New favorite emerges for first NFL head coach to be fired after brutal Week 8 result
New favorite emerges for first NFL head coach to be fired after brutal Week 8 result
David SchneidmanMon, November 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM UTC
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen is on the hot seat -Credit:Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
A new favorite has emerged to be the first NFL head coach fired this season.
Sunday’s NFL Week 8 action provided plenty of clarity around which teams are contending for a playoff spot and which are already beginning to turn the page to 2027.
From the Baltimore Ravens losing star quarterback Lamar Jackson for the season, to the Dallas Cowboys’ epic collapse at home to the Arizona Cardinals, to the Los Angeles Chargers remaining the NFL’s only team without a win this year, there was no shortage of drama throughout the eighth Sunday of the 2026 season.
As the calendar turns to November, some teams well outside of the playoff picture could start to make changes at head coach, quarterback, or both.
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After Week 8, a new name emerged as the frontrunner to be the first head coach fired in 2026.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is the leading favorite to be the first NFL head coach fired after his team dropped to a 2-6 record with a 42-7 blowout defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8.
According to probabilities listed on prediction market Kalshi, Steichen has a 34 percent chance of being the first head coach fired this season, ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni (33 percent) and New York Jets’ Aaron Glenn (24 percent).
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Steichen's time as Colts head coach is ticking -Credit:Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Prior to Week 8, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was considered the frontrunner, but pressure around his job security eased after his team got a much-needed 27-10 victory over the Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
Steichen’s seat is as hot as it has ever been amid a disastrous start to the season that has already seen longtime Colts general manager Chris Ballard be fired and multiple key players traded away.
Indianapolis currently sits third in AFC South, ahead of only the 1-7 Tennessee Titans, with the team already dealing defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to playoff-contending teams.
Superstar running back Jonathan Taylor is widely believed to be the next one out the door, with several contenders weighing up a trade for the three-time Pro Bowler ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
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Currently in his fourth season at the helm in Indianapolis, Steichen has yet to lead the Colts to the playoffs and is now enduring the worst start to a season he’s had during his tenure. Through eight games, Indy ranks 26th in the NFL in total points scored, 26th in total offensive yards, and 30th in total points allowed.
With wholesale changes being made across the organization, Steichen’s job status is believed to be shaky at best entering a vital Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
