NFL: Jim Harbaugh Is on the Hot Seat, but Matt LaFleur Is Still Safe

After just four weeks of competition, the 2026 NFL regular season is already beginning to reveal some early trends.

With about a quarter of the schedule now played, some teams have found their rhythm, while others are off to a particularly worrisome start. Five teams remain winless, a situation that could quickly have consequences in the front offices.

In a league where patience seems to be a rare commodity, head coaches are often the first to pay the price for poor results. A disastrous start to the season can be enough to spark the first rumors of a firing, especially when the coach doesn't have a recently extended contract or extenuating circumstances related to his roster.

The case of Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, however, appears very different. Despite the potential frustrations of Packers fans, his team has faced several roster issues beyond his control. Most importantly, LaFleur received a multi-year contract extension in January. It would therefore be very surprising to see the franchise make such a drastic decision so quickly.

The situation nonetheless highlights a broader trend in the NFL: coaching jobs have become extremely precarious. Ten coaches have already been replaced during the last offseason, tying the record for the most changes in a single offseason.

Nine NFL Coaches Already on the Hot Seat

Owners now seem to be giving coaches less time to build a competitive team. This impatience, however, comes at a particularly challenging time, marked by constantly changing rosters, shifts in offensive and defensive schemes, and limited use of the preseason to implement new playing philosophies.

As Week 5 approaches, LaFleur can therefore still work with some peace of mind. For several of his counterparts, the situation is far less comfortable.

Nine coaches, listed in alphabetical order, are already emerging as the main potential targets if results do not improve quickly. Their futures could hinge on the coming weeks, as each additional loss risks intensifying the pressure from management and fans.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.