Good luck. Let's see what happens with him. But I don't think he's getting fired.

[B]

What would it take for you to think Tomlin would get fired?

[A]

It would take Mike Tomlin saying, I want to go.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yes. I think Mike Tomlin goes to the Steelers and says, I think it's time for me to go. There was these rumors that maybe they would trade him or if he wanted to go somewhere. I think it's going to take. I do not see the Rooney family saying, mike, you're fired. I think Mike Tomlin could say, let's say next year I. Let's just pick, say, I don't know, the Carolina Panthers or whatever. I don't know where he would want to go. If he says they're interested in me, I'm going to go.

[B]

If you were making this list, like if you are a part of the Rooney family, would you have Tomlin on the hot seat?

[A]

I don't know if I'd have him on the hot seat because they. I haven't given him the quarterback. I haven't helped him get the quarterback. I mean, that's the one thing.

[B]

It's kind of true though. Like you've given him crappy ingredients and you're like, why is this not good?

[A]

And he's probably made it better than it should be. I don't, I don't love the way he game coaches. I think he's way too conservative. But he doesn't I don't know. Would he be a different head coach? I don't know if he would be. Would he be a different head coach if he had Josh Allen or Joe Burrow? Maybe he would be. But unlike Harbaugh, who won that super bowl and those two have coached against each other a million times, he hasn't had the league MVP as his quarterback.

[B]

That's fair.

[A]

Now he hasn't won as many games as Harbaugh either.

[B]

It is so frustrating, though. Sometimes it's like you want to be mad at someone. So you're mad at Mike Tomlin.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like. And some of the decisions, you're like, dude, what this is. It's 2020 right now. 25. Where you're like, why are you punting here? What are we doing?

[A]

Yeah. He still does that.

[B]

Yeah. Where you're like, okay. But I do hear what you're saying it would take. I wonder how many. God. If you're a Steelers fan, though, how do you think you feel? I think you feel like you're like. But you're right, they haven't addressed quarterback, obviously. Now they have Rogers. We'll see what that will mean. But he is Aaron Rodgers in name only.

[A]

Yeah. Let's see how that works out for him. Maybe this will be the thing to make Tomlin go, get me out of here.

[B]

But even that, I just feel like he's. It would be so weird to see Tomlin on another sideline.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm not saying it wouldn't happen. I'm just saying it would take a while to like, take to adjust. Yeah.

[A]

It just. It's wild to think that from the time then I was a little kid to now, the Steelers have had three head coach.

[B]

That's. And you're old how. Just kidding. You're not.

[A]

I'm experienced.

[B]

You're. Yeah. You're. Yeah.

[A]

Yes. In the time it takes you to actually board that flight from Group 8.

[B]

Now boarding Premier Altitude Elite club members.

[A]

You could have bought a Hyundai on Amazon. Yes, that Amazon. Where you buy everything else.

[B]

Mid tier Altitude Elite. Feel free to board now.

[A]

So while you're waiting for them to make up new boarding groups, you can order your dream car and the dealer will have it ready in no time. Now boarding groups one through seven. So close. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-311-44603 for more details. Limited availability pickup through participating Hyundai dealer and select markets. The last coach I have on this list. Pressure to do more is Dan Campbell. And I like Dan Campbell.

[B]

I loved you Know why I love Dan Campbell? I do think that Hard Knocks made me shout out Hard Knocks. They do an amazing job. We did the interview with Pat Harris, senior director from Western New York. You can find it on the latest episode of the Buffalo plus podcast. But I will say, like, you saw all the. How do I want to say this? You saw the potential the last couple of seasons and the failures in the playoffs have been monumental.

