NFL: Week 5 hot seat

Jacob’s Pick: Doug Pederson: Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Pederson was brought in to develop highly touted prospect Trevor Lawrence after having won a Super Bowl with the Eagles. He looked to be headed in the right direction after winning a playoff game in year one and an 8-3 start last year.

Then injuries hampered the roster at the end of last year, and the Jaguars ended up finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs. Add an 0-4 start to this year, and rumors about this being Pederson’s last year immediately ramped up.

Pederson has the results and resume that this year should not do him in. Lawrence still shows promise, but he needs to cut down on the turnovers. Firing Pederson could set a franchise with little success back even further, and it could also hurt Lawrence’s future, but he might be out the door after a losing record this year.

Brennan’s Pick: Sean McDermott: Head Coach, Buffalo Bills

McDermott’s seat may have never been hotter after controversial play calls in the final 30 seconds of the Bills game against the Texans, where they lost 23-20.

This is just the next chapter in a saga where McDermott makes crucial mistakes at the end of games that cost his team the win. He adds this loss to an impressive resume that also features the 13-second blunder and the 12 personnel on the field incident.

While most Bills fans are calling for his job, it feels like General Manager Brandon Beane and Bills owner Terry Pegula have McDermott on a Mike Tomlin-like leash. However, if Buffalo fails to reach expectations this year, the McDermott era in Orchard Park could come to an end.

Owen’s Pick: Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson’s seat in the Browns quarterback room has been hot a few times over his three-year tenure.

However, after another bad game against the Commanders, converting only 1-for-13 on third down and averaging four-and-a-half yards per pass, his seat has never been hotter.

The Browns traded for Watson in 2022, and depended on him to revitalize his career, signing him to a 230-million dollar guaranteed deal. His contract is now looked upon as one of the worst contracts in NFL history.

Three years later, he hasn’t been the same player he was four years ago in Houston. He’s humiliated by what he has done off the field, and it shows his lack of confidence in his on-field abilities.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has played 17 games and has passed for only 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with a 59.9 percent completion rate. To start this season, he ranks 31st in QBR.

Stephen A. Smith just called him out on national television saying if people wanted him thrown in jail for how awful he has been, he would be fine with it.

He has done nothing to help what was 2023's No. 1 ranked defense, and a top-five offensive line when healthy.

We’ve seen quarterbacks have success with this Browns roster, looking at how Joe Flacco was able to perform last year. For Deshaun’s sake, the Browns should be making the switch to Jameis Winston soon enough.

Joe’s Pick: Bengals Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo

Lou Anarumo’s seat is getting hotter by the week as the Bengals' defense continues to struggle. Through five games, Cincinnati has allowed the second-most points in the league, surrendering 145 in total, and ranks 26th in yards allowed, giving up over 365 yards per game.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side, Joe Burrow and company are clicking. Burrow leads the league with 12 touchdown passes and wide receiver Jamar Chase has found his rhythm, scoring five touchdowns in the last three games.

Cincy’s defensive issues are glaring, especially given the team’s high expectations after back-to-back deep playoff runs just two seasons ago. While the offense has shown flashes of brilliance, the defense is holding the team back.

For the Bengals to salvage their season, the defense must rise to the occasion before it’s too late. If Anarumo can’t find a way to shore up his unit, major changes could be on the horizon for Cincinnati’s coaching staff.

Ben’s Pick: Head Coach Nick Sirianni

The Philadelphia Eagles hold a .500 record through their first four games of the season, but have looked very uninspiring in that span.

Both sides of the ball have looked lackluster despite the hype coming into this season.

The Eagles offense is ranked 8th in offensive yards per game, but are ranked 26th in total points scored.

The defense isn’t looking super promising either, a unit that was looking to be improved from last season.

The Eagles' defense is ranked 27th in yards allowed per game with it being at 365.8.

Sirianni also made the choice to release 26-year-old linebacker Devin White. The former pro bowler was signed to a one-year deal during the offseason, originally brought in to get back to form with a struggling linebacker room.

Going from lackluster performances on the field to locker room issues that have hurt them in the past, Sirianni’s seat should be scorching if the Birds aren’t to pull out a win against the struggling Cleveland Browns.

With all of these issues going on for a team with high expectations every year, Sirianni has failed to provide much success and hope for the Eagles faithful.

Time is running out on the fourth-year head coach. His seat will remain hot if there are no drastic improvements to both sides of the ball, as well as the locker room.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.

Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email opd5073@psu.edu.

Ben Barker is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bsb5566@psu.edu.

Brennan Kirkpatrick is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email blk5545@psu.edu.

Joseph Granton is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him please email jlg6619@psu.edu.