Several NFL coaches face mounting pressure as the 2024 regular season approaches, with questions emerging about job security for some amid expectations and recent team performances. While a few head coaches confront immediate challenges, others may feel increased scrutiny depending on their teams’ starts and overall results.

Among the coaches under early pressure is Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his fourth season, Bowles holds a 35-33 regular-season record and has guided the team to three NFC South titles. However, the Buccaneers’ collapse last season—going 2-7 in the final nine games to finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs—raised doubts about his future. The organization has chosen to retain Bowles, but he likely needs a rebound campaign with at least ten wins, improved play from quarterback Baker Mayfield under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, and postseason success. The Buccaneers’ defense, which Bowles personally oversees, also requires significant improvement.

Dave Canales, head coach of the Carolina Panthers, faces scrutiny after leading the team to its first playoff appearance since 2017, despite finishing with an 8-9 record. The Panthers’ inconsistent season included a 1-3 start, a midseason stretch of alternating wins and losses, and ultimately a wild-card round loss. Canales, 13-21 in two seasons, was hired largely to develop Bryce Young, the Panthers’ 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick. Young’s inconsistent performances have led Canales to relinquish play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik. The coach’s job security may hinge on Young’s progression and a more consistent offense this year.

Aaron Glenn, in his first year as head coach of the New York Jets, has experienced a difficult debut. Glenn became the first Jets coach to lose his first seven games, concluding his inaugural season with a 3-14 record and the franchise’s 15th consecutive playoff absence. To address shortcomings, Glenn overhauled his staff, bringing in Frank Reich as offensive coordinator and Brian Duker as defensive coordinator, but will take over defensive play-calling himself. With the Jets acquiring Geno Smith as a temporary quarterback solution, another losing season could trigger a high draft pick and possibly lead to a coaching change.

Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers, despite impressive regular-season success—76-40-1 over seven seasons with six playoff appearances—is also facing increased pressure. His postseason record has been less impressive, with only one playoff victory since 2021 and a 3-6 overall playoff record. A four-game losing streak to end last season, capped by a wild playoff loss to the Chicago Bears in which Green Bay squandered a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, has unsettled some fans. Though LaFleur received a multi-year contract extension earlier this year, his job status could come under greater scrutiny if the Packers fail to advance in the postseason again.

Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, appears more secure with a Super Bowl title, two NFC championship appearances, and three division titles over five seasons. However, last year’s disappointing loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round followed a late-season fade and playoff defeat to Tampa Bay the prior year, raising questions. Sirianni enters the 2024 season aiming to replicate a rebound akin to the one following the 2023 midseason slump that led to Philadelphia’s Super Bowl victory, despite adjustments such as the departure of wide receiver A.J. Brown and the introduction of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts also faces conditions that could impact his tenure. After an 8-2 start last season and speculation as a potential Coach of the Year candidate, an Achilles injury to quarterback Daniel Jones derailed the team, resulting in a seven-game losing streak and a missed playoff appearance. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, encouraged by the early-season performance, has retained Steichen, who is now 25-26 over three seasons. With Jones healthy and under contract through 2026, a return to early-season form would likely stabilize Steichen’s position.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor, entering his eighth season, confronts challenges following a 6-11 finish last year and a third consecutive season without the playoffs. The Bengals’ slow starts have been a recurring issue, interrupted temporarily by a 2-0 start last season before quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury that sidelined him for nine games. With Burrow’s health paramount, the team expects a revamped defense including new acquisition Dexter Lawrence to bolster their playoff prospects. Taylor’s future may depend largely on breaking the recent postseason drought.

As the NFL preseason progresses, the performances of these coaches and their teams will be closely watched, with some facing make-or-break seasons amid high expectations and organizational ambitions.