History proves that the NFL coaching carousel starts spinning in October. With September wrapping up, league experts are pinpointing the leaders most likely to face an in-season pink slip. While coaches like Aaron Glenn and Shane Steichen were on the bubble, their recent wins have kept them safe for now. However, other franchises are struggling, and the vibes are definitely off. ## Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) The Bucs are sitting at 0-3 and the situation looks dire. After an 8-9 finish last year, Bowles shook up his staff, but the strategy is failing. With Baker Mayfield dealing with a thumb injury and the offensive ecosystem regressing under coordinator Zac Robinson, the team feels stagnant. Keep a close eye on their Week 5 Thursday night matchup against the Cowboys—if they drop to 0-5, the front office might pull the trigger. ## Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) The Chargers were hyped as postseason contenders, but they are currently 0-3. Justin Herbert has regressed, and the offense is struggling to stay competitive despite high expectations. With a brutal schedule ahead against the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, and Rams, the team could easily fall to 1-6. If the Ls keep piling up, the franchise might look to make a move during their Week 7 bye. ## Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) Despite signing a contract extension, LaFleur is in hot water. After a rough Week 3 loss to the previously winless Falcons, fans are losing faith. The offense is a mess, and the defense has seemingly regressed. The Packers have a history of in-season firings, and given the team's lack of postseason success under his leadership, the organization might not be willing to wait for a turnaround. ## Why it matters The NFL is a results-driven league where main character energy is expected from head coaches. If these teams don't start putting Ws on the board immediately, we could see the first coaching casualties of 2026 within the next few weeks.
NFL coaching hot seats: Who is most likely to be fired first?
As the calendar turns to October, three NFL head coaches are feeling the heat as their teams struggle to gain momentum.

Source: CBS Sports ↗ · Rewritten with the help of AI — check the source for important details.
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