Will any more NFL coaches be fired before the end of the season?

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Jack Del Rio was the first NFL head coaching casualty of the season, fired Tuesday by the Jacksonville Jaguars. But will he be the last?

Writers from around Tribune Co. discuss the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the discussion by leaving a comment of your own.

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune

It is possible, maybe even probable, that other teams will follow the lead of the Jaguars and start their off-season housecleaning during the season. It used to be that NFL teams waited until the season ended to do their dirty work.

But it seems a trend has begun. Last year four teams fired their head coaches before the season ended, as Brad Childress, Josh McDaniels, Wade Phillips and Mike Singletary bit the dust early.

Making an early firing is a way to get a leg up on the competition in the hiring game. And what seems certain is there will be plenty of change coming.

People in the know would put the over/under for coaching changes to come at eight. Among the vulnerable appear to be Jim Caldwell of the Colts, Steve Spagnuolo of the Rams, Tony Sparano of the Dolphins and Norv Turner of the Chargers.

[Updated at 9:30 p.m.: Mike Berardino, South Florida Sun Sentinel

When the Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio this week, it sent aftershocks throughout a dozen NFL facilities.

By acting now, the Jaguars and new owner Shahid Khan haven’t just put themselves out front in the race to hire one of those ‘superstar’ coaches such as Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden or Jeff Fisher. They have reminded other eventual eliminations from the playoff hunt that the clock is ticking for them as well.

Who will be the next coach to go? That’s hard to say. Could be Jim Caldwell at winless Indianapolis. Norv Turner is obviously through in San Diego. Andy Reid, Steve Spagnuolo, Tony Sparano, Raheem Morris, Todd Haley, Leslie Frazier -– all of them should be renting, not buying.

Now that the Jags have acted, it’s just a matter of time before another franchise joins them at the front of the hiring line.]

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