At a Glance
- The first Monday after the NFL season is known as Black Monday, a day when many coaches and GMs are fired.
- In 2025, the Atlanta Falcons cut ties with head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot immediately after their season finale.
- Over the past decade, every year has seen a wave of coaching changes, from the 2021 firing of Anthony Lynn to the 2024 exits of Ron Rivera and Pete Carroll.
- Why it matters: The tradition signals a new coaching cycle and can reshape franchise trajectories.
Every year, the NFL’s post-season calendar features a notorious day that has earned the nickname Black Monday. The day, which falls on the first Monday after the regular season, is marked by a flurry of coaching and front-office departures that can set the tone for a franchise’s next chapter.
What Is Black Monday?
Black Monday is the first Monday after the regular season ends. While playoff teams may be preparing for the postseason, other teams are packing up offices as they let go of head coaches and key personnel.
Origins and Evolution
The phrase first appeared in a 1998 Chicago Tribune story about college coaches, but it was that year that the Associated Press, New York Post and Houston Chronicle began using it for the NFL. Since the addition of Week 18 in 2020, the day has shifted a few days but remains the kickoff of the offseason for 18 teams.
| Year | Notable Black Monday Firing(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Doug Pederson (Jaguars) |
| 2024 | Arthur Smith (Falcons), Ron Rivera (Commanders), Mike Vrabel (Titans), Pete Carroll (Seahawks), Bill Belichick (Patriots) |
| 2023 | Kliff Kingsbury (Cardinals), Lovie Smith (Texans) |
| 2022 | Matt Nagy (Bears), Mike Zimmer (Vikings) |
| 2021 | Anthony Lynn (Chargers), Doug Marrone (Jaguars) |
Recent Years: 2025-2021
In 2025, the Falcons and Titans fired Brian Callahan and Brian Daboll midseason after poor starts, while the Giants let go of Brian Daboll after a 2-8 record. The only Black Monday firing that year was Doug Pederson.
In 2024, the Falcons, Commanders, Titans, Seahawks and Patriots all lost head coaches on or around Black Monday. Midseason firings that season included Robert Saleh (Jets), Dennis Allen (Saints) and Matt Eberflus (Bears).
2023 saw Kliff Kingsbury and Lovie Smith dismissed on Black Monday, with the Cardinals also announcing Kingsbury’s departure that day. Midseason, Josh McDaniels (Raiders), Frank Reich (Panthers) and Brandon Staley (Chargers) were fired.
On Black Monday 2022, the Bears and Vikings cut ties with Matt Nagy and Mike Zimmer. The Dolphins fired Brian Flores that same day after three seasons.
In 2021, the Chargers and Jaguars let go of Anthony Lynn and Doug Marrone on Black Monday, while other midseason firings included Adam Gase (Jets) and Matt Patricia (Bears).
Beyond Football
While Black Monday is most famous in the NFL, the term has been used in other contexts, such as the 1929 and 1987 stock market crashes and a 13th-century Irish massacre.
Key Takeaways
- Black Monday is a tradition that sees a wave of coaching firings each year.
- The most recent Black Monday (2025) featured the firing of Doug Pederson.
- Midseason firings often precede or follow the Black Monday wave.
The tradition continues to shape the NFL’s coaching landscape, reminding teams that the end of one season often marks the beginning of a new chapter.
