Lewis, Wilks among head coaches let go

Sean Payton despises the term “Black Monday.” And he’s one of the coaches who always survives it.

Six head coaches were fired as the NFL season concluded, four of them on Monday. Two more, Mike McCarthy with the Packers and Hue Jackson with the Browns, didn’t even make it that far.

Payton, finishing his 13th season with the Saints and now owning the secondlongest tenure with a team after the Bengals fired Marvin Lewis, had some strong words about how the coaching carousel gets derailed every year.

“Our owners’ network that they own have created this,” Payton said, referring to NFL Network that is owned by the league, “marketed this and sold this ‘Black Monday,’ and that’s just disappointing.”

In reference to Lewis, who was with the Bengals since 2003, but went an all-time worst 0-7 in the playoffs, Payton added: “He’s been a fabulous coach, but I don’t want to comment on anyone or all of them (who were fired).”

He added that the whole Black Monday scene, which some media outlets promote the way they do actual competition, is “ridiculous.”

Payton and every other coach in pro sports recognize that change is understandable and at times necessary. As long as it is thought out and includes a plan for the future, revision can make sense.

When it’s more on an owner’s whim or due to some serious impatience, that’s another story.

Steve Wilks , fired after a 3-13 record in his first — and only — season with the Cardinals, might be a case in point. Had Bruce Arians not retired, he still would have been with the Cardinals, but Wilks was a hot candidate for several openings last offseason following his work as the Panthers defensive coordinator. Barring a full-out revolt by the players, as happened with Ben McAdoo and the Giants in 2017, how is one year enough to judge a head coach’s capabilities?

Also fired Monday were Vance Joseph (Broncos) and Adam Gase (Dolphins). On Sunday night, Todd Bowles (Jets) and Dirk Koetter (Buccaneers) were let go.

Foles will play: Nick Foles will start at quarterback for the Eagles despite a chest injury when the defending Super Bowl champions play the Bears in an NFC wildcard game Sunday in Chicago.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Foles is “feeling good” and will be ready. Nate Sudfeld will serve as the backup.

Foles is 6-0 in must-win games filling in for regular starter Carson Wentz the last two seasons, including 3-0 in the playoffs and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in a 41-33 victory over the Patriots.

Extra points: The Falcons fired offensive coordinator Steve Sarkasian, defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong . ... Titans LB Brian Orakpo announced that he’s retiring after 10 seasons. Orakpo, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, played in and started 13 games this season, finishing with 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and 28 tackles.