Jacksonville Jaguars

5 NFL Hot Seat Coaches And Whether They Should Stay or Go

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

One thing about the NFL hot seat is everybody knows who is on it but nobody can predict who will end up being the one scorched by it.

There are a number of head coaches around the league who know their job security may solely rest on the final four games of the 2016 season. If they can’t finish strong and provide some sort of glimpse that a corner is being turned, then all bets are off. Decisions will be weighed as to whether any of them deserve another year on the jobe.

Here are the five names who are hottest under the collar. Should they stay? Should they go? We break it down.

Gus Bradley (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Why he should stay: Honestly of all the coaches on this list, Bradley is the toughest one to make an argument for. One thing he has going for him is being able to identify quality talent and assembling it. However, much of that credit gets siphoned off by the front office. He’s personable and seems like a good guys. Somebody teams would want running the show. The problem is he’s not accomplishing the vital aspect of his job.

Why he should go: That aspect of course is he’s not winning. Since taking over in 2013 the Jaguars are 14-46 under his direction. Whatever it is that coaches must do in order to get their teams over the hump, he hasn’t done it. Many are surprised he hasn’t been fired already given the utter lack of improvement. In fact quarterback Blake Bortles has badly regressed from the form he flashed in 2015. Bradley was an excellent coordinator but it’s apparent the head job is too much for him.

Prediction: Fired

Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis walks the sideline during the pregame warmups for their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Marv Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)

Why he should stay: This is not uncharted territory for Lewis. He’s had down years in the past and understands how to adjustment and dig out of such holes. His experience can’t be discounted and he understands how to build a complete team on both sides of the ball. The law of averages says he’s bound to break through in the playoffs at some point, right? Regardless there is no guarantee that putting an end to him will lead to better things.

More from NFL Mocks

Why he should go: At the same time change is good. Lewis has established who he is by this point. He’s an excellent team builder and terrific reviver of trouble player careers. Unfortunately he’s also ice cold in the playoffs. Failing to win a sinle postseason game in what will be 13 years showcases where his ceiling is. It’s hard to imagine it getting any better than its been. Cincinnati gave him plenty of chances and it didn’t work out. That’s how it goes.

Prediction: Stays

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

John Fox (Chicago Bears)

Why he should stay: Is it really fair to expect excellence from a head coach who inherited a rebuilding team after two years and a myriad of injuries. Yes, John Fox has a history of quick turnarounds but nobody is perfect. He’s done a fine job of keeping his players motivated and playing hard even with the 2016 postseason out of reach with four games left. There is also something of value in continuity, and it’s impossible to build in such a short time.

Why he should go: Fox will likely finish with a worse record this year than he did last season. There have been frequent signs of discipline problems on the field, not to mention some questionable game management. He’ll be 62-years old in 2017 and the Bears are likely to draft their quarterback of the future. Fox doesn’t have the luxury of time, nor does he have any experience actually developing a QB out of college.

Prediction: Fired

Nov 6, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles looks on in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the New York Jets 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Bowles (New York Jets)

Why he should stay: Bowles had the Jets a game away from the playoffs in 2015. A year later age has begun to catch up with the roster. Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis are showing it more than others. To say nothing of the selfish actions by guys like Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. Bowles hasn’t really had a chance to build his team, instead trying to forge ahead with the one he inherited from Rex Ryan. Now he’s being blamed for its failures.

Why he should go: Bowles is a tremendous defensive mind but is he a leader of men? He inherited a group of very strong-willed players and clearly hasn’t been able to keep them under control. The significant regression of the team is hard to ignore. Sometimes it looks like a coach and an organization just aren’t a good fit. What the Jets need is somebody who can finally fix that troublesome quarterback spot. Bowles isn’t equipped for that.

Prediction: Stays

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly reacts on the sideline during the second half against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Chip Kelly (San Francisco 49ers)

Why he should stay: Kelly has shown he can win in the NFL. Yet like every coach he’ll go only as far as his roster can take him. The 49ers are just not the same team they were three years ago. The talent pool dried up so fast due to retirements and free agent losses. Kelly walked into a situation that was already spiraling out of control, much thanks to the poor mismanagement by GM Trent Baalke. What can be expected to happen from Kelly after one year?

Why he should go: People like to say the 49ers go into their games well-prepared. Maybe they do but it’s clear none of their opponents are surprised by anything they do. Kelly’s once vaunted offense hasn’t gotten much respect in recent months. Defenses don’t fear it and have long since found ways to keep it check. Maybe that would change if Kelly found an actual answer at quarterback, but perhaps it’s time to admit the man belongs in college.

Prediction: Stays

This article originally appeared on