[A]

Yeah. So, first of all, I just did it again. I said yes. I listen to our podcast sometimes and I hear myself, and I just want to say, mike, shut up and let her finish. So I shouldn't have even said it yet. I was agreeing with you, but I could just nod so you could say it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Secondly, Dan Campbell, what I think he deserves sort of like Sean McDermott in a different way. Culture changer came in and said, we're not the same old crappy Lions. He was aggressive. He brought a mindset. Yeah. The whole kneecaps and everything. But it was about being tough and. And a team that nobody wanted to play. And he brought those Lions fans back. It's great. He's had some tough losses in the playoffs. Oh, game. They should have won two years ago. And then with the number one record, you lose at home to the Commanders after they had their buy. So that is tough. And he lost both coordinators, so this is a big year for him.

[B]

That's an added element.

[A]

Yes. That is trying to say, okay, Dan, because he doesn't call plays on either side of the ball. So he lost both of his coordinators, one in the own division, one to the Jets. So it's a lot of pressure on him this year to show, you know, I say that about that. You know who else doesn't call plays? Mike Tomlin doesn't call plays, and John Harbaugh doesn't call plays. And technically, Sean McDermott doesn't call plays.

[B]

Yeah. So interesting.

[A]

Matt LaFleur does and Kyle Shanahan does. So in that case. So they are the ones who I had on a list of saying they're not going anywhere. But there is a lot of pressure because that you talk about. It's not pressure for your job, but it's like, do all that work, get to January, then we'll judge you.

[B]

It's so true.

[A]

It's tough to get.

[B]

And that is true for. Well, who do you think has the most. Who is poised to succeed in that pressure? Like, who do you think can actually.

[A]

Out of these.

[B]

Out of. Out of the guys that you. The Mike or Mike the Matt La flores, the Shawn McDermotts, the John Har. Harbaughs. Like, who do you.

[A]

I'm not being a homer here. It's Sean McDermott.

[B]

I agree.

[A]

He's got Josh Allen. They have been that close. I think the schedule, if things go well for them, gives them an opportunity to be the one seed, which I know they lost at home to the Chiefs. It's like every other thing. I think he's the most. Well, you would say Harbaugh has Lamar and he has a very good roster. But I think with those two guys, it's the idea of getting past that moment. For the Chiefs, it's getting. Or for the Ravens, it's getting by both the Chiefs and the Bills, it's. I guess it's the same. But the Bills have beaten the Ravens in the playoffs. It won't matter this year. Right. If you got to beat them again, if you want to get where you want to go. But I think everybody in the conference is happy that it appears the AFC west is going to continue to be more competent.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, honestly, that has been such a key, too.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

For the Chiefs is just to be able to roll through the division and go from there.

[A]

All right. The guys I have on the list and we can go through these. Pressure to be fired and this. This hurts me to say because he's one of our favorite people covering the Bills. Getting to know. But it's Brian Dable. And I think the way the organization moved and obviously had something to do with it. I think sticking with Daniel Jones after that playoff year and he coached his butt off that year, and Saquon was a really big help to Daniel Jones. And then they got themselves in this position of sort of prioritizing Jones over Saquon. At the time, I thought, pay Seguin, franchise Daniel Jones, play it out another year, go get another quarterback. They didn't do that and they got stuck with Daniel Jones. And then you saw what happened with Saquon. So I know Joe Shane's on this, but we're talking coaches. I think Dable's. He's got to win or he's got to get that kid dart in the game and show that he can bring him up. Yeah. Because he can coach young quarterbacks.

[B]

You know, I almost feel like in the beginning, D was a victim of his own success. Like having the outstanding year that he had his first season, that set the bar so much higher. And then the decisions that have been made since then and. Yeah, obviously.

[A]

And that's where I compare it to the Bills because Brandon bean and Shawn McDermott were smart enough to say, we made the playoffs, broke the drought, this team's not good enough. Went out and got Josh Allen took a step back and then have taken the steps up. I think that's a little self awareness for an organization. Maybe the Giants ownership didn't want to take a step back. I don't know which.

[B]

Yeah, but it's. What was Dan's quote of like, if you're gonna do it the right way, it might take longer, but you can.

[A]

Whatever Dan's quote was, he said.

