This is already one of the most intriguing NFL coaching carousels we’ve ever seen, and there’s still a ton to be resolved. One big-market team, however, appears to have landed the first big hire.
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The New York Giants and John Harbaugh, heavily regarded as the top candidate in this coaching pool, are close to finalizing a deal that would make Harbaugh the next head coach of the Giants, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on early Thursday. Harbaugh was fired on Jan. 6 after 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Before the Giants-Harbaugh news hit, there was another monumental shift in the coaching ranks Tuesday, as longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped away from the team after a 19-year run. His decision comes less than 24 hours after the Steelers lost 30-6 against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. With the move, the Steelers will look to hire their third coach since 1969.
The NFL coaching carousel was spinning fast the week after the regular season ended. On Saturday, the Atlanta Falcons officially hired franchise legend Matt Ryan as their new president of football operations. The move was expected following the firings of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
The Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last Thursday, and a day later, they 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 Ravens stunned the league by parting ways with Harbaugh. That job quickly became the most attractive vacancy of the bunch, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab.
The changes haven’t been limited to just head coaches. The Philadelphia Eagles removed Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator on Tuesday after an underwhelming year for Jalen Hurts and company. The Los Angeles Chargers parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman after another playoff whimper. And as was widely expected, the Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus last week 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 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. The Commanders promoted assistant QBs coach David Blough to offensive coordinator.
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Here’s a full list of the head coaches who will need to be replaced this offseason.
STEPPED DOWNMike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
Record with team: 201-126-2 (including playoffs), 19 seasons
Why he stepped down: After nearly two decades of success in Pittsburgh, Tomlin faced criticism in recent seasons for his failure to make deep postseason runs. It’s possible those demands began to weigh on Tomlin after such a long time coaching. It’s also possible he was simply ready to take a break after nearly 20 years in a high-stress role. Since Tomlin is leaving — and was not fired — the Steelers still hold his rights should he want to return to coaching. Tomlin also could opt to take a gap year or two before returning to the game. If he decides to get back into coaching, he would presumably be a highly sought-after target for teams.
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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.
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Record with team: 193-124 (including playoffs), 18th season
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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
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.
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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
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).
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Record with team: 4-19, one full season and six games
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.
NFL coaching news live blogLive194 updates
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 5:19 PM PST
Jack Baer
The Niners defensive coordinator and former Jets head coach has been an active name this month.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM PST
Jack Baer
The team needs both a head coach and an offensive coordinator. McDaniel could be a fit for either depending on how the coaching market shakes out.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM PST
Criss Partee
Tennessee will wrap up its first round of interviews for their head coach position this weekend with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The Titans will begin round two of interviews beginning Monay.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 12:31 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 12:22 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed passing game coordinator Marcus Brady for their offensive coordinator opening, according to the team.
Brady is coming off his second season with the Chargers and was previously a senior offensive consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles. Before Brady’s time with the Eagles, he was the offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. The 46-year-old coach also has experience as an offensive coordinator in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.
The Chargers fired former offensive coordinator Greg Roman after two seasons with the team.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 12:15 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach is interviewing for the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Gannon was 15-36 in three seasons as the Cardinals’ head coach. Before joining the Cardinals, Gannon was the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. The 43-year-old coach also spent time coaching with the Colts, Vikings, Titans, Falcons and the University of Louisville.
The Commanders fired former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury after their 5-12 season. The Commanders recently promoted assistant quarterback coach David Blough to offensive coordinator.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM PST
Criss Partee
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker coach NaVorro Bowman will be stepping away from the team. His son is a top-ranked high school basketball player, and Bowman wants to be more involved in his future.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 12:06 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 8:59 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Hafley has run the Packers’ defense since 2024. He’s a known commodity for new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was in the Green Bay organization since 2004 and the franchise’s vice president of player personnel from 2022-2025.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 8:29 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Miami Dolphins will hold interviews with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh for the vacant head coach position on Thursday.
Minter has performed as the Chargers’ DC the past two seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh and formed one of the best defenses in the NFL. Saleh began his second stint as DC in San Francisco this season, following four years in New York as the Jets head coach.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 7:37 AM PST
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t wasting time after losing head coach Mike Tomlin. The team has a number of interviews lined up following Tomlin’s departure. It reportedly wants to add another one, as Pittsburgh has reportedly asked to interview Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Evero, 45, has been Carolina’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
Prior to that, he filled the same role with the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 6:19 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Smith has spoken to the Titans and has been requested to speak with the Cardinals for head coaching jobs. This interview request is to replace offensive coordinator John Morton, whom the Lions fired after one season.
Thu, January 15, 2026 at 5:07 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Tennessee Titans are set to interview a number of head-coaching candidates over the weekend, per MMQB’s Albert Breer.
Former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy will speak with the team Saturday. San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will meet with the team Sunday.
Despite those interviews, Breer mentions that former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is viewed as a “strong candidate” in Tennessee.
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 9:45 PM PST
Jack Baer
John Harbaugh might have left the Giants’ building, but he was apparently still available on the phone. The Giants were reported late Wednesday night to be working to finalize a deal with the former Ravens coach.
The two sides are reportedly still negotiating contract numbers, but an agreement is expected.
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 4:54 PM PST
Ryan Young
After an incredibly long interview with the Giants, which included quarterback Jaxson Dart, John Harbaugh is finally on his way home.
For more on the Giants’ “massive push” to land Harbaugh, click here.
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:54 PM PST
Ryan Young
After interviewing with the Ravens, Jesse Minter has gotten a request for an interview from the Steelers, too.
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
The New York Giants made their best effort to get a deal done with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh … but he’s reportedly leaving the facility following his in-person interview without a contract.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes that Harbaugh still plans to meet with Tennessee Titans officials regarding their head coach opening after leaving the Giants’ facility:
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:13 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
The New York Giants are laying out all of their cards in their quest to land John Harbaugh as their next head coach. And it certainly appears that those cards include 2025 first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart, as he reportedly was included in the meeting during Harbaugh’s official interview with the team:
Wed, January 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM PST
Criss Partee
Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has completed his in-person interview in Tampa with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and said it “went good.”
Monken spent the last three years as the OC in Baltimore. He was the OC for one season (2019) in Cleveland and also spent three years in Tampa Bay as offensive coordinator under head coach Dirk Koetter.