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.
And the action wasn’t limited to Black Sunday and Monday, as the Dolphins on Thursday fired head coach Mike McDaniel. A day later, the Dolphins hired Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel, as their new general manager. Sullivan will help guide the search for McDaniel’s replacement.
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McDaniel’s firing came two days after the Baltimore Ravens stunned the league by parting ways with head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl win. That job quickly became the most attractive vacancy of the bunch, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
FIREDMike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Record with team: 35-35 (including playoffs), four seasons
Why he was fired: Things got off to a miserable start this season, as the Dolphins were embarrassed by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. From there, the Dolphins found increasingly inventive ways to lose. With the team at 1-6 to open the season, McDaniel and the Dolphins showed some life down the stretch. The team won five of its next six games, salvaging what, to that point, had been a miserable start. But that surge couldn’t save McDaniel … or Tua Tagovailoa.
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John 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.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Record with team: 15-36, three seasons
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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.
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Record with team: 3-14, one season
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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.
SAFETodd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record with team: 36-36 (including playoffs), fourth season
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Why he could have been 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’s 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. That appeared to be enough to save Bowles, who said Wednesday his job was safe after meeting with the Glazer family.
NFL coaching news live blogLive93 updates
Fri, January 9, 2026 at 7:24 AM PST
After John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week, the New York Giants are staying in touch with his reps ahead of next week’s interview.
Fri, January 9, 2026 at 7:19 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Jon-Eric Sullivan as the franchise’s new general manager, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sullivan has served as the vice president of player personnel of the Green Bay Packers since 2022. He will replace Chris Grier, who parted ways with the Dolphins in October after serving in the organization since 2000.
Fri, January 9, 2026 at 7:03 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Brady has been with the Bills since 2022 when he was named QB coach. He took over as interim OC in 2023 before being promoted to the job full-time in 2024.
Fri, January 9, 2026 at 6:45 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Minter has also been requested to speak with the Browns about their opening.
Fri, January 9, 2026 at 6:13 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The 46-year-old Durde joined the Seattle staff in 2024.
Browns OC Tommy Rees and DC Jim Schwartz, along with Bengals OC Dan Pitcher have already interviewed for the job.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 4:33 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The New York Jets have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter also reported that Jones is scheduled to interview for the Dallas Cowboys’ DC vacancy as well.
Jones has spent each of the past four seasons with the Vikings. Additionally, he was the team’s DBs coach in 2020. But in 2021, he served as LSU’s defensive coordinator, as part of Ed Orgeron’s final Tigers staff.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Tennessee Titans will interview former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy next Saturday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McCarthy also has an interview with the New York Giants, per Rapoport.
McCarthy has logged a 174-112-2 record as a head coach. He was responsible for three straight 12-win seasons in Dallas and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory during the 2010 season.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 3:39 PM PST
Criss Partee
The Atlanta Falcons completed their interview with Detroit Lions COO Mike Disner. Disner has been a respected executive in the NFL with multiple organizations for the past two decades.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 3:27 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
It did not take long for former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to draw interest after being fired on Thursday. The Detroit Lions have reached out to McDaniel about interviewing for the vacant offensive coordinator position, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McDaniel was 35–35 in his four seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach. Before his time with the Dolphins, he was the 49ers’ offensive coordinator.
The Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton after his first season back with the team. Morton was a senior offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022.
Despite Morton’s firing taking place on Tuesday, Campbell took over for Morton as the play caller in Week 10.
Detroit will also interview Commanders’ assistant QBs coach and former Lions quarterback David Blough for the OC job.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 1:39 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Interviews are lining up for Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans have requested to interview Hafley for their vacant positions, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Hafley can not interview until after Saturday’s wild-card game against the Chicago Bears. He is in his second season as the defensive coordinator of the Packers. Before his time in Green Bay, Hafley was the head coach at Boston College and the defensive coordinator at Ohio State.
Hafley was 22-26 during his time at Boston College.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 1:26 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Washington Commanders moved on from Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, but Kingsbury is still drawing head-coaching interest after what he accomplished with Jayden Daniels during the quarterback’s rookie season.
The Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans have requested Kingsbury to interview for their head-coaching vacancies, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Kingsbury served as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach from 2019-22 and posted a 28-37-1 record with one playoff appearance.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 1:15 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Cleveland Browns plan to interview defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their head coach vacancy, as announced on the team’s social media page.
Schwartz has served as the coordinator for the Browns for the past two seasons and boasts 29 years of NFL experience. Schwartz has been known for his aggressive 4-3 scheme. Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett set the NFL’s single-season sack record under Schwartz.
Before joining the Browns, Schwartz held defensive coordinator roles with the Eagles, Bills and Titans and spent five seasons as the Lions’ head coach, compiling a 29-51 record.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 12:16 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
You can add the Baltimore Ravens to the list of teams who have requested to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head-coaching vacancies, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter reported Thursday that Saleh now has interview requests from the Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans.
Saleh went 20-36 in three-plus seasons as the New York Jets’ head coach from 2021-24.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM PST
Sean Leahy
McGaughey was hired in Feb. 2024 after serving in the same role with the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets since 2014.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM PST
Criss Partee
It was announced that the Atlanta Falcons will begin interviewing candidates for the team’s president of football vacancy. CBS analyst and former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan appears to be the frontrunner for the position.
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 8:30 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 8:17 AM PST
Criss Partee
Bucs senior offensive consultant Tom Moore is retiring from coaching after 62 years, and 46 of those coming in the NFL. Moore’s wife suffered a stroke earlier this year. Moore was an offensive coordinator in the NFL from 1983 to 2009, working with Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Detroit, and Indianapolis.
“It’s time,” Moore said. “I’ve been fortunate to land in a lot of great places. This is a great place. The Glazers are fantastic owners. It doesn’t get any better than Jason Licht as general manager. Todd (Bowles) is great…it’s a tough business. I’ve been blessed.”
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 8:10 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Thu, January 8, 2026 at 7:37 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The Dolphins are moving on from Mike McDaniel days after the team finished the 2025 NFL season with a 7-10 record.
It’s a disappointing end for McDaniel, who looked like one of the best hires of the offseason in 2022. Despite being a relative unknown at the time, the Dolphins took a shot on McDaniel, who immediately delivered back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons with the team.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 4: Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field at halftime against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
(Kathryn Riley via Getty Images)