[B]

Yeah, he said it wrong either way. But we love you, Dan. We miss you. But, yeah, I think for Dable, but you're right. Like, Jackson Dart, what can he do? Can that extend the timeline of Brian Dable being there and, like, look like Dable and Josh Allen had a special connection and I think he was one of the key guys that got Josh Allen to become Josh Allen. Now, I'm not saying Jackson Dart will become Josh Allen, but obviously if I'm Dart looking at it, I'm like, okay, he has the tools. I trust this guy. He can help me develop. Now it's up to Jackson Dart and what he decides and how it all plays out. But I think it's encouraging, at least in that way.

[A]

We'll see how the Giants play this. They've got Russell Wilson and Jamis.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, they. They have.

[A]

They'll play them for a little bit, but there'll be that moment, I think, when the Giants when Dable goes to ownership and says, I want to play the kid.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And we're going to see what we've got here. And they just let him do it. And then we see if there's progress. Because we all know watching the Bills that Josh Allen was all over the place in 2018, showed flashes, but you didn't know. But they stuck with him, obviously. And so we'll see if that ends up happening. The other guy I have on there, somebody Bill's fans know well is Mike McDaniel. There's no question he's on the hot seat.

[B]

It's so funny. I think back also, Hard Knocks. Shout out them again. But like the. Was it the in season. Hard Knocks. They did. Was it in season? It must have been.

[A]

No, it was. I'm trying.

[B]

I can't remember. I watch every season so they blur together, but I just remember being like, I don't know about this dude. Everyone was like, oh, he's so quirky. And which is fine. Like, you Be you. But I guess it just didn't seem. It didn't strike me as like, oh, yeah, I really believe in this guy. I'll put it that way.

[A]

Smart guy. He's got a great backstory. Not great, but what he overcame, I mean, obviously. And I think the players like him. My issue with the Dolphins is they don't have a strong team culture.

[B]

Well, it's almost. To me, it almost felt like he wanted the players to like him too much. Like, you know, when. Like a parent just wants to be a friend.

[A]

I never did that. I am now.

[B]

No, it's totally. There's a time and a place, but, like. Yeah. And I don't know anything about parenting, but I've just seen that I. I felt like the energy that I saw from Mike McDaniel was like. And I get it. Like, you are. He's a younger guy. He's around the same age as some of the players. When he first got in. Like, I. It makes sense to me, but I guess long term, I think there wasn't that established culture like you mentioned.

[A]

They talk about. There's a lot of BS that goes on. You got people around the country, you know, like, very successful media person Colin Cowherd. He loves to talk about playing the. In the great cities, in the warm weather, and players will want to be there. And the. No taxes. Oh, that's. Yeah, that's fine. In the NFL. Players want to be in Buffalo, don't want to be in Miami. That should tell you something. NFL players, it is a brutal sport. Yes. They like some of the nice stuff. Culture, culture, culture. You're going to be in a place like. Players will go to Green Bay.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's Green Bay, Wisconsin. It makes Buffalo look like Manhattan. Okay. Players will go there because they have a culture that the packers have had. Foxborough. I mean, you could say it in Boston. It's Foxborough. It's in the middle there. Players will go there. So I'm saying is Miami has never built that culture, and I don't know where they are now. They're going to be making some moves.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think it's going to end poorly for him, and I think he's going to get fired this year.

[B]

I mean, I was very worried when the Dolphins hired him.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because I thought, like, here's a guy that could, you know, come in and completely revamp the Dolphins, and now it would be a contender for the Bills and the division and all that stuff, but it just has not turned out that way at all.

[A]

Another guy I have on this list is Kevin Stefanski. I feel for that guy.

[B]

I was about to say, like, he's.

[A]

40 and 44 with the Browns. Obviously they made a huge mistake getting rid of Baker. They had Baker. The best version of Baker came after he left the toxic environment. He's picking up the play calling this year. He's being smart. Like, if I'm going to go down, I'm going to go down calling my.

