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Everyone Is Fired: NFL Post-Season Slaughter
NFL regular season play has concluded and there have been more axeings than a fall day in post-revolutionary France.
Based on record, age, attitudes or for whatever mystery reasons, many NFL teams have parted ways with their coaching staff following the regular season. Particularly those teams who did not make the playoffs. Here is a list of everyone sent packing:
Head Coach Pete Caroll out for the Seattle Seahawks
One of the biggest bombshells to drop has been news that Carroll, a longtime staple of the Seahawks franchise and the fourth longest serving coach of a particular team, will not be continuing as head coach. Whether or not he’s leaving or simply moving roles is still unclear.
Head Coach Mike Vrabel out for Tennessee Titans
After a losing season and apparently some personal issues with ownership, head coach Mike Vrabel has been let go from the Titans organization. Many commentators came to Vrabel’s defense and think he’ll end up at another franchise despite his team’s lackluster season.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell and the defensive staff are out for the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars began the season strong and went into Week 18 with a statistical 90% chance of making the Playoffs. They did not make the playoffs. Naturally heads have to roll. Coach Doug Pederson has been widely praised for turning the franchise around from its abysmal performance under legendary (infamous?) coach Urban Meyer so he kept his job but the ownership needed blood and the defense was apparently the sacrificial goat.
Head Coach Arthur Smith was one of the first to go from Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons finished the season 7-10, not the worst in their division (the Panthers were 2-15…notably one of the 2 was against the Falcons), but their final game was a pounding by the New Orleans Saints. Head Coach Smith lost his temper at a last minute play decision by the Saints and crossed the field to cuss out Saints Coach Dennis Allen as his final act wearing Falcons colors. Smith was reportedly fired just after midnight the Monday following his final game.
General Manager Scott Fitterer is out for Carolina Panthers
Undoubtedly the worst team in the NFL this year was the Carolina Panthers (sorry!). They went 2-15 and frequently looked like amateurs playing some kind of novelty game against pros. Their Head Coach, Frank Reich, was fired back in November due to the poor performance of the season and the Panthers have been coached temporarily by Chris Tabor. The Panthers owner is not known for having an easy temper, he was caught throwing a drink at a rival fan taunting him at a game.
Head Coach Ron Rivera is out for the Washington Commanders
Ron Rivera was fired for performance after never having a winning season with the Commanders for all four seasons of his employment. Rivera has actually only ever had 3 winning seasons in his 13 years of being a head coach. His team had nothing but nice things to say about him despite his departure.
Others were fired before the season ended
Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler were fired at the beginning of November. Chargers Head Coach Brandon Stanley and and General Manager Tom Telesco were fired in mid-December.
