NFL Nation’s updated rankings show us one employee in each organization, be it a coach, general manager, or player, who is firmly in the firing line as the season gets underway. Some athletes, like quarterback Daniel Jones of the New York Giants, must establish their value before being re-signed, just as some coaches, like Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals, must demonstrate their capacity for late-game success.
Also Read: NFL Pre-Season 2022: Power Rankings, Predictions, Rating and More!
Let’s get started with our top-ranked teams.
1. Buffalo Bills
Post-draft ranking: 1
Who’s on the hot seat: Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey
Josh Allen, the team’s starting quarterback, isn’t going anywhere, and he’ll be working with Dorsey, his former quarterbacks coach, as the team’s new offensive coordinator for the first time in his NFL career. As the offensive coordinator for the Bills, former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll had high expectations for his interactions with Allen and his performance on the field. Given the high expectations for the Bills this season, the pressure will be on the inexperienced coordinator if Buffalo’s offense makes any significant errors or playcalling blunders.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Post-draft ranking: 3
Who’s on the hot seat: QB Kyle Trask
Trask was not expected to compete with Blaine Gabbert for the backup quarterback position this year, as predicted by quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen in the offseason, but there hasn’t even been a close race between the two in training camp. That’s disappointing because Tom Brady has only one more season left on his contract, and the Bucs have made it clear that they want to see Trask this preseason. Less than two weeks into training camp, Trask had already recorded ten interceptions. One of those interceptions was thrown so badly that the Buccaneers’ social media account later removed the Play of the Day video of Jamel Dean intercepting it due to negative feedback. Even though that won’t get him fired, it doesn’t give me much hope for the future.
Also Read: Tom Brady: 10 Interesting facts to know about NFL Quarterback
3. Los Angeles Rams
Post-draft ranking: 2
Who’s on the hot seat: S Taylor Rapp
It’s challenging to be in the firing line just six months after your team won the Super Bowl. But Rapp, who is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract, might be a contender. The Rams typically do not re-sign safeties to large contracts, choosing instead to look for younger players to take over. Los Angeles may decide to cut ties with Rapp when he becomes a free agent because the team selected safeties Quentin Lake (sixth round) and Russ Yeast II (seventh round) in the draft.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Post-draft ranking: 4
Who’s on the hot seat: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire hasn’t been a dud, but neither has the first-round draft pick for 2020 performed as well as was anticipated. He is not in danger of losing his job, but at the end of this season, the Chiefs must make a decision regarding his fifth-year option. If Edwards-Helaire doesn’t have a strong season, the Chiefs may decide to decline the option due to the addition of rookie Isiah Pacheco to the running back group.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Post-draft ranking: 6
Who’s on the hot seat: CB Eli Apple
Because he recently signed a new contract with a team that is very confident in his ability to be a top NFL starter and because of the evidence he has provided throughout training camp, putting Apple on the hot seat feels strange. However, Cam Taylor-Britt was selected by the Bengals in the second round of this year’s draft, and Apple only has a one-year contract. Apple will have to continue to demonstrate to the Bengals and others around the league that he’s worth a long-term investment after this season.
Also Read: Top 10 Best NFL Players of All Time
6. Green Bay Packers
Post-draft ranking: 5
Who’s on the hot seat: LT David Bakhtiari
The left tackle could be classified as a hot seat, bounce-back candidate, or any other number of things. Regardless of the name, the Packers require Bakhtiari to regain his All-Pro level performance. They just need him to come back first, though. He has taken just 474 total snaps since Nov. 14, 2020, when he signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension. That includes the total of 27 plays he made last year. If he remains on the roster in March of next year, he will receive a $9.5 million bonus as part of a $17.5 million salary and bonus package for 2024. The days of Bakhtiari serving as their franchise left tackle may be numbered if he is unable to return and perform at a high level.
7. San Francisco 49ers
Post-draft ranking: 9
Who’s on the hot seat: OT Mike McGlinchey
This season doesn’t have many Niners on the hot seat, but McGlinchey unquestionably has a big year ahead of him. The No. 9 overall pick in 2018 is recovering from a quadriceps injury that ended his season in November. He is also playing on a fifth-year option and is not signed past this season. McGlinchey has a strong run-blocking record and complements the Niners’ offensive line well at his best. To secure a second contract in San Francisco, he will need to demonstrate his ability to stay productive and healthy.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Post-draft ranking: 7
Who’s on the hot seat: DL Jerry Tillery
The Chargers declined the fifth-year option on the 2019 No. 28 overall draft pick’s rookie contract because he hasn’t yet proven he can have an impact. Since the Chargers added Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, and Morgan Fox to their defensive front during the offseason, Tillery, 25, is now competing for a roster spot. How hot is Tillery’s seat going into the season? Think about this: Coach Brandon Staley has decided to rest the majority of his starters during the preseason, only starting those who could benefit from game experience in their position or who are competing for a position. Tillery was a starter in the preseason.
9. Baltimore Ravens
Post-draft ranking: 10
Who’s on the hot seat: LB Patrick Queen
Queen is in a crucial period because the Ravens must decide whether to exercise his fifth-year option in the upcoming offseason. He has not developed into the every-down middle linebacker that was anticipated. Queen was moved to weakside linebacker because of his difficulties with coverage and getting off blocks. However, the game has slowed down for the new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who was Queen’s position coach in 2020. The third season was necessary for Queen to become a star at LSU. After being selected in the first round by Baltimore in 2020, the Ravens are hoping Queen can repeat that performance this year.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Post-draft ranking: 8
Who’s on the hot seat: Coach Mike McCarthy
Nothing has changed since the end of the previous season, despite Jerry Jones’ unwavering support. Due to the Sean Payton shadow and Jones’ treatment of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, McCarthy will be this year’s most closely watched head coach. The leftovers from the Cowboys’ 12 victories last season make it seem as though they still haven’t recovered from their playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. To his credit, McCarthy has refrained from letting the opinions of others about his position affect the way he coaches. Players claim that his demands and temperament haven’t changed with them.
Also Read: Top 10 Best NFL Teams Season 2022
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