3 NFL Head Coaches Who Could Be Fired On Black Monday 2023

Three head coaches were fired during the 2022 NFL season, and it seems more jobs will open up

in the immediate aftermath of Week 18. Known around the league as Black Monday, the day following the regular-season finale is expected to feature multiple firings.

Here's a look at three head coaches who could be fired on Black Monday 2023.

Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals

Kingsburgy is probably the head coach who is most likely to be without a job Monday. The Washington Post's Jason La Canfora reported on Dec. 6 that executives within the league are anticipating the Cardinals to have a new coach next season. Arizona's 0-4 record since that report has only increased Kingsburgy's chances of being ousted.

The Cardinals are among the league's most disappointing teams, going 4-12 after a 11-6 record in the 2021 season. Last year's campaign ended on a sour note with a 23-point loss on Wild-Card Weekend. A 28-36-1 overall record, one winning season and no playoff wins in four years could mean that Kingsbury's days in Arizona are numbered.

Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders

Rivera is another example of a head coach who hasn't been able to find sustained success in his few years with the same team. The Commanders won the NFC East in 2020, but all it took was a 7-9 record to win a historically weak division. In all three seasons in Washington, Rivera has failed to post a winning record, going 21-27-1 overall.

A poor finish to the 2022 campaign could ultimately cost Rivera his job. The Commanders fell out of the playoff picture and were eliminated in Week 17 because they went winless in four straight games. Rivera's decision to start Carson Wentz in the penultimate game of the regular season backfired in a big way.

Lovie Smith, Houston Texans

Ever since the Texans hired Smith in February 2022, the head coach has been viewed as a candidate to be let go in 2023. Houston was interested in giving the job to Josh McCown, but the team went with Smith reportedly because of the backlash it would receive for hiring someone with no coaching experience.

In Week 17, NFL.com reported that the Texans planned to evaluate the future of Smith. Houston fired coach David Culley after just one season and a 4-13 record in 2021. Smith and the Texans can only win three games at most this season, entering Week 18 with a league-worst 2-13-1 mark. There's a good chance that Houston will start over in 2023 with a rookie quarterback drafted in the top-two and a new head coach.