Former New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini had an insightful prediction about team owner Woody Johnson ahead of the Week 5 loss in London, which ultimately led to coach Robert Saleh’s dismissal on Tuesday.

Mangini believed that Johnson’s previous role as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom made this game more significant than a typical non-conference matchup abroad.

“This is an absolute must-win,” Mangini commented on Fox’s “First Things First.” “All of his friends will be there, and after they’ve had their tea and crumpets, he’ll want to be bragging about how well his team is doing.”

The 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, led by former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, was the final straw for Johnson, whose decision to fire Saleh after a 2-3 start has sent shockwaves through the organization.

This move serves as a reminder that team owners can make major decisions for any reason, especially when their patience runs out. Mangini, who coached the Jets from 2006 to 2008, understood the delicate balance of ownership expectations.

We often hear about coaches being under pressure, but these situations are just as much about ownership decisions as they are about coaching performance.

Examining Johnson’s Jets and nine other notable teams helps clarify the current state of affairs.

Johnson’s Jets, Mark Davis’ Las Vegas Raiders, Jimmy and Dee Haslam’s Cleveland Browns, David Tepper’s Carolina Panthers, and Shad Khan’s Jacksonville Jaguars all fall into the first category: sub-.500 teams with owners managing difficult situations. The remaining five owners fall into other groups.

The loss to the Darnold-led Vikings in London was just one factor. The New York Giants’ upset win against Seattle on the road may have added to the pressure.

“I think Woody’s rivalry with the Giants also played a role,” an executive from another team said. “With the Giants winning in Seattle and the Jets struggling again, Woody couldn’t afford to lose the headlines to the Giants, especially when you’ve got Aaron Rodgers and they’ve got Daniel Jones.”

No Jets coach has posted an overall winning record since Week 9 of the 2016 season, when Todd Bowles was 13-12-1. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich will have a chance to change that against Buffalo on Monday night.

Firing a coach after a 2-3 start is unusual in recent NFL history.

“For some owners, the team is just a toy, and the coach is a pawn,” another executive said.

Antonio Pierce has become the Raiders’ fourth coach in as many seasons, counting interim coaches. Despite a 2-3 start in his first full season, panic hasn’t set in yet. However, the Raiders have already benched quarterback Gardner Minshew and are exploring trade options for their disgruntled star receiver, Davante Adams.

It’s challenging to identify a consistent decision-making strategy with Davis. He has a reputation for being loyal to players, both current and former. After a strong push from the players, Davis promoted Pierce to full-time head coach, even though other teams hadn’t considered him seriously (Maxx Crosby, a Pro Bowl defensive end, wanted to stay but noted, “If we go in another direction, nothing is off the table.”). Davis has also consulted with former Raiders staff like Ken Herock, who played for the team in the 1960s and worked in their front office in the 1970s.

Sometimes, decisions seem based on emotions or the advice of whoever happens to have Davis’ ear.

“There’s no doubt that Mark Davis thinks differently about his team than Woody Johnson,” an executive explained. “Davis grew up around the Raiders and believes he understands football because of his father, Al Davis. He’s very focused on former players.”

Davis reportedly regretted not making Rich Bisaccia the full-time head coach after Jon Gruden’s departure, which likely influenced his decision to promote Pierce. Hiring Pierce, who has relatively little experience, led to the decision to bring in Tom Telesco as GM due to his previous experience in the role.

Many are questioning if football decisions within the Raiders’ organization are being made for the right reasons, with some executives doubting whether there is anyone in the organization who can speak frankly to Davis.

“The Raiders have been an organization of ‘yes men’ for years,” one executive said.

In Cleveland, GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski are respected, but the handling of quarterback Deshaun Watson could derail everything. Watson’s performance has been underwhelming, ranking near the bottom in key statistics. Meanwhile, former Cleveland quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco are thriving elsewhere.

The Haslams gave contract extensions to Berry and Stefanski before the season, suggesting ownership was fully behind the decision to acquire Watson and give him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. But unless Watson’s play improves, there’s a reckoning on the horizon.

Tepper’s Panthers have seen numerous coaching changes since he purchased the team in 2018, with little consistency. Tepper hired Dave Canales, who had no other interviews for head coaching positions, to develop quarterback Bryce Young, but after just two games, Young was benched.

A Week 5 win over Indianapolis eased some pressure in Jacksonville, where Khan had set lofty expectations for the season. However, Pederson’s below-.500 record has raised questions about his future. Jacksonville’s fortunes hinge on quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the team’s $275 million investment in him.

Khan, generally regarded as a reasonable owner, has taken steps to keep the Jaguars competitive in a tough market.

“When I think of dysfunctional teams, Jacksonville doesn’t come to mind,” an executive said. “Khan just hasn’t figured out how to win, but it’s not for lack of trying.”

Since Khan bought the Jaguars in 2012, the team has won just 61 games—fewer than any other NFL team during that span.

Even for Super Bowl-winning owners with Super Bowl-caliber coaches, like Jerry Jones’ Cowboys and Jeffrey Lurie’s Eagles, there are unique challenges. McCarthy and Sirianni both have strong records, but pressure remains high.

Meanwhile, more patient owners like Gayle Benson of the Saints and Kevin Warren of the Bears have stuck by their sub-.500 coaches, believing in long-term success despite short-term struggles.

As the NFL season unfolds, these ownership dynamics will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the fortunes of these teams.er as owner for his late father in 2005, one year after Tom Coughlin’s hiring. That explains why Coughlin isn’t listed among the coaches Mara hired.