ESPN Ranks Giants' Daboll Among NFL's Hottest Coaching Seats?

Brian Daboll was voted NFL Coach of the Year just two seasons ago when he surprisingly led the New York Giants to a playoff win. In 2023 he lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to an ACL injury in Week 9. And this offseason his best and most popular player - running back Saquon Barkley - bolted in free agency to sign with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Add it all up and you'd think Daboll might get a pass this season. But not so according to ESPN analyst Mike Greenberg, who nonetheless ranks the coach among the league's hottest seats.

On Tuesday's Get Up! , Greeny unveiled his Top 5 under-pressure coaches for 2024: 1. Robert Saleh of the New York Jets; 2. Nick Sirianni of the Eagles; 3. Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys; 4. Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears; 5. Daboll.

"This is partially unfair," Greenberg said of the Giants' Daboll being on his list. "He had a magnificent season two years ago. Then he overplayed his hand and in some ways it worked against him. Expectations last year were higher than they should've been. Now the team isn't all that good. However, whatever the dysfunction that seemed to be in place at the end of last season was ... I think it put him in a bad position. The specter of Bill Belichick matters in New York and I think Daboll is on the hot seat."

In the NFC East, only first-year coach Dan Quinn of the woebegone Washington Commanders is getting some wiggle room.

"Last year I thought he was hanging on by a thread," Greenberg said of Sirianni. "They got rid of the offensive coordinator and the defensive coordinator so there's nobody left to blame. They have as much offensive skill position talent as any team in the NFL. I think they're going to have a really good year. If they don't, it's going to fall squarely on the coach."

While the Giants merely have to improve from 6-11, if Greenberg is correct the Eagles and Cowboys will this season play not only for a division title but also their head coach's job.

"He's almost too obvious to mention," he said of McCarthy. "They held a press conference the other day in Big D and I think he was asleep. He wasn't even answering any questions because they were all going to Jerry Jones. This is an 'all in' season and, by that, Jerry means now or never. That's going to include the quarterback and that's going to include the coach. If they don't win playoff games this season I can't imagine him returning."

Related: Giants Offense Surprises; PFF Grades Breakdown

None, however, compare to the pressure cooker of the other New York team. The Jets are banking on 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, an offensive line rebuilt through lucrative free-agent signings and a Top 5 defense to deliver their first Super Bowl since 1969.

"This one is insanely obvious," Greenberg said of Saleh. "I think everyone knows, including him, that this team is the ultimate boom or bust. They have a great season, wonderful. But if this thing falls apart, everyone's gone beginning with him and including the general manager and the legendary quarterback and everybody else. It is boom or bust. Either this team wins big, or they tear it down to the studs."