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Who’s on NFL’s ‘hot seat’? The Bears are out of the playoff chase. What does that mean for Lovie Smith? How hot is his seat? Here’s your chance to rank all the NFL coaches. NBCSports.com

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Redskins
The craziness of the past month will serve only to drive up the demands of the next head coach, who'll want hazard pay and full control. The question is whether owner Daniel Snyder will be willing to step aside. In 2001, he did that — but for one year only — firing Marty Schottenheimer after an 8-8 season.

Bears
Though many regard the franchise as being averse to buying out contracts, a poor outcome to a season of high hopes could force a change. As in San Diego, the identity of the next coach will depend on whether the Bears fire coach Lovie Smith only, or whether GM Jerry Angelo gets a pink slip, too.

Packers
The team didn't insert in the Brett Favre trade a term requiring the Jets to give up three first-round picks if Favre were traded to the Vikings because Green Bay wanted to save Brett from the embarrassment of being beaten twice by his old team. The Packers feared precisely what has occurred this year — a two-game sweep by a divisional rival with Favre at the helm. Depending on the whether the Packers make the playoffs and whether the Vikings finish with fewer than four losses, a house-cleaning could occur. And if the job becomes open, Jon Gruden's perpetual scowl could become a smile, if only for a moment.

Panthers
Barring a miracle of a much greater magnitude than Sunday's upset of the Cardinals, coach John Fox likely will be gone after this year. And the early speculation continues to focus on Bill Cowher, given both his proximity to Charlotte and a stated desire by owner Jerry Richardson to emulate the Rooneys, who own the franchise where Cowher spent 15 seasons.

Buccaneers
If the Bucs don't win a game, it would be difficult — if not impossible — for the team to give Raheem Morris a second season. The decision ultimately could hinge on whether Gruden and former GM Bruce Allen get new jobs, which would cut off the buyout obligation and make it easier to dump (but still pay) Morris, and possibly GM Mark Dominik. That said, the suddenly dysfunctional Buccaneers would likely encounter difficulty in attracting a high-end coach. The perception is that the team won't spend enough money to be competitive, and until that changes, the job in Tampa won't be regarded as an attractive one.

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