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On Monday, the Browns parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski<\/a>. Two hours after Stefanski was let go, the Raiders parted ways with coach Pete Carroll after just one season<\/a>. Not long after that, it was reported that the Arizona Cardinals were parting ways with Jonathan Gannon<\/a> following his third straight losing season.<\/p>\n Two head coaches, the Tennessee Titans\u2019 Brian Callahan and the New York Giants\u2019 Brian Daboll, lost their jobs during the season. Another whose status might have been in question, Indianapolis\u2019 Shane Steichen, is reportedly returning next season<\/a>, along with general manager Chris Ballard. The Cincinnati Bengals answered a similar question Monday, announcing the return<\/a> of head coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin for another season.<\/p>\n Among those who appear to be safe from the latest round of firings is 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<\/a> Monday.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Here’s the rundown on where the carousel currently stands, plus the latest coaching news updates<\/a>. We also rank the top coaching openings<\/a>, from least to most attractive. And here are the top candidates on the market<\/a> to fill those vacancies.<\/p>\n FIREDJonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n Record with team: 15-36, three seasons<\/p>\n Why he was fired: Gannon was hired in part to toughen up Arizona\u2019s defense, and that didn\u2019t really happen. This season’s unit was 26th in EPA per play allowed, 27th in success rate allowed, and in general hasn\u2019t taken a step forward despite 17 of Gannon\u2019s 28 draft picks being on that side of the ball, including six of seven last spring. It\u2019s hard to say the Cardinals are demonstrably better than they were when Gannon was hired.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n Record with team: 3-14, one season<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n Record with team: 46-58 (including playoffs), six seasons<\/p>\n 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\u2019s offensive acumen, none of the 13 quarterbacks who\u2019ve started under his watch has proven to be the long-term solution.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n Record with team: 16-18, two seasons<\/p>\n Why he was fired: Morris hadn\u2019t 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\u2019s first-round draft pick next spring, Morris didn\u2019t 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\u2019s new president of football.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Brian Daboll, New York Giants<\/p>\n Record with team: 21-41-1, three full seasons and 10 games<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 from game management to interfering with concussion protocol<\/a> to repeatedly exposing 2025 first-round rookie QB Jaxson Dart to extra punishment in the run game \u2014 became too much for the franchise to bear.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n Record with team: 4-19, one full season and six games<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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<\/a> multiple times during games, admitted he didn’t know a rule<\/a> that cost the Titans early this season, excoriated referees<\/a> 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<\/a> and cut bait.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n ON THE HOT SEATJohn Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n Record with team: 193-124 (including playoffs), 18th season<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Why he might get fired: The Ravens were surprisingly mediocre this season, and it can\u2019t all be attributed to Lamar Jackson\u2019s injuries. Their defense yo-yo\u2019d between outright bad and competent, and some of Harbaugh\u2019s 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\u2019s a general sense that a breath of fresh air at head coach might be good for the Ravens.<\/p>\n Why he might be safe: This is only Harbaugh’s third losing season, and the stability he brings the organization is valuable. If he\u2019s not back, it won\u2019t be because he became a bad coach overnight.<\/p>\n Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n Record with team: 36-36 (including playoffs), fourth season<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Why he might get fired: Despite winning Saturday against the Panthers<\/a>, the Saints’ defeat Sunday blocked the Bucs from the postseason. Entering Week 18, Bowles\u2019 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\u2019t a reason to believe things will be decidedly better in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n Record with team: 35-35 (including playoffs), fourth season<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Why he might get fired: The story of the McDaniel era (thus far) is starting with a bang and petering out, both in the micro and macro. He made the playoffs his first two seasons (including a hallowed 70 burger against the Broncos), but lost six of the last seven in 2022 and four of his last six in 2023. Since then, his motion-heavy, speed-oriented offense has been less effective against the league as a whole, and off-field issues (including players reportedly running out defensive coordinator Vic Fangio<\/a>, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season) suggest McDaniel doesn\u2019t have much command of the locker room.<\/p>\n Why he might be safe: Tua Tagovailoa\u2019s limitations and concussion concerns have limited the Dolphins, and if they don\u2019t bring him back next season, the salary cap hit would be so big that team owner Stephen Ross might decide it\u2019s worth keeping McDaniel around one more year to get out from under it.