Head coaching removal, and in some cases front-office figures, is in full swing across the NFL as teams that didn’t make the playoffs readjust in an attempt for a brighter 2026.
Black Sunday and Monday bled into Tuesday, as the Baltimore Ravens stunned the league by parting ways with head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl win. That job now becomes the most attractive vacancy of the bunch, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab.
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This week delivered the end for several other head coaches and one general manager, and the scramble begins to fill those positions.
The changes haven’t been limited to just head coaches. As was widely expected, the Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday after the team surrendered more than 500 points in a season for the first time in franchise history.
Staying in the NFC East, the Washington Commanders have reportedly moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and mutually agreed to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Both were part of Dan Quinn’s inaugural Commanders staff that helped lead Washington to its first conference title game appearance since the 1991 season. Kingsbury is expected to receive head-coaching consideration and to have OC options after assisting Jayden Daniels’ NFL breakout.
The first victims of the week were Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, who were both fired Sunday after the Falcons finished 8-9. Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan also could be returning to the organization in a new role as president of football.
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On Monday, the Cleveland Browns parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski. Two hours after Stefanski was let go, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Not long after that, the Arizona Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon following his third straight losing season.
Two head coaches, the Tennessee Titans’ Brian Callahan and the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll, lost their jobs during the season. Another whose status might have been in question, Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen, is returning next season, along with general manager Chris Ballard. The Cincinnati Bengals answered a similar question Monday, announcing the return of head coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin for another season.
Among those who appear to be safe from the latest round of firings is Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who is expected to be back in 2026 despite the team’s search for a new general manager, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
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Here’s the rundown on where the carousel currently stands, plus the latest coaching news updates. We also rank the top coaching openings, from least to most attractive. And here are the top candidates on the market to fill those vacancies.
FIREDJohn Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Record with team: 193-124 (including playoffs), 18th season
Why he was fired: The Ravens were surprisingly mediocre this season, and it can’t all be attributed to Lamar Jackson’s injuries. Their defense yo-yo’d between outright bad and competent, and some of Harbaugh’s in-game decisions have drawn scrutiny. Harbaugh has failed to get back to the Super Bowl with a two-time MVP quarterback in Jackson, and there had been a general sense that a breath of fresh air at head coach might be good for the Ravens.
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Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Record with team: 15-36, three seasons
Why he was fired: Gannon was hired in part to toughen up Arizona’s defense, and that didn’t really happen. This season’s unit was 26th in EPA per play allowed, 27th in success rate allowed, and in general hasn’t taken a step forward despite 17 of Gannon’s 28 draft picks being on that side of the ball, including six of seven last spring. It’s hard to say the Cardinals are demonstrably better than they were when Gannon was hired.
Potential replacements: Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
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Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Record with team: 3-14, one season
Why he was fired: Carroll was supposed to bring stability to the franchise, but it was more losing under the 74-year-old former Super Bowl winner. The Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs in their season finale to end a winless streak that dated to Week 6. The offseason trade for Carroll’s preferred QB Geno Smith never yielded much, the offensive and special teams coordinators were both fired in November, and now there was a dispute with Maxx Crosby over the star pass rusher being placed on injured reserve. None of it reflected well on Carroll, who was in over his head trying to fix a franchise where the rot goes much deeper (and higher).
Potential replacements: Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Giants coach Brian Daboll, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Record with team: 46-58 (including playoffs), six seasons
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Why he was fired: The Browns suffered their fourth losing record in six years under Stefanski, as well as a second straight year picking in the top seven of the draft. The cataclysmic Deshaun Watson trade is partly on Stefanski, who recruited him in the spring of 2022, and for all of Stefanski’s offensive acumen, none of the 13 quarterbacks who’ve started under his watch has proven to be the long-term solution.
Potential replacements: Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Record with team: 16-18, two seasons
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Why he was fired: Morris hadn’t been flat-out bad. The Falcons won their final four games of the season, seemingly helping Morris’ cause. But the Falcons regressed overall this season and the operation felt shaky under his watch. While he ended up a fall guy alongside general manager Terry Fontenot, who oversaw an all-in 2025 that included trading away the team’s first-round draft pick next spring, Morris didn’t always build the strongest case for himself. The Falcons now look like they will completely revamp their football operations department with former quarterback Matt Ryan poised to come in as Atlanta’s new president of football.
