The NFL regular season has come to an end and it is likely to see some changing of the guard among current head coaches.
Every year “Black Monday,” the first Monday following the conclusion of the regular season, sees a wave of head coaches and central office executives being fired as teams that had disappointing seasons begin to change. leadership within the organization.
Last year, two coaches were fired the day after the season ended. The Chargers fired Anthony Lynn and the Jaguars fired Doug Marrone. Two teams already have interim head coaches, with Darrell Bevell leading the Jaguars after Urban Meyer was fired and Rich Bisaccia serving as the Raiders coach after Jon Gruden’s resignation.
Several other teams are likely to head to new coaches to lead their teams into the 2022 season. Sporting News is tracking which teams are making manager changes on “Black Monday.”
NFL coaches fired
- Vic Fangio, Broncos
- Urban Meyer, Jaguares
- Jon Gruden, Raiders (resigned)
This section will be updated.
NFL coaches in the hot seat
Will the Bears fire Matt Nagy?
There has long been talk that this will be the last season in Chicago for Matt Nagy. The 2018 NFL Coach of the Year has led the Bears into their first losing season under his leadership, but it will be the second time in his four years in charge that Chicago has missed the playoffs.
Much of the concern with Nagy at the helm has been the inability to develop first-round quarterbacks. Mitch Trubisky was second overall in 2017, but he never became the star the Bears hoped for. After a season of struggles since 2021’s 11th overall pick Justin Fields, the Bears are looking for someone who can ensure the former Ohio State communicator is the face of the franchise going forward.
Nagy reportedly came into Sunday’s game against the Vikings knowing it would be his last with the Bears. And on Saturday, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported that Sunday would be his last game coaching Chicago.
Boomer has been told that Matt Nagy has been told that he will not return as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
– Morning show with Boomer and Gio (@WFANmornings) January 5, 2022
MORE: Best Bears Replacements For Matt Nagy
Will the Seahawks fire Pete Carroll?
Pete Carroll has led the Seahawks to levels of success unprecedented in franchise history. They made the playoffs in five straight seasons, including back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, the first of which brought a title to Seattle for the first time. The Seahawks ended up in the basement in 2021 for the first time since Carroll took over, and he has admitted it’s been a frustrating season. It also looks like it could be his last in Seattle.
Carroll’s vocal disappointment on the team has led to fans calling out the winningest coach in team history. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler told 710 AM Seattle that Carroll still has a lot of influence over the team, and that he is more likely to retire or resign than to be fired by the organization. That hasn’t stopped speculation from others like Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, speaking to 670 The Score, that Carroll could be on the move and could be an option for a team like the Bears.
Will the Vikings fire Mike Zimmer?
Another change in the NFC North could come after Sunday’s game between Vikings and Bears. Minnesota has posted its second straight losing season, the first time it has had two consecutive years below .500 since Mike Zimmer took over as head coach. It was also the second season that the Vikings’ defense was one of the worst in the league.
The Vikings ownership reportedly met last week to discuss personnel changes involving both the head coach and general manager positions, with The Athletic reporting that a move could be made on the future on Monday. Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman. La Canfora reported to CBS Sports on Saturday that the team is expected to leave Zimmer at the end of the season.
Will the Giants fire Joe Judge?
In December, a report came out from SNY that Giants co-owner John Mara has kept faith that Joe Judge is the right head coach to stay in New York. Instead, New York’s biggest replacement this offseason appears to be in the front office, with the likely retirement or firing of general manager Dave Gettleman. Reports have been swirling for a while that Gettleman won’t be returning, but despite the losing second season in a row under Judge, it could appear he’s safe.
Judge delivered a strange spiel following his team’s crushing loss to the Bears in Week 17, where he defended his team and said many former New York players would like to continue playing for the Giants. It’s possible the performance since that report (0-3 record, outmatched 84-19) combined with his tirade could lead to Mara firing both Gettleman and Judge and simply hitting the reset button again. But since Tom Coughlin’s resignation, no Giants coach has lasted more than two seasons. New York might want to end that streak and give Judge one last chance to change course.
Will the Broncos fire Vic Fangio?
When George Paton took over as general manager of the Broncos in 2021, it was reported that Vic Fangio had to lead the playoffs in 2021 or would be out after the season. The Broncos missed the postseason, but even after the chase’s elimination, Fangio has remained in command.
That certainly does not mean that Fangio will be present in 2022. Florio reported in December that Fangio was already a candidate to be fired. With new owners joining the team in 2022 and already working under a CEO who didn’t hire him, Fangio could be dating new faces at the top looking for a change. La Canfora reported that Fangio is not expected to return after his team’s last game against the Chiefs on Saturday.
Update: The Broncos fired Vic Fangio Sunday morning following his 28-24 loss to the Chiefs in Week 18. He was 19-30 in three seasons as head coach.