The NFL coaching carousel kept right on spinning late Monday night, with the Tennessee Titans reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Robert Saleh as their new head coach.
Saleh spent the past season as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator after being fired by the New York Jets in 2024. He‘s had good defenses wherever he’s been, and now he gets a chance to help stabilize the Titans franchise and build a winner around No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
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The Buffalo Bills shocked the league Monday morning by firing their head coach, Sean McDermott. General manager Brandon Beane will reportedly retain his job and find McDermott’s replacement.
Meanwhile, the Bills’ AFC East rival, the Miami Dolphins, finalized their own head coaching hire with Jeff Hafley, who spent the past two years as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator.
The moves follow a busy weekend that saw the two biggest names on the NFL head coaching market officially find new teams to lead.
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After about two days of curious silence since news broke of their pending union, the New York Giants and John Harbaugh finalized their deal Saturday, and the Giants made the hire official. The deal is expected to be five years in length and with a total value of $100 million — one of the largest contracts in the league — according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
Harbaugh becomes the Giants’ fifth head coach (seven counting interims) since Tom Coughlin resigned in January 2016. Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is reportedly expected to join Harbaugh on his staff.
Also on Saturday, the Atlanta Falcons officially announced that Kevin Stefanski will be the team’s next head coach. The former Cleveland Browns coach takes over for Raheem Morris, becoming the Falcons’ third head coach in the past six seasons and 20th in franchise history.
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Green Bay, meanwhile, is standing pat with its leadership. Head coach Matt LaFleur is reportedly getting a contract extension, as is general manager Brian Gutekunst. There was some question if LaFleur would return after the Packers lost their last five games, including blowing an 18-point lead against the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round, but the Packers’ braintrust ultimately chose to bring them back after injuries ravaged what looked at times like a Super Bowl team this season.
Here’s a rundown of the hirings, firings and buzzy situations to watch.
HIREDJohn Harbaugh, New York Giants
Head coaching record: 180-113 regular season, 13-11 playoffs (including a Super Bowl title), 18 seasons with Baltimore Ravens
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Why he was hired: The Giants have had four full-time head coaches and two interims since Tom Coughlin resigned after the 2015 season, and they’re fed up with the turnover. Harbaugh is 63, but he has a lot of juice left and figures to bring stability to a proud franchise that’s fallen on some of the hardest times it’s ever faced. (The Giants’ 59 wins since 2015 are the second-fewest in the NFL, ahead of only the Jets).
There’s talent to develop on the roster between QB Jaxson Dart (who might sync well with Harbaugh’s preferred offensive coordinator, Todd Monken), RB Cam Skattebo, WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, and a defense that includes DT Dexter Lawrence and edge rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. There’s also a general manager in Joe Schoen, as Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson explained, who was apparently willing to cede personnel decision-making to Harbaugh despite the nominal hierarchy inside the franchise. And team owner John Mara, one of the more influential voices in the league, revealed he’s battling an undisclosed form of cancer last September, which likely emboldened the desire for a head coach to come in and command respect immediately.
The Giants have floundered for years, but landing the coach widely viewed as the best on the market brings back instant credibility. Now we’ll see how quickly they can win together.
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Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons
Head coaching record: 45-56 regular season, 1-2 playoffs, six seasons with Cleveland Browns
Why he was hired: Stefanski was one of the top names on the market, with the NFL at large looking at more than just his wins and losses with the Browns while trying to lift a struggling franchise into playoff contention. Sound familiar, Atlanta? Stefanski’s offensive acumen is a hybrid of multiple schemes and coaching trees, which can help new president of football Matt Ryan sort through the talent the Falcons have on that side of the ball (including Kirk Cousins, whom Stefanski coached in Minnesota). They’re also retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich after the Falcons’ defense made big strides this season.
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Stefanski as head coach and offensive mastermind, with Ulbrich sticking around to continue building his side of the ball? That’s a solid recipe going forward, even if the answer at quarterback and no first-round pick this spring present significant challenges. If team owner Arthur Blank is finally willing to be patient and let this project play out, Stefanski could end the Falcons’ eight-year playoff drought sooner than expected, especially in a weak NFC South.
Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins
Head coaching record: First job, was Packers defensive coordinator from 2024-25
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Why he was hired: The direct connection is Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was hired as Dolphins general manager on Jan. 9 after spending over two decades in the Packers’ organization, most recently as vice president of player personnel.
As for the broader fit? Well, the Dolphins have proven to be a less attractive option among coaching candidates this cycle than previously expected, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reported, based largely on the salary cap cleanup required as the team moves on from Tua Tagovailoa. With John Harbaugh off the board, Hafley is the most logical next move, perhaps for both parties. Hafley has head coaching experience at Boston College from 2020-23, he improved Green Bay’s defenses the last two seasons, and Miami would do well to lean on that side of the ball — not to mention star RB De’Von Achane and an improving O-line — while the Dolphins try to sort out the QB situation in what now looks like a multi-season project.
