The NFL saw multiple head coaches sacked from their teams Monday at the conclusion of the regular season.
The Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears each announced they were firing their head coach. The Vikings and the Bears also fired their general managers.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FIRE HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER
“I made a decision today to part ways with Brian Flores,” said Stephen Ross, owner of the Dolphins. “After evaluating where we are as an organization and what we need going forward to improve, I determined that key dynamics of our football organization weren’t functioning at a level I want it to be and felt that this decision was in the best interest of the Miami Dolphins.”
Flores served as the head coach of the Dolphins for three seasons. The Dolphins did not make the playoffs during any of those seasons, and the team has not won a playoff game in decades.
The Dolphins had winning seasons the last two years. The team most recently defeated the Patriots on Sunday. Ross said General Manager Chris Grier will not be fired.
The Dolphins fired HC Brian Flores. I have covered this league long enough to know that coaches aren’t always fired for “coaching” reasons. That’s what seems to be at play here. From NFL Now @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/SfOeOT3V4D
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) January 10, 2022
The Vikings fired both their head coach, Mike Zimmer, and their general manager, Rick Spielman. The team had an 8-9 record this season. Spielman became the general manager in 2012, and Zimmer became the head coach in 2014.
“We believe it is time for new leadership to elevate our team so we can consistently contend for championships,” Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf said in a statement. “We are determined to have sustained success and bring Vikings fans the Super Bowl championships they expect and deserve.”
Zimmer had a record of 72-56 with one tie during his tenure, according to the team. The team missed the playoffs and had a losing season for the second time in a row.
The Bears fired head coach Matt Nagy and General Manager Ryan Pace following a 6-11 season. Nagy began coaching the team in 2018. He brought the team to a 12-4 winning season that year following the team’s 5-11 performance the prior year.
The team said that Nagy was unable to build off his initial success in subsequent seasons. His career record for the Bears was 34-33.
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While those three teams fired their coaches, at least one team is reportedly not relieving its head coach of duties despite rumors. New York Giants coach Joe Judge will stay with the team, a source told CBS Sports.
The Giants had a 4-13 season and were most recently defeated Sunday by the Washington Football Team. The Giants’ general manager, Dave Gettleman, announced his retirement Monday, according to the outlet.
