# NFL hot seat rankings after Week 2

> Seven coaches are under pressure after stumbling starts to the 2026 season, with some facing potential changes within weeks.
- Title: NFL hot seat rankings after Week 2 · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Seven coaches are under pressure after stumbling starts to the 2026 season, with some facing potential changes within weeks. Early-season struggles don't…
- Keywords: nfl, head coaches, 2026 season, jim harbaugh, chargers, todd bowles, buccaneers, aaron glenn, jets, shane steichen, colts, dan quinn
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-head-coach-hot-seat-rankings-jim-harbaugh
- Published: 2026-09-22T12:26:49+00:00
- Read time: 4 min
- Topics: nfl, head coaches, 2026 season, jim harbaugh, chargers, todd bowles, buccaneers, aaron glenn, jets, shane steichen, colts, dan quinn
## Early stumbles heating up seats
Two weeks into the 2026 season, several coaches are already on thin ice after poor starts. Organizations typically wait until Week 5 to make staff changes, but the pressure is mounting.
## Matt LaFleur, Packers (1-1)
Green Bay barely beat the Jets despite becoming the first Super Bowl era team to win with under 200 total yards, 10-plus penalties, and zero turnovers. They blew a 22-point lead to Minnesota in Week 1.
## LaFleur missing key pieces
Pass rusher Micah Parsons is on injured reserve recovering from an ACL tear, while running back Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner's exempt list. Both absences are affecting the team's performance.
## DeMeco Ryans, Texans (0-2)
Houston has started 0-2 for the third time in Ryans' four-year tenure, but they've made the playoffs every season despite shaky starts. The defense that was strong in 2025 has regressed significantly.
## Texans defense crumbling
Houston allowed 36 points to Buffalo and 20 to Cincinnati, with opposing quarterbacks posting a league-high 137.1 passer rating. This is a major concern for a defense-minded coach.
## Shane Steichen, Colts (0-2)
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon warned that the coaching staff would be gone if they didn't start winning. The Colts' defense has been shredded, allowing 1,029 total yards and 37 points per game.
## Steichen's Week 2 coaching blunder
Against Kansas City, Steichen ran the ball twice for negative yards from the 17-yard line, then settled for a field goal to tie instead of being aggressive near the end zone.
## Dan Quinn, Commanders (0-2)
Washington is 0-2 for the first time since 2019 and just 2-12 over their last 14 games. Both losses came against NFC East division rivals, putting them in an early hole.
## Quinn's defense underperforming
The Commanders allow 30.5 points per game (fourth-highest in the league) and opposing quarterbacks average a league-high 137.1 passer rating. This is especially concerning for a defensive-minded coach.
## Quinn's costly decision vs Dallas
Quinn kept the offense on the field for a third-and-goal attempt from the 1-yard line instead of taking a field goal before halftime. The play resulted in Jayden Daniels suffering an elbow injury.
## Jim Harbaugh, Chargers (0-2)
Los Angeles was expected to contend for the AFC West with returning offensive tackles and new coordinator Mike McDaniel. Instead, they've lost to Arizona and Las Vegas, averaging just 14 points per game.
## Harbaugh's historic losing streak
The Chargers are the first team ever to start 0-2 with both losses to teams that won 14-plus games last season. Harbaugh has his first five-game losing streak of his entire coaching career.

> The first five-game losing streak of Jim Harbaugh's coaching career (NFL or NCAA).
## Chargers face brutal schedule
Over the next seven games, Los Angeles plays five teams that won playoff games last season: Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Rams, and Texans. A 0-4 start is realistic.
## Aaron Glenn, Jets (1-1)
New York pulled off a road upset over Tennessee but lost in overtime to Green Bay. Glenn made critical coaching mistakes that cost them the game against the Packers.
## Glenn's overtime miscues
Glenn didn't call a timeout with 50 seconds left in regulation, then elected to take possession first in overtime instead of second. The Jets went three-and-out, and Green Bay kicked a field goal to win.
## Todd Bowles, Buccaneers (0-2)
Bowles entered the season with the hottest seat in the NFL. Tampa Bay is 0-2 for the first time since 2014, tied for last in the NFC South after losing to Cincinnati and Cleveland at home.
## Bowles' last-ditch staff overhaul
After missing the playoffs, Bowles fired his offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and cornerbacks coach. These moves signal a coach on the brink.
## Bowles could be first to go
Despite having two hours to prepare during a lightning delay, the Buccaneers stalled at the Cleveland 34-yard line with two minutes left. Bowles could be the first coach fired if results don't improve.
## Key takeaway

Early-season struggles don't guarantee firings, but organizations typically make staff decisions by Week 5, so these coaches have a narrow window to turn things around.