Hafley is considered to be one of the stronger candidates on the market, and the Dolphins didn’t mess around in securing their best possible outcome.
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Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans
Head coaching record: 20-36, fired five games into fourth season with New York Jets
Why he was hired: The general consensus around the league is Saleh’s failures with the Jets were largely out of his control, and he’s had good defenses wherever he’s been. He’ll reportedly call defensive plays in Tennessee, so it’ll be interesting to see who the Titans hire on the offensive staff to continue developing Cam Ward, who looked more and more promising as his rookie season went on.
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Most of all, however, Saleh figures to help stabilize a Titans franchise that’s on its second general manager and now second head coach (third counting interim) since firing Mike Vrabel after the 2023 season. It’s a little surprising Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t get the job, considering his availability and ties to GM Mike Borgonzi from their time together in Kansas City, but perhaps Nagy is in play for the same position now that Saleh has been tabbed. Either way, Saleh is the kind of firm, even-keeled leader who could go a long way toward halting all the losing in Tennessee.
FIREDSean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
Record with team: 106-58 (including playoffs), nine seasons
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Why he was fired: Quite simply, McDermott didn’t reach a Super Bowl with Josh Allen, who won NFL MVP in 2024 and is arguably the best quarterback in the league. Even with Allen playing an uncharacteristically sloppy game in Saturday’s divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos, there were ample chances to win, and McDermott’s Bills couldn’t get it done. No team has arguably been victimized more by the recent Chiefs dynasty than the Bills, who lost to Kansas City four times in the playoffs, and in every way imaginable — from the infamous 13 seconds game in the 2021 season, to at home in the divisional round in the 2023 season, to both a blowout (2020 season) and a close game (2024 season) at Arrowhead. But there have been other gut-wrenching losses too, including Saturday’s, and the Bills decided they had enough of a coach who helped the defense constantly overperform its talent but went just 8-8 in the playoffs, and ceded the AFC East to the rising New England Patriots this season.
STEPPED DOWNMike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
Record with team: 201-126-2 (including playoffs), 19 seasons
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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.
FIRED
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans (in season)
Brian Daboll, New York Giants (in season)
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
NFL coaching news live blogLive251 updates
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 12:11 a.m. EST
Chris Cwik
The Tennessee Titans were hoping for rookie-year Jayden Daniels when they selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, they got rookie-year Caleb Williams.
Ward looked raw and underdeveloped as a rookie and former head coach Brian Callahan paid the price for it. With the Titans’ future contingent on Ward playing like a future superstar, the team entered the offseason determined to find a coach who could bring the best out of last year’s top draft pick.
The team reportedly zeroed in on that coach on Monday night. The team is working to finalize a deal with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after his interview with them earlier in the day.
For more on Saleh’s move to Tennessee, click here.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 8:49 p.m. EST
Tarohn Finley
The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Arizona Cardinals passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach Drew Terrell for their vacant offensive coordinator position, according to the team’s social media page.
Terrell has spent the last three seasons with the Cardinals. Before his time in Arizona, Terrell spent time with the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers.
The Chargers fired former offensive coordinator Greg Roman after the team’s wild-card loss to the Texans. Roman was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator for two seasons.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 8:25 p.m. EST
Jason Owens
It’s official. The Miami Dolphins announced Monday night that they have agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to become their new head coach, confirming earlier reports.
For more, read here.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:46 p.m. EST
Criss Partee
The New York Giants have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator position. Jones has interviewed in-person with the Dallas Cowboys and New YorkJets for their DC positions.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:17 p.m. EST
Criss Partee
The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed the first round of interviews for their vacant head coach position with the following candidates.
– Ejiro Evero Panthers
– Jeff Hafley Packers (reportedly taking Dolphins job)
– Klay Kubiak 49ers
– Jesse Minter Chargers
– Nate Scheelhaase Rams
– Chris Shula Rams
– Anthony Weaver, Dolphins
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:34 p.m. EST
Jason Owens
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is scheduled for a second interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday for their head coach vacancy.
Per the report, Saleh is interviewing with the Tennessee Titans for their vacancy on Monday. If the Titans don’t hire him Monday, Saleh will take the second interview in Arizona, according to the report.
Saleh previously spent four seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets before returning as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator this season.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:27 p.m. EST
Tarohn Finley
The Kansas City Chiefs bring back another familiar face in the coaching staff after hiring wide receivers coachChad O’Shea, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
O’Shea got his start in the NFL as a volunteer assistant for the Chiefs and as an assistant special teams coach the following season. O’Shea worked his way up to an offensive assistant, wide receivers coach and assistant special teams coach with the Vikings and wide receiver coach with the Patriots. O’Shea also spent a season as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator.
The Chiefs are also bringing back former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy spent last season as the Bears’ running backs coach.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:20 p.m. EST
Tarohn Finley
The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Arthur Smith, the former offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, for the position of offensive coordinator, according to the team’s social media page.
