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Which NFL Head Coaches Are on the Hot Seat Down the Stretch?

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the first half of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the first half of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

John Fox, Chicago Bears

If Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is on the hot seat, Chicago Bears head coach John Fox’s chair must be boiling over.

Fox commands one of the worst teams in the NFL right now. At 2-8, the Bears are going nowhere fast. And they have an arguably better roster than the 1-9 49ers right now, albeit with some injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler, linebacker Leonard Floyd and guard Kyle Long. Losing wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to a four-game suspension doesn’t help either.

But these factors don’t help Fox much at all.

A report from NFL Network (h/t Chris Emma of CBS Local) suggested Fox was at odds with the front office. And the locker room is disintegrating around him as well.

It’s not a good look at all. And Chicago is certainly in a position where moving on might be the only thing possible to fix this franchise.

Why He Stays

It’s hard to find a discernible reason why Fox remains as head coach. One of the only thoughts is the Bears realize Cutler isn’t going to be the answer. Ever. And a change under center allows the rest of the offense to — somewhat — fall into place.

Why He Goes

Fox’s Bears have shown zero improvement since the 6-10 finish a year ago. In many areas, Chicago is worse.

If the locker room no longer believes in him, and the general state of things remain a mess, parting ways with Fox appears to be the best option.