Players and coaches fighting for their jobs during second half of the season | A to Z Sports NFL newsletter
Our A to Z Sports NFL newsletter for November 12, 2025.
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As we enter the winter months of the NFL season, the stakes are becoming increasingly bigger. The pressure for coaches to win is immense, and player’s individual performances are put under the microscope. Jobs will be retained or lost over the next eight weeks. Some could go on to bigger and better things, while others could take a step back in their careers. Here are the top players and coaches with the most uncertain futures.
Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel: Many thought McDaniel would have been fired by now after getting off to a 1-6 start. However, he and the Dolphins have won two of their last three games, including a huge one over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. If Miami can finish strong down the stretch, McDaniel’s job may be saved. However, the Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier two weeks ago, and new GMs don’t often retain the previous regime’s coach.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: This pretty much goes hand-in-hand with McDaniel. Tagovailoa has underperformed and been injury-riddled ever since having a strong 2023 season. He is in the midst of a four-year, $212.4 million contract, so moving on from him without significant financial repercussions won’t be easy. However, it’s not uncommon for teams to bite the bullet when new leadership takes over.
Cincinnati Bengals HC Zac Taylor: The Bengals aren’t out of contention in the AFC North yet, but are off to a disappointing 3-6 start. Being without star QB Joe Burrow has played a big role in that, but slow starts have been a common theme for Taylor. Cincinnati hasn’t been able to recapture the magic of their Super Bowl run during the 2021 season. A losing record and missing out on the postseason may be the final nail in the coffin for Taylor.
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson: Despite back-to-back dominant seasons in 2023 and 2024, the Bengals have been unwilling to give Hendrickson a long-term deal. While he is still playing at a high level, his production has taken a dip so far in 2025, and he is also battling through a hip injury. Hendrickson will need to have a strong finish to the season to secure the best contract possible heading into free agency, whether it’s from Cincinnati or elsewhere.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers: The veteran is having a solid season overall, but is coming off an abysmal performance against the Los Angeles Chargers during a big primetime game. The Steelers are barely holding their head above water at 5-4, and the division rival Baltimore Ravens are heating up. How the rest of the season shakes out will determine whether or not Rodgers comes back for one more year or decides to finally hang up his cleats.
Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur: This is one no one saw coming. Green Bay has gone from Super Bowl aspirations to falling to a 5-3-1 record, losers of its last two games. It would probably take a pretty bad collapse for the Packers to move on from LaFleur, but they have their work cut out for them in the tough NFC North, which they currently sit at third in.
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: The seven-year veteran was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury this week, and will miss a minimum of the next four games. His tenure in Arizona has been injury-riddled and has lacked significant success. While he was Rookie of the Year in 2019 and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice, Murray has an 87-87 career record as a starter, and has never won a playoff game. It may be best for both sides to get a fresh start.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith: Smith was brought into Las Vegas to bring stability to the offense as a veteran QB who has played for coach Pete Carroll. However, Smith has been flat out bad this season, throwing the second-most interceptions in the league with 12, and only 11 touchdown passes. He has led the Raiders to a lowly 2-7 record, and will need to drastically turn things around down the stretch to justify him returning in 2026.
Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones: Jones has been the surprise player of the NFL this season, as he leads the league in passing yards and has guided the Colts to a 8-2 record. Despite all that, Jones can’t get comfortable. Indianapolis has a tough schedule ahead, and Jones has thrown four interceptions compared to just two TDs over his last two games. As we saw with Sam Darnold last year, if Jones fizzles out down the stretch, he could be one-and-done with the Colts. On the flip side, if he maintains his level of play, he could earn himself a mega-contract.
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: Pitts appears to be heading toward a career-year statistically, but hasn’t quite lived up to his first-round draft pick status as a whole. Whether the Falcons retain him or not, the final eight weeks of the season will play a major role in the type of market that will be available for Pitts during free agency.
2-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Unfortunately, many NFL teams already have their sights on the 2026 NFL Draft. There are only four weeks left of the college football regular season schedule, which means plenty of collegiate athletes are looking toward starting their professional careers. A few members of our A to Z Sports staff took a stab at a two-round mock draft.
No. 1 overall — Tennessee Titans — Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese:“I don’t see the Titans moving on from QB Cam Ward this quickly. Instead, they grab the prospect with the most intriguing upside in the entire class. Reese has jumped up the board at heat-seeking speed because of his explosiveness off the edge and stout run defense.” – Adam Holt
No. 10 overall — Los Angeles Rams — Oregon QB Dante Moore: “Because the Falcons are a mess this season, the Rams get to reap the reward. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old and playing at an elite level. They’ll be in a rare position to draft his successor with a top ten pick. Moore has shown tremendous accuracy and poise this season, with the upside to be a top quarterback in the NFL.” – Joe DeLeone
No. 20 overall — Pittsburgh Steelers — USC WR Makai Lemon: “DK Metcalf is obviously a great piece, but the rest of the Steelers’ wide receiver room leaves a lot to be desired. Despite being a smaller wide receiver at around 5-11 and 195 pounds, Lemon plays with a lot more physicality than you would expect. His game, however, is built on his talents as a route runner and winning after the catch, something that Pittsburgh needs desperately.” – Ryan Roberts
No. 32 overall — New York Jets (via Indianapolis) — Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington: “It’s tough to move as well as Washington does at 330 pounds. New York just moved Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, so the interior will be a concern going forward. Enter the Ducks lineman, and I believe he can hold a consistent role as a rookie. Washington needs more polish rushing the passer, but those reps will come. Aaron Glenn should have interest in the Oregon product.” – Adam Holt
NFL Draft
2-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks suffer unexpected fall, pass rushers rise, and the New York Giants makes history
Latest 2-round 2026 NFL mock draft includes quarterback falls, defensive risers, and some new milestones.
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