5 NFL coaches who could be fired during the 2019 season

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to the play of his team against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of the Broncos' 24-17 win on Sunday, November 25, 2018. The Denver Broncos hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera discusses the team’s draft goals during a news conference at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. Ron Rivera

Unlike O’Brien, Rivera is not a coach who managed to pilot his team to the postseason in 2018. The Panthers enjoyed a terrific start to the season, but collapsed down the stretch to finish 7-9. Cam Newton’s shoulder injury played a big role in the late-season swoon, but Rivera deserves his share of the blame as well.

There’s reason for optimism heading into 2019, but if Newton’s injured shoulder doesn’t heal this is a team who could find themselves picking at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft. If the Panthers stumble out of the blocks, Rivera has a chance to be the first head coach fired this year.

Rivera also suffers a bit from being a defensive-minded coach in an era where owners are growing increasingly obsessed with offense. He deserves credit for delegating his offensive duties to Norv Turner last season, but the unit will need to put up serious points in 2019 to help the team reach its full potential.

The veteran head coach also is taking a massive gamble by diving head first into the team’s defense again this season. On one hand it’s good that he’s taking personal responsibility for the unit’s struggles last season. On the other hand, if they fail to improve it could cost Rivera his job.