NFL coaches fired this year

With the conclusion of the 2021 regular season, many teams have decided that a change is necessary in order to succeed in the future. A few teams have decided that the best way to improve in the future is by parting ways with the head coach and general managers of the team.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars received former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer this year but got fired midway through his first season. They finished last in the AFC South and ended the season with a disappointing 3-14 record. However , the team is hopeful for stronger years in the future due to their young quarterback, Trevor Lawerence. The Jags are the very first draft pick for the 2022 NFL draft and are expected to receive Michigan’s edge Aiden Hutchinson.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans concluded the season with a 4-13 record and finished last in the AFC South. The Texans hired David Culley in January 2021 and was released in January 2022. Going into the season the Texans were the worst team in the league but concluded the season with the third draft pick for the 2022 draft. The Texans had to revise their defense which was centered around defensive end JJ Watt who is now on the Arizona Cardinals. Culley previously worked under Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for 17 years. In those years he had even won a Superbowl so the Texans had very high hopes for Culley but were disappointed with his performance.

New York Giants

The New York Giants finished the 2021 season with a 4-13 record and a last place finish in the NFC East. Last year, the Giants placed second so this was a surprise. The Giants released head coach Joe Judge who was only there for one year and their general manager, Dave Gettleman, retired after being with the Giants for three years. The Giants had to start backup quarterback Jake Fromm after starter Daniel Jones got injured in week 13. The Giants need to focus on getting a new quarterback this year due to Jones 62.8% completion rate and when Fromm started he only threw for 25 yards and had a 6/17 completion rate. If the Giants want a better future, a quarterback would be a good place to start.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears concluded the season with a 6-11 record finishing third in the NFC North. The Bears parted ways with head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace due to the Bears inability to make the playoffs. The multiple bad plays and the lack of faith in now backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky are a few of the reasons why Nagy was fired. The Bears have Justin Fields who has great potential and had an amazing rookie season but needs a better and more creative head coach and stronger offensive plays in order to be successful in the future. However, the Bears defense also needs some work seeing it has declined more and more over the past two years. Taking advantage of the free agents should also be a priority for the Bears this season.

Denver Broncos

At the conclusion of the Broncos season they ended up 7-10 and were last in the AFC East. They improved their win record by two from last year and started Teddy Bridgewater this season. However, after many seasons of not placing well and not making playoffs with head coach Vic Fangio the franchise decided to release him in hopes of bringing in a fresh set of eyes for the 2022 season

Minnesota Vikings

This season the Minnesota Vikings ended the season with a 8-9 record and second in the NFC North. After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, the Vikings released head coach Mike Zimmer after seven seasons. Along with Zimmer they fired general manager Rick Spielman. Zimmer and Spielman had created a very negative environment in the past couple of seasons and their players were often unhappy and unable to comply with Zimmer’s demands so after consideration the organization decided it would be best to let both of them go. The Vikings are now redoing their program and are hopeful for the future, possibly including playoffs in the 2022 season.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins were one of the few teams to fire their head coach after having a winning season. Finishing 9-8 and third in the AFC East the Dolphins released head coach Brian Flores. Flores led the team to their second back to back winning season since 2004. However, many say that Flores and Tagovailoa had a very strenuous relationship.  Flores and Tagovailoa had a huge argument during halftime at the Titans game and led to them losing and getting eliminated from playoffs. The Dolphins are starting the 2022 season fresh and with a new coach.

Las Vegas Raiders 

The Raiders had the best record of all teams that fired a head coach this season. They concluded the season with a 10-7 record and second in the AFC West. The team was expecting to fire head coach Jon Gurden if they didn’t win a playoff game and they did not. They were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals 26-19. Along with Gurden they fired general manager Mike Mayock. The raiders need to improve their defense next season along with getting a new head coach and general manager. With a better defense the team could have a major shot at the playoffs next year.

Overall, many teams have to be very active in the offseason in order to set themselves up for a successful season next year.