What Is Black Monday in the NFL?
The beginning of the year is usually a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. In the NFL, these traditions follow suit, though this comes at a price. Now known as Black Monday, it is the period in which underperforming staff are given their leave. As teams lick their wounds or look to the playoffs, this year proved as eventful as ever.
The History of Black Monday
The conclusion of the regular season usually falls just on the passing from one year to another. This season date was moved back slightly in 2020 when week 18 was added, but the concept still remains. It splits the NFL into two. While many teams are gearing up for playoff places, those who didn’t make it are often looking for change. This means coaches, general managers, managers, and front office staff can find themselves clearing out their desks.
Pressure is now on coaches more than ever, as the NFL has increased viewership figures both domestically and globally. Part of this has been down to the ease with which games can now be accessed, through internet subscriptions and streaming services. Other factors include the opening of legal online betting in many US states. This has meant increased awareness of the sport. With expert reviews of online sportsbooks filtering out the best markets and bonus offers for those who like to bet, this has funnelled into more eyes on the NFL.
Black Monday’s List of Casualties
Before Black Monday even arrived, firings were in full force in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons did a double whammy, getting rid of head coach and general manager Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot.
This year’s list of changes was full. Three major teams let major staff go. This included Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders, the Arizona Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon and Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns.
The first coach to go was Kevin Stefanski. The Browns had a 5-12 season that was less than inspiring. Gannon was the most recent firing, after a three-season stint. The Cardinals’ last season record stood at 15-36.
Of these, Carroll is arguably the most surprising. Despite a terrible season in which the team had a 3-14 record, the joint worst in the NFL, his track record suggested he may have been given longer than one season to build the squad. He has a career of over 14 years and a Super Bowl win under his belt. The team is now looking for a sixth head coach since 2021, suggesting there may be other problems festering under the surface.
Previous Black Mondays
In the 2024 to 2025 season, only one coach was fired on Black Monday. This was the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dismissed head coach Doug Pederson. Despite this, before and after, there were plenty of movers and shakers. The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys all made major staffing changes.
While harsh, these changes are often necessary. A switch can give teams a boost, essential as they go into the playoffs. For those who didn’t make it, this is the ideal time for a new coach to come in and start to build a Super Bowl-winning squad.
