It doesn’t appear Mike McDaniel will be a head coach in the 2026 NFL season, but he is expected to have a high-profile job, according to an ESPN report.
McDaniel and the Los Angeles Chargers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, are expected to reach an agreement that will make the former Miami Dolphins head coach the new offensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh’s team.
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Meanwhile on the NFL coaching carousel, on 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.
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.
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The moves follow a busy weekend that saw the two biggest names on the NFL head coaching market officially find new teams to lead.
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.
Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons
Head coaching record: 45-56 regular season, 1-2 playoffs, six seasons with Cleveland Browns
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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.
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.
Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans
Head coaching record: 20-36, fired five games into fourth season with New York Jets
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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.
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 blogLive267 updates
Wed, January 21, 2026 at 5:55 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Buffalo Bills liked what they saw from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense this season. The team reportedly requested to interview Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski for the Bills’ vacant head-coaching position.
Udinski led the Jaguars to a top-10 finish in points scored in 2025. It was the 30-year-old’s first season as an offensive coordinator.
The team also put in a request for Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, who is also being courted by the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wed, January 21, 2026 at 5:09 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Buffalo Bills made waves after the team fired head coach Sean McDermott. Now, the team’s coaching search is finally starting to take shape.
The team wants to interview at least three different coaches, per multiple reports. The Bills have asked permission to speak with Brian Daboll and Anthony Lynn, and will talk with offensive coordinator Joe Brady about the role, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Both Daboll and Lynn have previous connections to the team. Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator before he left to join the Giants. Lynn served as the team’s assistant head coach before getting a head-coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The team also submitted an interview request with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, per NFL Network.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 5:57 PM PST
Ryan Young
Barring some late change, Mike McDaniel is headed to Los Angeles. The Chargers are expected to hire McDaniel as their next offensive coordinator in the near future.
For more on McDaniel’s move to the Chargers, click here.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 3:23 PM PST
Jason Owens
The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed on Tuesday that they’ve completed an in-person interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their head coaching vacancy.
Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, has worked for three seasons as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota. He previously worked as a defensive assistant for the Steelers in 2022 under Mike Tomlin, who resigned last week after 19 seasons as Pittsburgh’s head coach.
Flores is one of several candidates the Steelers have spoken with during their interview process.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 2:32 PM PST
Ryan Young
Mike McDaniel won’t be the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He officially withdrew from their head coaching search ahead of a scheduled interview on Wednesday, according to the NFL Network.
He is still a candidate for the Ravens and Raiders head coaching jobs, and he is interviewing with the Chargers for their offensive coordinator position.
Mike McDaniel is very likely to have a new job in the near future. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Carmen Mandato via Getty Images)
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 12:40 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Las Vegas Raiders have completed a second interview with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter for their head-coaching opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Minter just finished his second season as the Chargers’ DC. He followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to L.A. Before returning to the NFL ranks, Minter was the Wolverines’ DC from 2022-23. He helped Michigan go 15-0 and win the national title during the 2023 season.
The Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense in 2024 and clocked out ninth in that department in 2025.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 11:45 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Philadelphia Eagles interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard on Monday, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Grizzard was let go in Tampa after two years with the team. He served as the team’s passing game coordinator in 2024 when the Bucs were a top-three passing offense. Josh was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2025 season, where, after a hot start, injuries took over, and the offense struggled to keep it going.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 11:11 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hiring longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Smith, 72, was with the Steelers from 2013-25. Before that, he was the ST coordinator in Washington from 2004-12. He’s been coaching in the NFL since the mid-’90s and coaching in general since the ’70s.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 11:05 AM PST
Criss Partee
The New York Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh are expected to be aggressive in targeting former Ravens players in free agency this offseason, according to Connor Hughes of SNYtv. Harbaugh wants people who know his way to carry out his message in the locker room. Center Tyler Linderbaum is one name to keep an eye on.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 9:06 AM PST
Criss Partee
These are the known second interviews for the Baltimore Ravens’ head coach job. Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, LA Chargers DC Jesse Minter, and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
The Ravens’ front office (Steve Bisciotti/Eric DeCosta) said there will likely be 4 or 5 second interviews, so a few more names are expected to be added.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 8:43 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Tennessee Titans are signing new head coach Robert Saleh to a five-year contract, per Adam Schefter. Saleh is known for his top-ranked defenses while calling the shots as defensive coordinator in San Francisco during both stints with the franchise.
While the 49ers weren’t the usual dominant defense we’ve seen in recent years in 2025, multiple injuries to stars, including All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, contributed to some slippage on defense. Even with those defensive issues, the Niners found ways to win 12 games this season and make it to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 8:18 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Atlanta Falcons have hired Bill Callahan as their offensive line coach. Callahan was head coach of the Oakland Raiders for two years in the early 2000s and won an AFC Championship during the 2002 campaign.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 7:58 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Baltimore Ravens are deep in the interview process with new head-coaching candidates. The team announced Tuesday it completed an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Campanile, 43, is considered a strong head-coaching candidate after leading the Jaguars’ defense to a top-10 finish in 2025.
Campanile previously spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. He spent many years as a linebackers coach before being promoted into a coordinator role for the first time ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 6:41 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Green Bay Packers are looking in the NFC North for their next defensive coordinator. The team reportedly wants to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach — and pass-game coordinator — Daronte Jones for Green Bay’s open DC role.
Jones has served as a defensive backs coach for multiple NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals.
He spent the 2020 season in that same role with the Vikings, but left the team for a year in 2021 to be LSU’s defensive coordinator. Jones then returned to the Vikings in 2022, and has been with the team ever since.
The Packers are looking to replace former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who accepted a head-coaching job with the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 6:37 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing in former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll for an interview. The Eagles will speak to Daboll about the team’s open offensive-coordinator position after Kevin Patullo was removed from the role after the season.
Daboll, 50, is on the market after being fired by the Giants halfway through the 2025 NFL season.
Daboll has experienced plenty of success as an offensive coordinator, most notable overseeing Josh Allen’s development in Buffalo. Because of that, Daboll is also considered a candidate to be the Bills’ next head coach.
While that would be the more desirable role, it appears Daboll is willing to speak to teams about coordinator positions.
Tue, January 20, 2026 at 5:25 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Pittsburgh Steelers will reportedly meet with former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on Wednesday. McCarthy has reportedly emerged as a strong candidate for the role, and was considered by the Tennessee Titans before pulling his name out of consideration, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
McCarthy, 62, did not coach in 2025 after being fired by Dallas at the end of the 2024 season.
McCarthy has had interest from a number of teams this coaching cycle, but is reportedly focused on Pittsburgh, where he is from.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 9:11 PM PST
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 5:49 PM PST
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 5:25 PM PST
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 3:46 PM PST
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.