The 2024-25 NFL season produced a reminder of how outside voices shape decision-making in the league. Fan pressure in NFL and media scrutiny are no longer background noise and can alter coaching tenures and increase pressure on front offices to act quickly nowadays. Teams often emphasize patience and long-term vision, yet the events of the past year show how quickly that can be forgotten once criticism becomes relentless. Three recent cases stand out.
Robert Saleh’s Dismissal by the Jets
The New York Jets dismissed head coach Robert Saleh on October 8, 2024, after a 2–3 start. Owner Woody Johnson had warned earlier that year during the NFL Honors event that the team needed to “produce this year.” Saleh finished with a 20‑36 record in the regular season and no playoff appearances. The firing took place shortly after a London loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Jets’ defense had shown improvement under Saleh, but struggles at quarterback and inconsistent offensive play magnified outside criticism. By the time of his dismissal, the tone from both fans and local media had shifted sharply, creating an environment where ownership felt action was unavoidable.
Anthony Richardson’s Bench
On October 29, 2024, the Indianapolis Colts benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. The decision followed a defeat to the Houston Texans in which Richardson went 2-for-15 in the first half, threw an interception and briefly removed himself citing fatigue. Up to that point, his completion percentage and turnover rate placed him among the league’s least efficient starters.
Team sources described the move as something that “needed to be done,” while still insisting Richardson remained the long-term answer. The handling of the benching highlighted how quickly external scrutiny can force a course change, even when the official stance had been patience.
Fan Pressure in NFL’s Miami and the Giants’ QB Dilemma
Fan activism has become another form of influence. The Miami Dolphins missed the playoffs in 2024 and then opened 2025 with a heavy defeat. After that loss, fans voiced dissatisfaction with general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel, with social media campaigns calling for accountability. McDaniel acknowledged after Week 1 that fans “don’t think that’s acceptable” when the team underperforms (The Sun).
In New York, the Giants have endured a 0–3 start with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Home crowds have booed Wilson and chanted “We want Dart!” in reference to rookie Jaxson Dart. Analysts have joined the chorus, urging head coach Brian Daboll to make the switch. The growing unrest shows how quickly a fan base can shape the quarterback debate in today’s NFL (TalkSport).
The Bottom Line
From Saleh’s firing in New York to Richardson’s benching in Indianapolis and the unrest in Miami and East Rutherford, the pattern is consistent. Teams preach long-term development, yet short-term pressure often wins. The 2025-26 season is still young, but if the happenings over the past year are anything to go by, then we can expect every loss to bring not just pressure inside the locker room, but reactions from the stands that teams can no longer ignore.
Main Image: Trevor Ruszkowski – Imagn Images
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