5 NFL head coaches with most pressure to win in 2020
The 2020 NFL season is less than a month away. In three weeks, all 32 clubs are expected to begin training camps at their home facilities. All the while trying to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks.
While some head coaches are desperate to win to save their jobs, that’s not what we’re talking about here. No, this list is about which ones have good teams that haven’t gotten the recent ring. In that vein, these five coaches are facing the most pressure to get it done in 2020:
5. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
For the first time in a quarter-century (seriously, think about it) the Bills have real expectations. Even with Cam Newton in New England, Buffalo is expected to contend not only for the AFC East but to be a dark-horse in the conference. McDermott needs to keep the defense strong while figuring out how to coax better numbers from Josh Allen.
Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?
4. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
McCarthy may only be in his first season with Dallas, but this is the Cowboys. The team has largely underperformed in recent years, and has ample talent to rebound strongly this season. McCarthy has talked about growing since his time with the Green Bay Packers, where he won a Super Bowl in 2010 and reached two other NFC title games. He’ll need to bring the same type of winning culture to Dak Prescott and Co.
3. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
You can make a case for Payton to be higher on the list. New Orleans is a great team and has 41-year-old Drew Brees for what is likely his final season. Once Brees retires, the team is likely to start sliding, and quickly. Around Brees is a talented offense including running back Alvin Kamara, tight end Jared Cook and receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Thomas. After three brutal postseason losses over the past three years, it’s Payton’s time to step up.
2. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Shanahan is now fighting against two blown leads in the Super Bowl. In February, it was the 49ers losing despite an 11-point lead in the final eight minutes of Super Bowl LIV. San Francisco is largely bringing back the same team, only with rookies Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyu replacing DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders, respectively. This is a huge year for Shanahan.
Read: 9 More NBA Players Contract Covid-19
1. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
This will be short and sweet. The Ravens led the league with 14 regular-season wins last year. They had the NFL MVP at quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Yet, for the second consecutive year, they were trounced in the postseason in their first game, at home. It’s Super Bowl or bust in Baltimore.