Potential replacements: Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
Record with team: 21-41-1, three full seasons and 10 games
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Why he was fired: Daboll won Coach of the Year in his first season in charge, leading the Giants to a playoff win behind Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. But injuries and underachievement dug a hole Daboll couldn’t coach his way out of, and his handling of the Giants’ overall operation — from game management to interfering with concussion protocol to repeatedly exposing 2025 first-round rookie QB Jaxson Dart to extra punishment in the run game — became too much for the franchise to bear.
Potential replacements: Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, former Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Record with team: 4-19, one full season and six games
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Why he was fired: Callahan was more successful at drawing attention to himself off the field than winning on it. He blew up at QB Will Levis multiple times during games, admitted he didn’t know a rule that cost the Titans early this season, excoriated referees and more. Despite his reputation as an offensive guru, it didn’t seem like No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward was making much progress under his auspices, and the Titans decided to admit their mistake and cut bait.
Potential replacements: Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
ON THE HOT SEATTodd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record with team: 36-36 (including playoffs), fourth season
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Why he might get fired: Despite winning Saturday against the Panthers, the Saints’ defeat Sunday blocked the Bucs from the postseason. Entering Week 18, Bowles’ Buccaneers lost seven of eight. The downturn came as they got healthier, which was confusing. There were some bad losses, and for a coach without a great career record, maybe there isn’t a reason to believe things will be decidedly better in the 2026 season.
Why he might be safe: Bowles was on the verge of his fourth straight division title, albeit in a mediocre NFC South. This is the first time in Bowles’ run with Tampa that the Bucs haven’t made the postseason.
NFL coaching news live blogLive52 updates
Wed, January 7, 2026 at 6:57 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Nagy was previously head coach of the Bears from 2018-2021 and was 34-31 with two playoff appearances.
He was a senior assistant and quarterbacks coach when he returned to the Chiefs in 2022. The following year he was promoted to offensive coordinator and helped the franchise win Super Bowl LVIII.
Wed, January 7, 2026 at 6:32 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Tennessee Titans are reportedly interviewing Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for the team’s vacant head-coaching position Thursday, per Albert Breer.
Spagnuolo has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has won three Super Bowl championships with the franchise.
Spagnuolo has head-coaching experience. He spent three season with the Rams from 2009 to 2011, compiling a 10-38 record. He also served as the New York Giants’ interim head coach for four games in 2017, going 1-3.
Wed, January 7, 2026 at 5:19 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The New York Giants were busy Tuesday evening with the John Harbaugh news broke. The team was having dinner with another coaching candidate, former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
That dinner went well enough that Stefanski will meet with the team Wednesday.
Stefanski was among the top candidates available … at least until Harbaugh’s firing.
The Giants are exploring speaking to multiple coaches about the opening, including former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Harbaugh could also be considered, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Wed, January 7, 2026 at 5:09 AM PST
Chris Cwik
After spending the 2025 NFL season out of the league, former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is looking to make a comeback. McCarthy is set to interview for the New York Giants’ head-coaching job Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
McCarthy, 62, has a career .608 winning percentage over 18 years as a head coach.
He’s made 12 playoff appearances over that period, winning a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2010.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 6:41 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
Understandably, reporters are curious as to whether or not Rams head coach Sean McVay has received any requests for his assistants to be interviewed for head coaching positions.
He had some jokes:
There have been plenty of head coaches who have worked under McVay who went on to earn head coaching positions eventually, both offensive and defensive-minded, including Liam Coen, Matt LaFleur, Raheem Morris, Kevin O’Connell, Brandon Staley and Zac Taylor.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
The Atlanta Falcons are lining up several more interviews for the new role of president of football operations
Among the recently announced candidates are Panthers executive vice president Brandt Tilis and Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.
The role will oversee the team’s general manager and head coach.
Tillis and Disner will face stiff competition for the position, with multiple reports indicating that former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is a leading candidate to assume the role.
Prior to his stint with the Panthers, Tilis spent 14 years in the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office, serving as vice president of football operations from 2021 to 2023.
Diser was named the team’s COO in 2022, following a memorable inaugural season with head coach Dan Campbell, where the team went 3-13-1, leading up to a conference championship appearance in 2023.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 5:52 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly made another interview request for their head opening, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday evening.
