NFL Writer Puts 4 Head Coaches on Hot Seat Before 2026 Season

The 2026 NFL regular season looms, and CBS Sports columnist Zachary Pereles has named four head coaches who find themselves under intense pressure to deliver results. Among the quarterbacks and draft picks of the league, Pereles singled out Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles, Aaron Glenn, and Zac Taylor as coaches facing heightened scrutiny as Week 1 approaches.

Dan Quinn, who led the Washington Commanders to an improbable NFC Championship Game appearance following a 12-5 season in 2024, now faces the challenge of reversing a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2025. The Commanders' downfall was due to the NFL's worst-ranked defense, leading to an offseason overhaul that includes new offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.

Todd Bowles, who steered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to three consecutive NFC South titles before a slump that saw them miss the playoffs with a 7-9 record, is also on Pereles' list. The Buccaneers' recent setbacks, notably the departures of star players Mike Evans and Lavonte David, increase questions about the franchise's future as Baker Mayfield's last season under contract nears.

Aaron Glenn, a defensive back entering his second season, faces uncertainty as he tried to stabilize a team that finished 3-14 in 2025. Pereles predicted that if Glenn fails to turn things around, he may not receive another chance. The New York Jets have bolstered their defense, a field where Glenn specializes, providing some hope for his future with the team.

Zac Taylor, the AFC's second-longest-tenured head coach behind Andy Reid, finds himself under pressure as he aims to end the Cincinnati Bengals' three-year playoff drought. With a reinforced defense, Taylor hopes to rekindle the Bengals' title aspirations and return them to contention in his eighth season.