Here’s a roundup of the NFL coaches who managed to make it to the end of this season, but whose teams decided they won’t be returning for another one.
Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
Zimmer was the third-winningest coach in Vikings history, compiling a 72-56-1 record over eight seasons. Despite two division titles, three playoff appearances and at least seven wins in every season, it wasn’t good enough for him to keep his job.
He and general manager Rick Spielman were both fired after Minnesota finished out of the playoff picture for the second consecutive year with an 8-9 record.
Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins started Flores’ third season in Miami 1-7, but caught fire in midseason and won seven in a row to get above .500. A Week 17 loss to the Tennessee Titans put an end to the team’s playoff hopes, but the Dolphins capped the season with a convincing 33-24 victory over the New England Patriots to finish with a winning record.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save Flores’ job.
In his first stint as an NFL head coach, Flores compiled a record of 24-25.
Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears
Nagy’s exit was perhaps the least surprising of them all. Under fire for almost the entire season, the fourth-year coach had to deal with questions and speculation about his job security on an almost-weekly basis.
With the Bears struggling to a 6-11 record, both Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace were fired on Monday.
Nagy was voted NFL Coach of the Year in 2018 when he led the Bears to a 12-4 record and an NFC North title. However, things went steadily downhill — despite a playoff berth last season — and he finished his four-year tenure with a mark of 34-31.
Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos
Fangio never had a winning season in his three years in Denver, finishing 19-30 overall. A four-game losing streak to finish the 2021 campaign 7-10 likely sealed his fate. Despite constant issues at quarterback, the Broncos fought hard until the end, falling to the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 on Saturday.
The team made Fangio’s firing official a day later.
Since winning Super Bowl 50, the Broncos have not been to the playoffs in six years — the second-longest active streak behind the New York Jets.
