Ranking five AFC coaches under most pressure in 2024: A pair of Super Bowl winners looking to rebound

The AFC is the dominant conference in the NFL, and if we were to power rank the coaches on the hot seat entering 2024, the majority would belong in the NFC. But that in no way means there aren’t any in the AFC who are under pressure this season.

Below, we will rank the top five coaches in the AFC under the most pressure this year. A coach’s placement on this list does not necessarily mean he is fighting for his job in 2024, but he is under pressure for one reason or another.

Honorable mentions

Mike McDaniel: When will the Miami Dolphins start beating playoff teams?
Jim Harbaugh: How quickly can he turn around the Los Angeles Chargers?
Mike Tomlin: Will his offense finish in the bottom half of the league for the sixth consecutive season? The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

5. Antonio Pierce

Maxx Crosby’s trade threat worked, as the Las Vegas Raiders elevated Pierce from interim coach to full-time lead man. The former New York Giants linebacker went 5-4 as the Raiders coach in 2023 and registered three double-digit wins in those nine games. His defense was incredible, as the Raiders led the NFL in scoring defense when Pierce took over.

Pierce is a “players coach” who knows how to motivate his guys. I have no concerns about the defense, but what about the offense? Vegas couldn’t get Kliff Kingsbury and instead hired Luke Getsy to take over at offensive coordinator, whom Chicago Bears fans despised. The Raiders also didn’t exactly find their quarterback of the future this offseason. 

Vegas isn’t expected to make the Super Bowl next year, but can Pierce fan the spark he created last year into a legitimate flame? 

4. Sean Payton

The Denver Broncos traded for Payton in 2023, and while they did improve to 8-9 under his care last season, Denver had to start over at quarterback following Russell Wilson’s struggles. The Broncos took on the largest dead cap…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-five-afc-coaches-under-most-pressure-in-2024-a-pair-of-super-bowl-winners-looking-to-rebound/

Author : Jordan Dajani

Publish date : 2024-08-27 12:27:15

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