NFL Black Monday 2025: All the Coaches Fired, Retained, and on the Hot Seat
The NFL’s Black Monday is the one day in the football calendar that no coach wants to see their name in the headlines. It’s the day when franchises clean house and make tough calls on leadership to reshape their futures. This year’s Black Monday brought no shortage of drama. Let’s take a closer look at who’s staying, who’s going, and who may be under intense scrutiny.
Fired: Doug Pederson – Jacksonville Jaguars
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Doug Pederson’s journey with the Jaguars has come to an end, and it’s a bittersweet departure. When he arrived, Pederson brought hope to Jacksonville and helped Trevor Lawrence rebound from a disastrous rookie season. But after a promising first year, the team stagnated. Their 4-13 record this season sealed Pederson’s fate.
Fired: Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots
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Jerod Mayo’s head coaching tenure in New England was one of the shortest in recent memory. After just one season, and a 4-13 record, owner Robert Kraft decided to move on. The Patriots were plagued by locker room drama and lackluster performances, which made Mayo’s dismissal almost inevitable.
Fired: Matt Eberflus – Chicago Bears
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Chicago’s decision to fire Matt Eberflus midseason wasn’t a shock. The Bears, who started 4-8, were hoping for a spark under Eberflus but never found it. His struggles to develop rookie quarterback Caleb Williams were a major factor in his dismissal, and the Bears are currently in the market for a coach who can develop their young star and turn the franchise around.
Fired: Dennis Allen – New Orleans Saints
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Dennis Allen’s tenure in New Orleans felt doomed from the start. Allen inherited a roster burdened by massive contracts and little flexibility, which made his job almost impossible. With Allen gone, the Saints are in full rebuild mode. It’s not going to be pretty, but at least they’ve got a clean slate—sort of.
Fired: Robert Saleh – New York Jets
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The Jets were the first team to pull the trigger this season. They wasted no time making changes and fired Robert Saleh after just five games. The move was seen as a desperate attempt to salvage the season, but it didn’t work. New York finished 4-12, and questions remain about how much of the blame lies with Saleh versus the team’s overall dysfunction.
On the Hot Seat: Mike McCarthy – Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has had a rollercoaster tenure. After three consecutive 12-5 records, McCarthy’s team stumbled to a 7-10 finish in 2024. Worse, they once again flopped in the playoffs, reinforcing the narrative that Dallas can’t get over the hump. With McCarthy’s contract expiring, Jones is at a crossroads. McCarthy isn’t a failure, but he hasn’t been the difference-maker Jones envisioned.
On the Hot Seat: Zac Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals
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Two years ago, Zac Taylor led the Bengals to a Super Bowl and established himself as a rising star. But the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league, and Taylor’s shine is starting to wear off. Cincinnati’s 2024 campaign was marred by inconsistency, injuries, and questionable play-calling. For now, ownership isn’t making any rash decisions, but patience isn’t infinite. Taylor’s ability to right the ship in 2025 will determine if he’s still the guy in Cincinnati.
On the Hot Seat: Brian Callahan – Tennessee Titans
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Brian Callahan’s first season as head coach of the Titans wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Tennessee’s offense sputtered, and while rookie quarterback Will Levis showed glimpses of potential, the team’s 5-12 record didn’t inspire much confidence. With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Titans are eyeing another young quarterback, which raises the question: Is Callahan the right coach to develop him? The jury’s still out.
On the Hot Seat: Antonio Pierce – Las Vegas Raiders
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Taking over midseason as interim head coach, Antonio Pierce led the Raiders to a 2-3 record. Still, interim tags are tricky. Raiders ownership will take their time deciding whether Pierce is the man for the long haul or if they need to find a more experienced option. For now, Pierce’s fate hangs in the balance as the offseason begins.
Retained: Brian Daboll – New York Giants
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When Brian Daboll took over the Giants, he brought hope to a franchise that had seen better days. His first season in 2022 was a success and earned him Coach of the Year honors. But this past season was a far cry from that high point, with the Giants ending at 3-14. Despite the disastrous record, Giants co-owner John Mara isn’t ready to abandon ship. He reaffirmed his confidence in Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen, even if for the sake of continuity.
Retained: Shane Steichen – Indianapolis Colts
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Shane Steichen survived the Black Monday cut, and for good reason. The Colts wrapped up their season at 8-9—a record that might not scream success, but it’s a marked improvement from the chaos of recent years. Owner Jim Irsay is a fan of Steichen’s calm demeanor and strategic mind. What’s more, Steichen is being tasked with developing Anthony Richardson, their young dual-threat quarterback who’s shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency.
Retained: Mike McDaniel – Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins didn’t have the season they hoped for, finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs. Injuries, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion issues, plagued their year. Even so, Owner Stephen Ross isn’t ready to pull the plug. He’s banking on McDaniel’s ability to make adjustments and capitalize on the team’s explosive weapons, like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.