NFL Teams Entering Make-or-Break Offseasons in 2015

The conclusion to the 2014 NFL season featured five head coaching changes, bringing renewed hope and optimism for the franchises that have been stuck rudderless in their recent past. Many were in make-or-break situations and failed to meet the expectations set forth by ownership and fans.

The lifespan for head coaches seems to be dwindling even more as seasons pass. As broadcast rights continue to skyrocket, winning franchises want more exposure and success to get a bigger slice of the profit pie. That puts NFL front offices and coaches in the spotlight to produce quickly, or else they’ll be recycled.

With the offseason in full swing, it’s the time for personnel decision-makers to tweak or overhaul their rosters to make a playoff push in 2015. We’re going to take a look at six teams that could see either coaching or major roster changes if this offseason doesn’t bear fruitful results next season.

After back-to-back free-agency splurges in 2013 and 2014 failed to lead to a playoff appearance, the Miami Dolphins have to trim some veteran contracts this offseason. Second-year general manager Dennis Hickey will have around $2 million to work with before any contracts are adjusted, leaving him with little room to improve a roster lacking impact players.

Head coach Joe Philbin surprisingly returns as head coach after two straight late-season collapses when the playoffs were in sight. Should he be unable to deliver a playoff appearance in 2015, however, his reign in Miami likely ends.

Owner Stephen Ross has invested $400 million into Sun Life Stadium, so he's going to need to see immediate dividends. The best way to recoup that money is to host playoff games, which Miami hasn't done since 2008.

A new Dolphins regime in 2016 could spell major turnover to the roster, depending on its vision. Notable free agents include quarterback Ryan Tannehill, running back Lamar Miller, defensive end Olivier Vernon and center Mike Pouncey. If Hickey and Philbin don't deliver this offseason, everyone's future in Miami must be considered in doubt.

The first two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles' head coach have been good but not great for Chip Kelly. Kelly, an offensive mastermind, has turned average talents like Mark Sanchez and Nick Foles into hot commodities. More importantly, the Eagles have had two straight winning seasons despite a terrible defense.

But the heat in Philadelphia is going to be more prominent if Kelly doesn't deliver a playoff win this season. Without a formidable franchise quarterback on the current roster, it's going to be difficult to achieve that, no matter how innovative and impressive Kelly is.

Coming off a successful power struggle with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, Kelly could still be inching toward a return to college. The NFL is a much different challenge than the collegiate game, and if Kelly doesn't land his former quarterback Marcus Mariota in the 2015 draft, his ability to be a legitimate Super Bowl threat may be limited.

Now that Kelly's show-cause penalty is off his record, he's free to return to the NCAA at any time. If this offseason doesn't bear fruit that pays off in the fall, he may decide he wants to take over a traditional power-college program.

Despite establishing some positive momentum toward future improvement by obtaining a 7-9 record in 2014, the Cleveland Browns continue to be a tumultuous situation for the front office and players. When ownership changed from Randy Lerner to Jimmy Haslam, there was great optimism that the dark days couldn't continue to be so bad.

Two years into Haslam's ownership, that sentiment seems long gone. As Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported, Haslam's meddling in football issues has created a toxic situation that will cost the Browns dearly.

Not only did the team lose a fantastic offensive coordinator in Kyle Shanahan just one season into his contract, but one of the only playmakers left on the offense wants to flee the situation as a free agent this offseason. According to La Canfora, tight end Jordan Cameron has no interest in returning and will look elsewhere for employment.

Add in the recent allegations against general manager Ray Farmer, the Johnny Manziel rehabilitation situation and Josh Gordon's suspension, and the Browns are a mess on every level. This is a franchise that needs continuity and positive juju, but they haven't come yet.

Cleveland should be able to retain free agents and lure new talent, as the team has a projected $50 million in cap space to work with. Add in solid players like Joe Thomas, Joe Haden, Donte Whitner and others, and this should be considered a good place to be for free agents and coaches.

But the meddlesome owner has already proved to be irrational with his decision-making. When he cleaned house of his own hires just one year into his new role, the Browns instantly became one of the least desirable destinations in the league.

Nevertheless, if the Browns fail to win in 2015, we could see more turnover in the form of coaching staff and roster. Building a winner takes time and patience, but neither seems to be on the docket for Haslam.

The St. Louis Rams have been snakebitten when it comes to enduring injuries at crucial positions, as former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford has been able to finish a season just two times in his five-year career. It's now at the point where the Rams must consider alternative solutions because of Bradford's troubles staying on the field.

Despite the injuries to Bradford, head coach Jeff Fisher hasn't exactly inspired confidence that the Rams will become more than a middling team. He hasn't produced an above-.500 season his last five years and has only had a winning record in six of 20 years of experience. He's been the definition of what a mediocre coach looks like for his career.

Fisher had the chance to significantly upgrade the offense this offseason when Brian Schottenheimer left his coordinator position for the same title at the University of Georgia. Instead of hiring an outside candidate with experience developing quarterbacks or running a creative offense, he hired the Rams' quarterbacks coach, Frank Cignetti. Cignetti hails from Rutgers, a program certainly not known for offensive ingenuity.

Entering the offseason over the cap, the Rams need to do some serious roster trimming to upgrade a struggling offense. Bradford, left tackle Jake Long and defensive end Kendall Langford are all ripe for releases to help open over $20 million in cap space. Even with that possibility, the Rams need to address the quarterback question.

If Fisher and general manager Les Snead are unable to land a top rookie quarterback like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, the 2015 offseason could be a breaking point for their respective careers. Another 8-8 season in St. Louis won’t exactly incite warm feelings from the fanbase or ownership.

Another rocky season by Tom Coughlin's New York Giants could have reasonably led to his retirement after 2014, but the Giants will be giving him another opportunity in 2015. Coughlin has the clout to have earned his return, as he's established himself as one of the finest coaches across the NFL.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese is also great at his job, and although his job status is likely safe, he surely knows that 2015 is a crucial season. If the Giants don't show improvement next season, several difficult roster decisions will be present. Most crucial will be what to do with quarterback Eli Manning.

The Giants have endured some brutal seasons by Manning, but 2014 saw improvement as the team adjusted to a new offense. Adding Odell Beckham Jr. was also a big boost, but the offense still has numerous needs, and the defense is aging quickly.

With free agents Antrel Rolle, Jason Pierre-Paul, Larry Donnell and Mark Herzlich, the Giants will need to decide whether to retain in-house guys or try to upgrade in free agency. New York has just $16 million to work with as the offseason begins. That's a limited amount of resources to improve a roster that needs several important upgrades.

When Gus Bradley accepted the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching position, it was a known rebuild that would take years to fortify one of the weakest rosters across the NFL. Predictably, the team has been a bottom-feeder while Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell have tried to build through the draft. It's a long process that requires luck, skill and patience.

So far, the team has had little luck with some of the talent on the roster.

Star wide receiver Justin Blackmon has had a myriad of off-field issues, and although he could return next season, it's up to the commissioner whether he's allowed back. Rookie quarterback Blake Bortles was forced into playing right away. He struggled dearly without a competent offense around him and reverted to some of his nasty college tendencies. The decision to select him over Teddy Bridgewater with the Jaguars' 2014 first-round pick could prove franchise-altering if Bortles doesn't turn it around.

Bradley and Caldwell may not be at risk of losing their jobs after 2015, but the franchise needs a productive offseason. Armed with $60 million in cap space and the No. 3 overall pick, the right combination of free agents and draft picks can bring the Jaguars roster much closer to competing for a divisional title in the near future.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com. All salary-cap figures via OvertheCap.com.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft.

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