Smith spent the last two seasons as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator. Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he compiled a 21-30 record in three seasons with the team. Smith also served in various roles with the Tennessee Titans, which included two seasons as the team’s OC.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. EST
Ryan Young
The Miami Dolphins have their next head coach. The organization is hiring Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, according to multiple reports on Monday afternoon. Hafley will replace Mike McDaniel, who was fired earlier this month.
For more on the Dolphins’ hire, click here.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 4:55 p.m. EST
Tarohn Finley
The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to meet with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for the team’s head coaching position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Before becoming the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Flores served as the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for one season. He was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins for three seasons, going 24-25.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 4:39 p.m. EST
Ryan Young
Eric Bieniemy is planning to return to the Chiefs as their offensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Bieniemy will replace Matt Nagy, who is now out of a contract in Kansas City and in the mix for several head coaching jobs across the league — including the Tennessee Titans.
Bieniemy was on staff with the Chiefs from 2013-2022, and was their offensive coordinator for all three of their Super Bowl wins. He has bounced around the past. three seasons, and spent time with the Commanders, Bears and at UCLA.
For more on Bieniemy’s likely return to Kansas City, click here.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 3:31 p.m. EST
Ian Casselberry
The Miami Dolphins announced that an interview with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator was completed on Monday.
Graham, 46, has overseen the Raiders’ defense for the past four seasons, with his unit averaging 336.9 yards and 23.8 points allowed per game. This past season, they allowed 317.8 yards and 25.4 points per game.
Graham was previously with the Dolphins as the DC under then-head coach Brian Flores during the 2019 season. He moved on to the New York Giants to be their DC (and assistant head coach) for two seasons with then-head coach Joe Judge.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 3:16 p.m. EST
Criss Partee
The Tennessee Titans are going through their second interview with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy today, and have an interview set up with 49ers DC Robert Saleh later in the afternoon, Albert Breer reports. Packers DC Jeff Hafley’s interview is tentatively set for tomorrow.
Titans Owner Amy Adams Strunk is in Nashville for this round of interviews.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 2:45 p.m. EST
Criss Partee
The Dallas Cowboys are set to interview former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon for their defensive coordinator vacancy on Monday night, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 2:39 p.m. EST
Ian Casselberry
The Detroit Lions have found their new offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network.
Drew Petzing, most recently the OC for the Arizona Cardinals, will take over for John Morton, who was fired after the season. He had run the offense on Jonathan Gannon’s staff for the past three years.
The Cardinals had the 19th-ranked offense in the NFL last season (compared to the Lions’ No. 5 ranking). Arizona finished No. 7 in passing yards (3,955), but second-to-last in the league with 1,583 rushing yards, averaging fewer than 100 per game.
Morton had play-calling duties taken away by head coach Dan Campbell after Week 9. Campbell took over that role for the rest of the season, but was likely to return to overseeing the entire team and staff. Though there was some improvement, especially in looking downfield, Detroit’s offensive line had difficulty protecting quarterback Jared Goff and opening lanes for running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 12:35 p.m. EST
Chris Cwik
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has emerged as a popular head-coaching candidate this hiring cycle. Weaver will reportedly interview a second time with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network.
Weaver, 45, has familiarity with the Ravens as both a player and coach.
He’s spent the past two seasons as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, with the team turning in a top-10 finish in points against in 2024.
Weaver is a former defensive end who spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Ravens.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 10:48 a.m. EST
After the Falcons announced Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach Saturday, he’s moved quickly to build his coaching staff. He’ll keep Jeff Ulbrich in Atlanta as his defensive coordinator.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 10:26 a.m. EST
Kate Magdziuk
The Kansas City Chiefs could be preparing to see a familiar face back in the facility soon, requesting to interview Chicago Bears running backs coach (and former Chiefs OC) Eric Bieniemy for their offensive coordinator position, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
Bienemy was previously with the Chiefs from 2013 to 2022, working for five years as their running backs coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator for his final five seasons with the organization. The Chiefs’ offense ranked in the top six in points and yards in each of his five seasons as OC.
The team doesn’t technically have an opening at their offensive coordinator, but it appears they’re getting ahead of things, as current OC Matt Nagy has garnered interest in the head-coaching market. Nagy has interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans. Nagy will reportedly have a second interview with the Titans this week.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 10:02 a.m. EST
Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn…and with Mike McDaniel and Sean McDermott fired, there isn’t much continuity in the division currently.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 9:32 a.m. EST
Sean Leahy
Sean McDermott has been fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The 51-year-old McDermott was hired in 2017 and led the Bills to five AFC East division titles and eight playoff appearances in nine seasons.
Despite regular-season success — seven double-digit win seasons — it was a lack of success in the playoffs that led to the Bills making a change. McDermott’s Bills won only eight games in the postseason, including a pair of losses in the AFC Championship Game to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The most recent loss came against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bills couldn’t overcome a controversial interception and pass-interference penalty, setting up yet another heartbreaking loss for the team in the postseason.