I like to stay positive but the NFL is full of positives and negatives. And every year, at least one coach is fired by the midpoint of the season. I've compiled my own list of candidates that I think are most likely to lose their job by Week 8.
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1. Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles Rams
Jeff Fisher's tenure as a head coach with the Rams can be summed up in 3 words: "dedication to mediocrity." He's never had a winning season with the Rams but he's gone 7-9, most often, among other records as the Rams head coach and this is his final chance to prove himself and if the Rams don't improve, I have a feeling he may be out on the streets by the end of October. Like many other coaches, he's had his time and has not made the team significantly better and if they crash and burn, he's not coming back.
2. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars have been the off-season sweethearts this season and if they don't live up to the hype, Bradley surely won't have a job by the end of the year but I can see a scenario where the front office decides he's out the door much earlier. Unlike the pother coaches on this list, Bradley has helped improve the team but they haven't been much better in the standings and the front office may decide they need a new coach if their current one is that uninspiring and can't use the talent he has been provided over the past few years effectively.
3. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell is entering his 3rd year and has failed to make any changes that have made the Lions significantly better than when he took over. The Lions look like a team destined for failure. They have no distinct #1 receiver, no proven running back, and three stars on defense: Ziggy Ansah, DeAndre Levy, and Darius Slay. Then, the depth falls off a cliff. The Lions could easily start off the season with one or two wins and if that does happen, there's no reason why Caldwell should be able to keep his job.
4. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers
Mike McCoy has been a good coach for the Chargers when he took over but the Chargers have been regressing throughout the past couple of years. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball but they have continued to regress as a team since the first year McCoy has taken over. They have a wide range of results but if a disaster goes down in San Diego, which can be seen, he can definitely be without a job by Week 8.
5. Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
Pagano is the coach on this list most likely to keep his job by the end of the season. His security relies solely on one man: Andrew Luck. Luck was injured all last year, and I see no reason why he shouldn't return to his 2014 form when healthy. However, there is a part of me that can also see everything that can possibly go wrong, goes wrong and the Colts have an absolute disastrous start and Pagano is walking out the door before the season is over.
Dishonorable Mentions:
A list of coaches not included on this list that are likely safe by midseason but may have jobs in jeopardy by the end of the season if things don't quite go well
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
The Saints have won a Super Bowl with Payton but ever since BountyGate has taken place, the Saints defense has looked like a shell of its former self.
Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans
Mularkey may have only had one year in Tennessee but he did only take over as the interim guy and he didn't look all that well. Perhaps, the Titans will realize their mistake in keeping him there.
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
If the Bengals once again follow the Bengals tradition of losing in the first round of the playoffs, something has to give and the coach is most likely the one to suffer from the fallout.
