On the Hot Seat

As the NFL starts up training camp in a few weeks, many players, executives, and coaches enter the year with job security and assurance about their status in the league, allowing them to operate with freedom, peace, and confidence.

On the flip side, CBSsports.com has an article with the headline: “2025 NFL Head Coach Hot Seat Rankings: These Coaches Must Deliver Successful Seasons -- Or Risk Getting Fired.”

Here are the top five coaches who writer Tyler Sullivan has determined as having the hottest seats entering this season:

5. Bills’ Sean McDermott

4. Colts’ Shane Steichen

3. Bengals’ Zac Taylor

2. Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel

1. Giants’ Brian Daboll

These coaches are feeling the heat because they’re coming off disappointing seasons and not meeting expectations. In the case of Sean McDermott, his hot seat is all about winning in the playoffs and getting his Bills to the Super Bowl!

Let’s also consider this list of the top five QBs who are on the hot seat heading into the new season:

5. Cardinals’ Kyler Murray

4. Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa

3. Panthers’ Bryce Young

2. Colts’ Anthony Richardson

1. Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence

These players were top picks coming into the league, trying to prove their franchise can count on them to lead the way. For both the coaches and the quarterbacks, it will be tough heading into the season, with pressure, uncertainty, stress, and concern about what they must do this season to retain their jobs and experience more security and assurance.

Many of us can relate to feeling like we’re on the “hot seat” in life, as it seems like we aren’t doing enough or doing it well enough in some area. We get caught up trying to prove ourselves worthy. It’s like we’re carrying a weight as the seat gets hotter.

We may fear losing a job, become stressed about not getting a promotion or making enough money, or worry that we won’t be able to meet someone else’s expectations.

As we wonder what will happen “this season,” we feel the pressure and wrestle with the uncertainty. We desire a successful job, financial security, and assurances that our kids will be okay and our marriage will last. Some of these thoughts may be noble or possibly misguided, while many are beyond our control, and we need to ensure that we align ourselves with the Lord’s desires for us.

Feeling like we’re on the “hot seat” is another opportunity to trust God and shift the burdens and pressure to Him. He wants to carry us and help us through whatever heat we’re feeling, reminding us of what matters. We must stop thinking it’s all up to us or it’s all about performing or living up to others’ expectations. Instead, we surrender, knowing He's with us, His comfort is available, and He’s working to accomplish His will.

The psalmist declares in Psalm 94:19 (NLT), “When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

Also, in Psalm 57:2 (AMP), it says, “I will cry to God Most High, Who accomplishes all things on my behalf [for He completes my purpose in His plan].”

We must also remember that the true soul security we long for is found in Christ and Him alone. Deep down, we know that because we are followers of Jesus, He secures our salvation and eternity with Him because of our faith in His death, resurrection, and redeeming grace.

Jesus provides us assurance when He says in John 10:27-29 (NLT), “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for my Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”

Paul provides us great confidence in Romans 8:38-39 (ESV): “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Today, let’s be reminded of the love that Jesus gives us and how He gives us freedom, confidence, and peace, ultimately showing us that when we rest in Him, we no longer have to live like we’re on the hot seat…because we’re not!

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace, mercy, and strength, and for reminding me that I don’t have to live on the hot seat anymore. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me and assure me of eternity with You. Help me to live with freedom, confidence, and peace as I rest in Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.