In the aftermath of the NFL’s regular season, three coaches—Antonio Pierce of Las Vegas, Jerod Mayo of New England, and Doug Pederson of Jacksonville—found themselves without jobs. Meanwhile, some franchises decided to maintain their current leadership staff despite disappointing seasons.
The Tennessee Titans made significant changes on Tuesday, parting ways with General Manager Ran Carthon after just two seasons. The team, which holds the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, is currently assessing its future. The week following the end of the season has proven to be a critical period for many teams, as underperforming organizations hurry to implement changes.
On the same day Carthon was let go, the Raiders chose to terminate Pierce’s contract. This decision came shortly after the team finished the season with a dismal 4-13 record.
Looking into Pierce’s time with the Raiders, he began the season with two wins but faced an alarming 10-game losing streak that jeopardized his position. The season also presented challenges due to injuries among key players, including defensive stalwarts Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, as well as the distraction tied to Davante Adams’ trade request to the New York Jets.
In a statement, the Raiders expressed their appreciation for Pierce’s work, acknowledging his dedication to the franchise and the impact he had in energizing its culture during his time. After serving as interim coach for part of the 2023 season and performing respectably with a 5-4 record, many players backed him to take over full-time.
Jerod Mayo’s fate was similarly sealed following a win against the Buffalo Bills, concluding his single season with a 4-13 record. This outcome signals another rebuilding phase for the Patriots as they move forward without established mainstays from the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft attributed a large part of the blame to himself, expressing regret for placing Mayo in a challenging situation. Kraft stated that Mayo possesses the qualities of a successful head coach but suggested that he may have needed more time to flourish in the role.
In Jacksonville, Doug Pederson also met a grim fate, despite ownership considering this season to be one of their strongest eras. The franchise’s struggles continued, with only four wins in their last season resulting in Pederson’s departure while retaining General Manager Trent Baalke. The Jaguars recorded 18 losses in their last 23 games, creating frustrations among players and management alike.
Christian Kirk of the Jaguars expressed his disappointment over the dismissal, emphasizing the positive influence Pederson had on both his personal development as a player and the team’s overall growth. Pederson’s coaching record in Jacksonville stands at 23-30, a stark contrast to the expectations set when he was hired after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory.
Meanwhile, the Titans’ Carthon faced the axe after compiling a record of 9-25 over two seasons. However, coach Brian Callahan will remain with the franchise. Carthon’s termination followed the Titans finishing the season with a 3-14 record, a significant drop from what was anticipated.
Tennessee’s controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, expressed her disappointment regarding the team’s performance and noted that the decision to part ways with Carthon reflects a need for a strategic relocation towards an optimistic long-term future.
In contrast to these shake-ups, some franchises opted to retain their current leadership despite poor performance. For instance, the New York Giants announced that they would keep coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen, believing they remain the best option moving forward.
The Indianapolis Colts also confirmed that coach Shane Steichen and General Manager Chris Ballard would be returning to their positions, while the Miami Dolphins pledged their faith in coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier. Owner Stephen Ross emphasized the importance of continuity while maintaining high standards.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, it’s likely that more changes are imminent. The Dallas Cowboys remain in deliberation regarding the future of coach Mike McCarthy after a disappointing 7-10 season. Additionally, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel is being mentioned in connection with various open positions, including those in the Raiders and possibly New England.
