Last week we debuted the “Wednesday Worry List” — we’re still workshopping that name — looking at head coaches that were either firmly on the hot seat, or in danger of joining that list.
Now with two weeks of the season behind us, the list is starting to sort itself out.
This week just two coaches remain firmly on the hot seat, while a third has slid down the rankings a bit. Two other coaches slid down even further, while another coach has made his debut on the rankings.
Coaches firmly on the hot seat
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
After the Miami Dolphins were blown out by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, head coach Mike McDaniel had this to say: “I would say the good news and the positive is I don’t see how it could be worse,” McDaniel said of the team’s 33-8 loss to Indianapolis.
The Dolphins welcomed the New England Patriots to Hard Rock Stadium for their home opener, a venue that last saw a Patriots victory back in September of 2019. Despite getting over 300 passing yards from Tua Tagovailoa and a punt return touchdown, Miami fell to 0-2 on the young season.
And in a sign of how things are in South Beach, a plane circled Hard Rock Stadium calling for McDaniel’s dismissal.
Now they face a trip to Buffalo to take on the Bills during a short week. An embarrassing showing from the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football could seal his fate
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
The New York Giants fell to 0-2, but did so in rather dramatic fashion. A moonball from Russell Wilson to Malik Nabers in the closing seconds gave the Giants the lead late, but the Dallas Cowboys got into range for Brandon Aubrey, who drilled a 64-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.
Aubrey then won the game for Dallas late in the extra frame, converting from 46 yards out.
Wilson and the Giants offense performed much better against the Cowboys than they did in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, as New York put 37 points on the board and Wilson threw a trio of touchdown passes. But given where Daboll was coming into the season, and how difficult New York’s schedule is this year, Daboll is likely going to stay on this list for a while.
In the fashion of the “Other Teams Receiving Votes” category you see in college football polls, are two coaches to watch in the weeks ahead.
Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Dave Canales was set to jump up in these rankings, right behind Brian Daboll, early Sunday evening. The Carolina Panthers trailed the Arizona Cardinals by a 27-3 score early in the third quarter, and it looked as if the Panthers would fall to 0-2 in blowout fashion.
But then Carolina scored 19 unanswered points, roaring back to make it a one-score game with under two minutes remaining. After a touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Hunter Renfrow, the Panthers recovered their onside kick, giving them a chance at stealing the win.
While that effort fell short — even with some penalties on Arizona that gave Carolina a few extra chances — the fight the Panthers showed in that game speaks well of Canales’ leadership. We’ll drop him down this list.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan’s “coaching malpractice” had him on the hot seat after a Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos. While the Tennessee Titans fell to 0-2 on the season with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the team took some steps forward, even in defeat.
Combine that small improvement with the presence of a rookie quarterback, and Callahan drops down the list.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Kevin Stefanski is in a difficult position, of that there is no question. His starting quarterback is roughly my age, the team is still dealing with the effect of the Deshaun Watson trade (and contract), and even with that Cleveland could have knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
But they ran into a buzzsaw in Week 2, as they lost to a Baltimore Ravens team that was coming off their loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
Now the Browns are 0-2, and Stefanski is now 3-16 over the past two seasons. He has been dealt a bad hand, but sometimes that can doom a head coach.
Coaches that can breathe easier right now
Here are two coaches that were in the “coaches to watch” category last week, but can probably feel a little better about where things stand heading into Week 3.
Albeit for different reasons.
Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
We reserved judgment on Shane Steichen after Week 1, placing him in the “coaches to watch” category. Was their blowout win over the Miami Dolphins more a reflection on Mike McDaniel’s team, or are the Colts for real?
After knocking off the Denver Broncos, we’re starting to believe.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Taylor was also in the “coaches to watch” category after Week 1, given how close the Cincinnati Bengals were to losing to the Cleveland Browns.
But now the Bengals are 2-0, and Taylor managed to guide Cincinnati to a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars despite losing Joe Burrow to injury. Now, with Burrow facing surgery for a toe injury and sidelined for around three months, Taylor is turning to Jake Browning.
With Burrow sidelined and Taylor forced to play a backup for the bulk of the season, that likely gives him a level of security.
