Steve Wilks Favored to be Next Coach Fired After Week 14

Updated: September 26, 2025

• Odds now say Steve Wilks is the strongest candidate to be fired
• Plenty of coaches recently fired one year after drafting first-round QB
• The best bet on who will be given a pink slip first

Despite holding the job for less than a year, BetOnline has Arizona’s Steve Wilks as the favorite to be the next NFL head coach fired.

Background on Steve Wilks' Coaching Career

Steve Wilks' path to the top coaching role began when he joined the Carolina Panthers. He quickly rose to become their defensive coordinator in 2017. Known for his defensive acumen, Wilks played a key role in guiding the Panthers' defense to a top-10 ranking that season.

His ability to develop players and craft strategic game plans earned him a reputation as a promising coaching prospect. Before his stint with Carolina, Wilks also served as an assistant with the San Diego Chargers, focusing on the secondary.

This wealth of experience laid a strong foundation for his head coaching role with Arizona.

This is a change from their projections last week when it looked like Todd Bowles was next to be canned; a victory in Buffalo silenced the critics – for now.

Is Wilks really in that much danger in his first season at the helm?

Odds on Next NFL Head Coach to be Fired

Steve Wilks having ghastly first year with Cardinals

To say Arizona has had a rough first year under Wilks would be an understatement – they’re tied with San Francisco and Oakland for worst record in the NFL.

Two of their three wins have come at the expense of the hapless 49ers, and the other was a shocking win over Green Bay that ran Mike McCarthy out of town.

#Lions Darius Slay with a pick-six of #Cardinals rookie Josh Rosenpic.twitter.com/GaSGHDdusl

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 9, 2018

The Cardinals are dead last in total yards, and it’s not even close!

The team's offensive woes go beyond total yards. In the 2018 season, the Cardinals ranked near the bottom in points per game, managing just 14.1.

Their passing attack struggled, placing 32nd in the league, while their rushing game wasn’t much better, settling at 32nd in rushing yards per game.

This paints a picture of systemic issues that extend beyond just the quarterback position.

They’re a full 645 yards behind the second worst team – Buffalo. They fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy with the development of rookie first-rounder Josh Rosen moving at a glacial pace (10 TD, 12 INT), and 2016 First-Team All-Pro Running back David Johnson has just one 100-yard rushing game all season.

Josh Rosen seen yawning on the sidelines as the Cardinals offense looks inept. Down 27-0 late 3rd quarter at the Rams. pic.twitter.com/Dpzuq06ykn

— Jason Barr KGUN (@JasonBarrTV) September 16, 2018

What’s also brutal is Steve Wilks’ expertise is on the defensive side of the ball, and the Cards are just a league-average D as well.

Reaction from Cardinals Organization

The Arizona Cardinals' management has expressed a desire to see improvement in the team's overall performance.

General Manager Steve Keim, in particular, has highlighted the need for effective player development and strategic execution. The front office had anticipated progress with the addition of rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, but the results have been underwhelming so far.

While publicly supportive, the leadership has subtly indicated that the franchise's expectations are not being met, increasing speculation about Wilks' future.

Coaches Fired in First Year with 1st-Round Rookie QB’s

The NFL moves fast and in the last four years there have been plenty of coaches axed within the first season of drafting a first round quarterback – a stat Wilks is obviously hoping to not add to.

Recent Coaches Fired with Rookie 1st-Round QB’s

*Kubiak resigned after winning Super Bowl

That’s an extensive list and that doesn’t even include other coaches who could be let go soon with first year signal callers in tow, like Todd Bowles, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh, potentially Sean McDermott in Buffalo, and of course Wilks in Arizona.

The coach most likely to be fired first

Considering there’s two coaches favored over him to be fired first, the best value is still on Todd Bowles with the Jets.

One meaningless victory against the Bills won’t change a whole lot in the long-term. Expect him to get his pink slip soon, perhaps as early as this Saturday after the Texans will surely lambaste New York.

The post Steve Wilks Favored to be Next Coach Fired After Week 14 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

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