[B]

Honestly, I don't blame them, but they.

[A]

Have a horrible quarterbacking situation. They have Kenny Pickett. Yeah. They have Joe Flacco.

[B]

Joe Flacco.

[A]

I mean, they got Sanders and they got the kid that weighs like 150 pounds that they drafted. I just. I think if he gets fired, he's also somewhat of a darling of the coaching people.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I do think he has something in him to coach. I mean, it's funny you think he might get fired. He's 40 and 44. Hugh Jackson was 336 and 1 when he got fired. Wow. Yeah. That's bad.

[B]

That's not great.

[A]

Another guy I have on this list, I got three at the end that I'm just gonna throw. I'll just throw those three out there. Shane Steichen has not been there that long. The Colts are a mess. The quarterback situation is a mess. The ownership, Jim, or say, passing away. You never know what they're going to do. Yeah, the quarterback situation was bad because the guy, when they drafted him, it's not working out. He could be in trouble. Brian Callahan could be in trouble. He's only there one year with the Titans. He's got the new quarterback, the number one pick. He was 3 and 14. I don't know about Justin or Jonathan Gannon with the Cardinals. He's 12 and 22. He's got Kyler. It's one of those places. It's like, it's. It would be easy for them to move on. After another year. It would be a third year.

[B]

Zach Taylor.

[A]

That was the other.

[B]

I knew.

[A]

I. Zach Taylor.

[B]

I know you so well, Zac.

[A]

Unlike your husband, he just stops at the C. Yeah. Yes.

[B]

That's actually a very common way to spell that.

[A]

It is. I didn't know that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I didn't. I've learned so much about how to spell Zach.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Since you married one. He's got a losing record, winning record in the playoffs. They've had some injuries. He's got Joe Burrow. So with that comes great responsibility. We talk about Sean McDermott. This guy made a Super bowl with Joe Burrow and a really good defense that year because when they made it, it was the defense that saved him in Kansas City.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

As good as Burrow has been. But other than that it has not been great. And the defense fell apart. Say Burrows had some injuries.

[B]

I think that's. You look at. It's. What have you done for me lately in the NFL?

[A]

Well, I. That's when I look at Shawn McDermott and say all. Any other issues he's had? Josh Allen. Not the injury. Because Burrow had the injury. And he's won every year and won the division every year. Not so great defenses all the time and not so great talent on the defense all the time. But I think Zach Taylor's going to be in a spot a little bit to see how they do.

[B]

I'm actually surprised on these odds he has is he's 8 to 1 to be fired first. I guess this is coaches fired first. I don't have the odds for who's.

[A]

Number one on the list.

[B]

Brian Dable. Oh, it is four to one. So it goes Brian D. Four to one odds. Mike McDaniel. Five to one odds. And Shane or. And. Yeah. Shane Steichen. Six to one.

[A]

Yeah. And all, you know. Well, McDaniel's quarterback issue is different. I just don't think they've had.

[B]

I think that they have underperformed.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it just. It does seem like the culture is just. It's not playing out in the way that they thought.

[A]

And it's funny. Tua gets a lot of crap. I don't think he's a culture problem in the place. I think he's a good dude.

[B]

Honestly. I like Tua more than most people do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But obviously the injuries are a concern.

[A]

One last thing on that. Tua number 91, I think on the NFL's top 100. A little bit surprised he made it.

[B]

Yeah, me too.

[A]

But I do think he's shown ability. The problem with the Dolphins is they don't have the other part. Their defense wanted Vic Fangio out of the building. Then he wins a Super bowl the next year. And they also never have figured out the backup quarterback spot when two has been out and they've been horrendous when he's out.

[B]

And that's the issue is that I did rely on that.