Seahawks second-year defensive coordinator Aden Durde reportedly joins the list after a stellar season that has helped land the team as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs.
In Durde’s second season as DC, Seattle’s defense allowed a league-low 292 points and the second-fewest yards per play (4.6), while ranking top-five in turnovers (25).
In the three seasons prior to his stint with the Seahawks, Durde worked as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Before that, he was a coaching intern for the Atlanta Falcons, eventually promoted to defensive assistant and then outside linebackers coach.
In addition to his time under Seattle coach Mike Macdonald, he’s also worked under Jason Garrett, Mike McCarthy and Dan Quinn.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 3:07 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Tennessee Titans have opened an expansive head-coaching search, which reportedly includes former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
The Titans will interview Garrett for the vacancy, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Currently a studio analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America,” Garrett hasn’t coached since the 2021 season.
Most notably, he served as the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach from 2010-19 and posted an 85-67 record.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 2:58 PM PST
Criss Partee
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has gotten requests to interview for the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons head coaching jobs.
Right now, his focus is on the postseason, so he’ll take a couple of days to figure out a plan to balance all of it. The Seahawks are the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 2:16 PM PST
Jason Owens
It’s the end of an era in Baltimore.
The Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported — just two days after a loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers knocked them out of the postseason. The loss concluded a campaign that started with Super Bowl expectations but ended out of the playoffs for the first time in Baltimore since 2021.
The Ravens got off to a 1-5 start that was exacerbated by multiple injuries to two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. They rallied to improve to 6-5 to get back into playoff contention and had a chance to make the postseason Sunday night. But they needed to beat the Steelers to clinch that berth, and they didn’t.
It proved to be the final straw for Harbaugh’s tenure in a tumultuous last season with the team.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM PST
Criss Partee
The Detroit Lions have announced that the team is parting ways with offensive coordinator John Morton after one season. Detroit regressed this season after winning 15 games last year and making it to the NFC title game two years ago.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 1:19 PM PST
Criss Partee
The New York Giants will interview former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for the head coaching job on Wednesday. Stefanski was fired by the Browns on Monday after six years, two playoff appearances, and two Coach of the Year awards.
Stefanski led the Browns to the franchise’s first playoff win since 1994 during the 2020 campaign. Bill Belichick was coaching the team in 1994, and that wild card victory came over the New England Patriots.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 11:41 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Clemson Tigers had explored an inquiry on Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their previous OC vacancy. The University filled that role earlier this month with Chad Morris. According to Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson and her sources, Clemson could not wait on Monken.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 11:27 AM PST
Criss Partee
It is being reported that if Atlanta hires former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football, he would leave his broadcasting job at CBS, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. They are still working to complete the process with Ryan.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 9:44 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to interview this week for the Raiders’, Cardinals’, Giants’ and Titans’ head-coaching jobs, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Joseph currently oversees a Broncos defense that allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.3) this season. Before taking over as Denver’s DC ahead of the 2023 season, he served as Arizona’s DC from 2019-22.
Joseph has previous head-coaching experience. He went 11-21 in two seasons leading the Broncos from 2017-18.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 9:13 AM PST
Criss Partee
Washington is cleaning house today after mutually parting ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders are also reportedly moving on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 9:04 AM PST
Criss Partee
One name to watch for the Dallas Cowboys’ recently vacant defensive coordinator position is current Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores. While the Vikings took a step back as a team overall this season, Flores has been praised for the job he’s done with the defense over the past three years.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 9:03 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Washington Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have decided to mutually part ways after just two seasons. In year one of Kingsbury’s tenure, the Commanders made it to the NFC championship game. This season, they regressed and missed the postseason altogether.
Kingsbury is expected to receive interest for head coaching and offensive coordinator positions.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 8:29 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Tennessee Titans have three interviews scheduled for the week in their search to fill the head coaching vacancy.
Wednesday: Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo
Thursday: Kansa City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy
Saturday: Former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski
Stefanski was let go by Cleveland on Monday following a 5-12 campaign. In six seasons as Browns head coach Stefanski led them to two winning seasons, two playoff appearances and was a two-time Coach of the Year award winner.
Tue, January 6, 2026 at 7:38 AM PST
Kate Magdziuk