NFL coach fired 2026 speculation has started earlier than usual, and four names keep coming up. The 2026 season produced five winless teams after Week 3, but not every 0-3 team faces the same pressure. Todd Bowles, Jim Harbaugh, Robert Saleh, and Aaron Glenn are the head coaches under the most scrutiny, and this guide ranks them.
Todd Bowles Leads the NFL Coach Fired 2026 Watch
Bowles sits at the front of the pack. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-3 and have lost 10 of their last 12 games, a slide that began after a 6-2 start last season. The timing could hardly be worse.
Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in the loss to Minnesota and will miss at least three weeks. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will start against Green Bay. Tampa Bay has also allowed at least 23 points in each of its first three games.
Bookies.com lists Bowles as its first-fired favorite. The NFC South is still wide open, so a recovery is possible. Even so, he is the most obvious NFL coach fired candidate right now.
Jim Harbaugh Faces Rising Pressure in Los Angeles
Few expected Harbaugh to be in this conversation so soon. The Chargers entered the season with real playoff hopes, then started 0-3 after a 24-16 loss to Buffalo. They had already lost to Arizona and Las Vegas.
Offensive struggles are the main issue. Harbaugh publicly challenged Justin Herbert to improve his decision-making after the Buffalo game, a notable shift in their dynamic.
His coaching résumé should buy him extra time. Still, the Chargers invested heavily in this roster, and another losing season would change the tone quickly. If the team cannot turn things around soon, Harbaugh could become a serious NFL coach fired in 2026.
Robert Saleh Needs Progress in Tennessee
Tennessee also opened 0-3 and has scored only 37 points. Cam Ward, in his second season, has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 504 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
The Titans have struggled in close games, losing 24-20 to Philadelphia and 12-7 to the Giants. Saleh deserves patience as a first-year head coach, but ownership may not accept another lost season. Developing Ward adds to the pressure on him and his staff. For a deeper look at his challenge, read how Robert Saleh is trying to turn the Titans franchise around.
Aaron Glenn Is the Wild Card
Glenn’s position looks better than it did entering the season. The Jets were 1-1 before a 31-24 loss to Detroit, and they have improved on last year’s 3-14 record. Still, they have not reached the playoffs since 2010, the longest active drought in the NFL. Glenn has also drawn criticism for late-game decisions. For now he ranks behind Bowles, Harbaugh, and Saleh, but continued close losses could change that. Keep an eye on the NFL standings and division races as the season unfolds.
Who Is Most Likely to Be the NFL Coach Fired 2026 First?
Based on results and circumstances, Bowles is the top pick. Tampa Bay is 0-3, has lost its starting quarterback, and hosts Green Bay in Week 4. Harbaugh follows closely, because the Chargers are also 0-3 and carried far higher expectations. Saleh comes next, since Tennessee needs visible progress around Ward.
The first coach fired could come within weeks if there is no improvement. The NFL rarely waits when a season starts to collapse. Trade-deadline moves can also shape the picture, so check the NFL trade deadline winners and losers. Early-season coaching changes are never guaranteed, though, and these coaches can still turn their seasons around. The next few games will decide whether the pressure becomes unavoidable and whether any NFL coach-fired 2026 headline becomes reality.
FAQs
Who is the favorite to be the first NFL coach fired in 2026?
Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bookies.com lists him as its first-fired favorite, and Tampa Bay is 0-3 with Baker Mayfield sidelined.
Which other coaches are on the hot seat?
Jim Harbaugh (Chargers), Robert Saleh (Titans), and Aaron Glenn (Jets) are the other names to watch, in that order of pressure.
Why is Jim Harbaugh under pressure despite his track record?
The Chargers started 0-3 with high expectations and a heavy roster investment. Their offense has struggled, and Harbaugh publicly challenged Justin Herbert after the Buffalo loss.
Can these teams still recover?
Yes. The NFC South remains open, and a strong run could ease pressure on any of these coaches.