NFL Week 12 Quarterback Updates and Coaching Hot Seats

The 2025 NFL season has reached its critical stretch, with Week 12 bringing significant questions about quarterback health, rookie development, and coaching stability across the league. As teams position themselves for playoff pushes or evaluate their futures, several key storylines are emerging that could shape the remainder of the season and beyond.

Quarterback Return Timelines

The Cincinnati Bengals are carefully managing Joe Burrow's return from a toe injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. According to ESPN reports, Burrow is targeting the Thanksgiving Day game against the Ravens for his comeback. The Bengals plan to increase his practice workload this week, monitoring how his toe responds to determine if he can be activated for the crucial divisional matchup. Despite Cincinnati's 3-7 record, Burrow appears determined to return this season regardless of playoff implications, believing that playing could help build confidence and momentum for both himself and the team.

In Washington, Jayden Daniels' situation is more complex. The Commanders have a bye week to evaluate whether to bring back their quarterback from a left elbow injury suffered in Week 9. While the initial plan was for Daniels to return once medically cleared, the team's 3-8 record and Daniels' durability concerns this season have prompted discussions about potentially shutting him down for the remainder of the year. Sources indicate Washington has braced for an absence of five to six weeks as a precautionary measure.

Vikings' Quarterback Concerns

The Minnesota Vikings face a challenging situation with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has struggled through his first five NFL starts. Accuracy issues have been the primary concern, with balls sailing and affecting the entire offensive operation. Coach Kevin O'Connell has emphasized that McCarthy needs to "hit the layups" and find more consistency as a thrower. Despite these challenges, the organization still believes in McCarthy's work ethic and overall skill set, describing him as "made of the right stuff."

The Vikings' dual goals of competing for championships while developing a young quarterback appear to be conflicting, as noted by ESPN's Kevin Seifert. With Carson Wentz undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery and undrafted free agent Max Brosmer needing more seasoning, Minnesota has limited alternatives to McCarthy. The team will use the final seven games to evaluate whether their significant investment in building around a rookie quarterback will pay dividends or require an offseason pivot.

Coaching Hot Seat Watch

Several NFL coaches find themselves under increasing pressure as the season progresses. Cincinnati's Zac Taylor faces scrutiny as the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite Burrow's impending return, Taylor's job security could depend on whether the team can rally down the stretch. In Atlanta, Raheem Morris is only in his second season but the Falcons' failure to meet competitive expectations has put him on the watch list, despite being a personal favorite of owner Arthur Blank.

Mike McDaniel in Miami appeared to be in serious trouble earlier this season but has potentially salvaged his position with back-to-back wins and maintained player engagement. The Dolphins' response to McDaniel suggests he might survive despite earlier speculation about his departure. Other coaches generating discussion include Arizona's Jonathan Gannon and Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski, though organizational factors and contract situations will play significant roles in any decisions.

Emerging Coaching Candidates

This year's coaching candidate market appears more wide open than recent cycles, without clear standout favorites. The group of former head coaches with coordinator experience will likely be factors, including Vance Joseph, whose Denver defense is threatening NFL sack records. Robert Saleh (San Francisco), Brian Flores (Minnesota), and Jeff Hafley (Green Bay) represent strong defensive candidates who were prominent in last offseason's searches.

On the offensive side, potential candidates include Joe Brady (Buffalo), Arthur Smith (Pittsburgh), Matt Nagy (Kansas City), and Kliff Kingsbury (Washington), though Kingsbury's stock may have fallen with the Commanders' disappointing season. This could be a year where teams look beyond traditional coordinator roles to position coaches with potential, such as Josh McCown in Minnesota or Davis Webb in Denver, as the offensive coordinator pool has thinned in recent years.