[A]

But back to Zach Taylor to close it out. It's just the idea is it's pressure and he's had some losing seasons and missing the playoffs last year. They made their run. Terrible starts. They're trying to do different Things to get off to a better start. I still don't think the defense is right. Terrible management, ownership. I mean, look at what they've done with Trey Hendrickson and then also with their number one pick.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With his contract. So they find a way to get in their own way.

[B]

It's funny, man.

[A]

And they'll. But they'll. That's what teams will do. They'll do that and then they'll blame it on the coach. So I don't necessarily blame him, but he's got pressure on him this year.

[B]

Well, it's tough, too, when Joe Burrow is such a darling.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And. And there are moments last season where Joe Burrow did play phenomenal. And obviously the Bengals still lost. They still missed the playoffs, all that stuff. So that does play into how you are viewed. But some of that stuff, it's like, yeah, I mean, the general manager, all that.

[A]

Yeah. They've had a lot of issues. Jenna's usually the one to say this, but I am assuming most of you, as you've been watching, following along, are giving your opinions.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Make sure you comment in on what you think about one, what we've said about individual coaches. You may totally disagree on who's hot seat. Some of you may believe guys like Harbaugh and McDermott, you know, and Shanahan are in danger of losing their job. You never know what happens. And then in the other case, like, is there somebody we're missing here? You never know what happens in the NFL.

[B]

Yeah. But it is always wild to see how much things change.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Season over the season, just with. With what goes down. I mean, I, I would have said for the Bengals, if we were to talking about this last year, I'd be like, oh, really? You think Zach Taylor, like, on the hot seat. Hot seat. But yeah. Anything else?

[A]

No, I don't think so.

[B]

All right. Yeah. So comment in your thoughts, your comments, who you think should be fired, who you think will be fired, and who you think is on the hot seat in terms of the pressure cooker like Mike talked about.

[A]

And the one thing I did not bring up was ownership. I do think ownership plays such a huge part in this, in the way some people, like, who knows what Carolina is going to do at some point. So I mentioned. I guess I did mention it with Indy and Cincinnati, you know, and then you see the way the Steelers are. They don't want to fire anybody. So we'll see how it plays out. But, yeah, there's a few guys that are set and they're set and they're not going anywhere. But it's a. It is not for long.

[B]

NFL, what are your thoughts on Sean McVay?

[A]

I think he could coach wherever he wants. I think that he's won with the Rams. I think he's got the play caller. He's got the half beard. He's got the ugly wife.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. She's hideous.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah. You didn't catch the sarcasm. Where.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Heavy.

[A]

No, no, He's. He's already. What's he been to? Two Super Bowls. He won one. The guy can coach. Who knows how long he wants to do it. He could be the kind of guy that jumps out for a few years and then picks his spot to come back.

[B]

Just. His odds are higher than McDermott's. That's why I was just. He was one of the guys that I was kind of surprised by.

[A]

He's. He's to be fired. He ain't giving.

[B]

He's 25 to 1 and McDermott's 50 to 1.

[A]

How is Sean McVeigh 25 1?

[B]

I swear.

[A]

Yeah, he's not going anywhere.

[B]

That's why I was like, oh, that's weird. This is according to sports betting ag.

[A]

Okay, maybe it's just you throw one up there at a number, but, like. Yeah, I get. Yeah, I agree.

[B]

That's why I just. The list, that was the one that kind of stood out to me where I'm like, I don't know if I agree with that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Mike McDaniel had 311 odds at this time last year, is now second at 5 to 1 odds. That's pretty telling.

[A]

Yeah. Well, and they're also seeing the team look like they're going to try to rebuild.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

At least that's what it looks like.

[B]

That's fair. Okay. Thank you all so much for watching this episode of the league, presented by Stellar roofing, windows and siding for Mike Catalana and Dan Fates, who is on vacation. He will be back next week. We'll have. I'm sure he'll have plenty of hot days.

[A]

Oh, he will.

[B]

I was gonna say. I am Jenna Cotrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We always appreciate it. We will catch you next time here on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel, presented by Connors and Ferris.

[A]

SA.