Three NFC East coaches are in the hot seat after Week 5. Is a major shake-up coming?

T he NFC East could be heading toward an offseason coaching shake-up. Five weeks into the 2026 NFL season, Brian Schottenheimer, Nick Sirianni and Dan Quinn are facing mounting pressure as the Cowboys struggle for consistency, the Eagles spiral through a three-game losing streak and the Commanders waste opportunities to save their season.

If the results don't improve, all three could find their jobs under scrutiny, especially if John Harbaugh turns the Giants into a serious division contender in his first year in New York. The stakes are different for each coach.

Schottenheimer must prove he can turn Dak Prescott's production into sustained success. Sirianni has a Super Bowl title and a strong winning record to defend, but Philadelphia's recent collapse is raising questions about his game management. Quinn, meanwhile, needs Washington to find its footing as Jayden Daniels works his way back from another elbow injury.

None is necessarily on the verge of being fired. But with expectations high and the season already threatening to slip away for two of the three teams, the margin for error is shrinking.

Brian Schottenheimer: Dak Prescott's success raises the pressure

Schottenheimer's problem in Dallas is that the Cowboys have not been consistent enough, even with Prescott playing at a high level. Through 22 games under Schottenheimer, Dallas has managed only one streak of consecutive victories lasting at least two games: a three-game run that included wins over the Raiders, Eagles and Chiefs last season. That lack of sustained success is a troubling pattern for a franchise that expects to compete for championships.

Prescott's performance makes the criticism harder to dismiss. He has produced strong results under several previous head coaches, including Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy, as well as under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. If the quarterback continues to perform, Schottenheimer must show that he can turn that production into consistent team success.

The Cowboys' latest loss , a 24-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, intensified the scrutiny. Dallas struggled to convert third downs, failed to adapt effectively to Tampa Bay's pressure and committed costly turnovers. The result raised fresh questions about the game plan and Schottenheimer's in-game decisions.

The defensive situation is also complicating his position. Dallas is working with second-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who is in his first season in that role with the Cowboys. Through five games, the defense ranked 31st in total yards allowed and 25th in scoring defense, prompting owner Jerry Jones to bring in veteran assistant Mike Pettine to help the staff.

Nick Sirianni: A strong résumé meets a three-game skid

Sirianni's situation is more complicated because his record provides a compelling argument in his favor. He has a 61-28 regular-season record and a 6-4 postseason mark, including a Super Bowl championship . Those achievements are not easily dismissed after a difficult stretch, and Philadelphia has previously shown an ability to recover from slow starts and improve as the season progresses.

But the Eagles have lost three consecutive games and sit at 2-3 after their 19-17 defeat to Jacksonville in London . The latest loss was particularly painful because Philadelphia had an opportunity to protect its lead, only to allow a long kickoff return with eight seconds remaining. Jacksonville then made a 57-yard field goal to win.

Sirianni accepted responsibility for the decision to kick the ball deep rather than use a safer strategy to close out the game. It was the sort of late-game mistake that can magnify existing concerns about coaching decisions.

Philadelphia's injury problems provide important context. Key players, including running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, missed the Jacksonville game , while other absences have affected the team's depth. T he Eagles' struggles cannot be attributed to the head coach alone. Still, a championship résumé does not offer unlimited protection.

Dan Quinn: Washington's season depends heavily on Daniels

Quinn faces a different challenge in Washington. The Commanders' season has been shaped by the availability of Daniels , who missed two games after dislocating his left elbow in Week 2. Daniels returned against the Giants in Week 5 wearing a protective brace. His presence offered a boost, but Washington could not turn it into a victory. The Commanders and Giants finished in a 27-27 tie after Washington failed to complete a game-winning field-goal attempt in overtime. Quinn accepted responsibility for the clock-management problems that contributed to the missed opportunity.

The tie left Washington at 1-3-1, a difficult position for a team that entered the season with postseason ambitions. Quinn is now in his third year as head coach, and the team's inability to close out games has increased the scrutiny of his leadership.

Daniels' health is central to the Commanders' prospects , but it cannot explain every problem. Washington must improve its situational execution and make better use of the opportunities it creates. A quarterback returning from an elbow dislocation can provide a lift, but relying on him to rescue every game is not a sustainable strategy.

Quinn's challenge is to demonstrate that Washington can make progress even as it manages injuries and a difficult start. If the team continues to waste late-game opportunities, questions about his future will become harder to avoid.