If there is one aspect to the advent of sports betting that you know I am a huge fan of, it’s the availability of wagering on the employment of others. In fact, I enjoy it so much, I’ve pondered starting up my own underground sports book in my building to take action on whether or not some of my idiot neighbors get whacked from their jobs.
However, until the lawmakers make Texas a more friendly state toward gambling, legal or illegal, I’ll have to settle for betting on things like “first NFL head coach to be fired in the 2026 season.” Two weeks into the season, there are a few head coaches who’ve moved themselves off of that bubble, because of overperformance, and certainly a few others who now find themselves prominently up the board.
While I am not stunned that the Texans started the season 0-2, given the two opponents have two of the best quarterbacks on the planet, I am stunned that the oddsmakers seem to think DeMeco Ryans’ job is somehow not just in jeopardy, but perhaps in imminent danger. Here are the latest odds on which head coach in the NFL gets the axe first, thanks to BetOnloine.ag:
- Todd Bowles, TB +100
- Dan Quinn, WAS +200
- Shane Steichen, IND +600
- Matt LaFleur, GB +900
- Jim Harbaugh, LAC +1000
- Aaron Glenn, NYJ +1100
- DeMeco Ryans, HOU +1200
- Dan Campbell, DET +2500
- Mike Vrabel, NE +2800
According to the oddsmakers, DeMeco Ryans is seventh among the 32 NFL head coaches in having the shortest odds for pending termination and a “best of luck in your future endeavors” letter. Personally, I think the McNairs crab walk down Kirby in 110 degree heat before they fired DeMeco Ryans, but maybe there are some suckers out there who feel like enriching the good folks at BetOnline.ag.
I guess, just to make sure I’m not being crazy, let’s go through the exercise of making a case for each of these nine head coaches getting canned, and do so in two sentences or less:
TODD BOWLES, Tampa Bay +100
The Bucs lost to the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 2. Baker Mayfield, who now makes $55 million per year, looks like hot garbage.
DAN QUINN, Washington +200
The NFC Title Game feels like eons ago. Now, Jayden Daniels is out for an extended period again, and the team is 0-2 in the division already.
SHANE STEICHEN, Indianapolis +600
The Colts are off to an 0-2 start, and while the offense looks solid enough, the defense is a mess. Ownership has basically said it’s put up or shut up time for Steichen and GM Chris Ballard.
MATT LAFLEUR, Green Bay
The Packers got smoked by Carson Wentz in Week 1 and needed an Aaron Glenn brain fart to beat the Jets — the JETS! — in overtime. LaFleur doesn’t have the force of personality to survive a down year.
JIM HARBAUGH, Los Angeles Chargers
Identical 26-14 losses to the teams that picked first and third in the draft last season — need I say more?
AARON GLENN, New York Jets
Glenn’s Jets are 1-1, so he has moved out of the top spot on the odds board, but game management foibles, like not using a time out to stop the clock and go try to beat Green Bay will not sit well in New York.
DeMECO RYANS, Houston
The Texans are 0-2, and if we are looking at anything that could get Ryans into a “fireable” realm, I suppose letting Nick Caley’s play calling nosedive this offense into the ground might be one way.
DAN CAMPBELL, Detroit
Honestly, this is another one that i have a hard time seeing get fired first, but Campbell’s record without Ben Johnson as his offensive coordinator is absolutely horrendous (13-22-1). He is indeed without Ben Johnson this season.
MIKE VRABEL, New England
New England got a much needed win against the Steelers, but the schedule is brutal this season, and if the Pats start out, say, 1-5, would Robert Kraft hold Vrabel’s off field apparent infidelity with Dianna Russini against him as a distraction?
