Mike Tomlin, Steelers
After the Steelers salvaged (sort of) a disappointing season with three straight wins (after five straight losses), team president Art Rooney seemed to suggest that maybe the position of head coach in Pittsburgh isn’t, by NFL standards, a lifetime job.



On the surface, it’s easy to assume that Tomlin remains safe — especially since he’ll be forced to embark on the 2010 season without a starting quarterback. 



But it would be naive to completely rule out the possibility that the Rooneys will hold the head coach accountable for the flaws of Ben Roethlisberger. Of anyone in the organization, Tomlin arguably was in the best position to ensure that Roethlisberger kept himself out of trouble. The fact that Roethlisberger failed could be regarded as proof that Tomlin failed, too.



Andy Reid, Eagles
Whenever the Eagles hit a rough patch, it seems like longtime coach Andy Reid could be in trouble. And yet he perseveres as the coach with the second longest tenure in the NFL.

He is taking a huge risk in 2010 by dumping the first player he ever drafted, quarterback Donovan McNabb. But even if the team fails to fulfill the always-high expectations in Philly, Reid most likely will be back for a 13th season in 2011.

Mike Smith, Falcons
Though the Falcons failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2009, they accomplished the feat of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history (yes, in franchise history). For that reason alone, Smith has plenty of leeway in 2010.

Then there’s the fact that his name isn’t Bobby Petrino.

Yeah, Smith’s departure is highly unlikely.

Mike Shanahan, Redskins

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For most first-year coaches, a nightmarish season won’t get them fired. In Washington, an initial season with as many wins as losses once got Marty Schottenheimer fired.

Still, owner Daniel Snyder has turned over a new leaf. Though that fresh approach will be tested if the Redskins end up with a losing record, Snyder chased Shanahan behind the scenes far too long to run him off after only one season.

Pete Carroll, Seahawks
It’s highly unlikely that the Seahawks would fire Pete Carroll after one year, especially since they just fired Jim Mora after one year.

But the Seahawks aren’t acting as rationally in recent times as they have in the past, so there’s at least a small possibility that they’ll do something irrational, especially if Carroll’s return to the NFL results in failure.

Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals
Because he took the Cardinals to a Super Bowl and then back to the divisional round, Whisenhunt probably won’t be run out of town, especially since quarterback Kurt Warner has retired.



Then there’s the fact that the Cards have given Whisenhunt an extension. Firing him would require them to buy out his contract. That’s something they won’t be inclined to do just yet.



John Harbaugh, Ravens
Two years, two playoff appearances. Not bad for a guy who never worked as a coordinator.

And not bad for a team that previously had struggled to be a consistent contender in the final seven years of the Brian Billick regime.

So Harbaugh gets at least one Mulligan. We’ve got a feeling he won’t be needing one this year.

Rex Ryan, Jets
Jets owner Woody Johnson loves Ryan. Even if the team lose every game, Ryan keeps his job because he has given the Jets something no other coach in recent years has been able to capture — buzz and relevance.

Though losing every game could apply heat to some seats in 2011, Ryan can do absolutely no wrong in 2010.

Bill Belichick, Patriots
Belichick would be at the bottom of the list, but the guy who has won three can’t be even safer than the guy who led the Saints to their first title after decades of disappointment.

Given his accomplishments, it’s hard to believe that Belichick ever was fired. It’s even harder to believe that he’ll ever be fired again.

Sean Payton, Saints
With a freshly-minted Lombardi Trophy in the case, the 2010 Saints can do no wrong. Even if the coming year unfolds as an extended victory lap with a total of zero wins, Payton is going nowhere.

Heck, he could punt on every first down, employ a defense that features one lineman, no linebackers and 10 safeties and/or kick owner Tom Benson in the face and still not lose his job.

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