CBS Sports flags five NFL coaches under pressure entering 2026
Zac Taylor, Dan Quinn, Shane Steichen, Aaron Glenn and Todd Bowles face heightened scrutiny after a period of significant coaching turnover across the league.
CBS Sports has identified five NFL coaches facing the greatest pressure ahead of the 2026 season: Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor, Washington’s Dan Quinn, Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen, the New York Jets’ Aaron Glenn and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles.
The assessment follows 10 coaching changes last offseason, after eight and seven changes in the two preceding seasons. It represents a pre-season judgement rather than confirmation that any coach has been dismissed or formally placed on an organisational hot seat.
Taylor enters the season with Cincinnati having strengthened its defence and retained key offensive players. With the Bengals’ playoff drought reaching three years, CBS Sports says another failure to return to the postseason could place his position at risk.
Quinn’s standing has shifted sharply since he led Washington to a 12–5 record and an NFC Championship game appearance in 2024. The Commanders went 5–12 last season and face a difficult opening schedule, meaning a slow start could intensify scrutiny.
Steichen’s position is linked partly to the future of Colts general manager Chris Ballard and the recovery of quarterback Daniel Jones from an Achilles tear. Indianapolis finished 8–9 last season, while Glenn must improve a Jets team that used three starting quarterbacks in 2025 and had a defence that finished without an interception.
Bowles, meanwhile, is under pressure to return Tampa Bay to the playoffs and substantially improve its defence. The Buccaneers have recorded between eight and 10 wins in each of his four seasons, but CBS Sports says anything short of a playoff return and defensive improvement would increase questions around his future.