<\/p>\n NFL coaching news live blogLive29 updates Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was not among the four NFL coaches fired on Sunday and Monday (creating six openings thus far). Team owner and president Mike Brown announced that Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin would retain their jobs<\/a>, though the team finished .<\/p>\n With his job for next season seemingly secure, Taylor told reporters (including WLWT’s Charlie Clifford<\/a>) covering the team that he’ll bring back his entire coaching staff.<\/p>\n That includes offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, whose unit ranked No. 17 among NFL teams in total offense. However, quarterback Joe Burrow was limited to eight games this season due to a turf toe injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n Defensive coordinator Al Golden will also return despite the Bengals’ finishing with the second-worst defense<\/a> in the NFL, allowing 381 yards per game (6,475 yards total).<\/p>\n Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n Criss Partee<\/p>\n Former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to be in contact with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans about their head coaching vacancies. Stefanski finished his six-year tenure in Cleveland with a 5-12 record this season and a 45-56 record overall. The Browns made the playoffs twice under Stefanski, and he was also a two-time NFL Coach of the Year award winner.<\/p>\n Ryan Young<\/p>\n The Tennessee Titans are going to interview Raheem Morris later this week, according to ESPN’s Peter Schrager<\/a>. Morris, who was fired by the Falcons on Sunday night, is expected to interview with several teams with open head coaching jobs \u2014 and open defensive coordinator positions \u2014 this cycle.<\/p>\n Raheem Morris is expected to interview with several teams for open head coaching jobs after he was fired by the Falcons. (David J. Griffin\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/p>\n (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Criss Partee<\/p>\n The Miami Dolphins are expected to bring back head coach Mike McDaniel for another season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.<\/p>\n McDaniel spoke to the media on Monday and expressed the same sentiment in his expectation of remaining the Dolphins head coach.<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is that I am the coach of the Miami Dolphins until told otherwise.\u201d McDaniel told reporters on Monday.<\/p>\n Mon 5 January 2026 at 8:50 pm GMT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Philip Rivers continued to turn heads, even if his days of playing QB for the Colts or any other team are done. Rivers received head coaching interest, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. On Monday, Rivers addressed the report<\/a>, telling reporters:<\/p>\n \u201cI do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I can coach at this level. I know enough about the game, about the guys from a leadership standpoint \u2014 camaraderie, all that comes with it. But, again, that\u2019s not something that I\u2019m sitting here pursuing.\u201d<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Atlanta Falcons requested to interview Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for the team’s vacant head coach position, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.<\/a><\/p>\n Weaver has served as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for the last two seasons. Before his time with the Dolphins, Weaver was the assistant head coach for the Baltimore Ravens and the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans.<\/p>\n The Falcons also requested an interview with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Falcons fired former head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n Mon 5 January 2026 at 7:55 pm GMT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Atlanta Falcons requested to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the team’s vacant head coach position, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.<\/a><\/p>\n In Kubiak’s first year with the Seahawks, the team went 14-3 and was the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Coaches who have the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye are permitted to interview during wild-card week.<\/p>\n Before Kubiak was the offensive coordinator of the Seahawks, he served as the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos.<\/p>\n Kubiak also coached with his father, Gary Kubiak, on the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons fired former head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n Jason Owens<\/p>\n The Atlanta Falcons have requested an interview with Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for their opening at head coach, NFL Network reports. Kubiak is in his first season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator after working in the same position with the Saints and Vikings.<\/p>\n He could potentially interview this week with the Seahawks on a bye for the first round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n Mon 5 January 2026 at 7:35 pm GMT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n As the Raiders search for a new head coach after firing Pete Carroll and make preparations as the first selector in the 2026 NFL Draft, expect a more input from Tom Brady, the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.<\/p>\n Criss Partee<\/p>\n New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said the franchise will begin head coaching interviews this week. The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll in November after a 2-8 start to the season. Mike Kafka took over and finished the season as interim head coach.<\/p>\n Schoen has not revealed whether he’s received an contract extension with the Giants. His current deal runs through the end of next season.<\/p>\n Mon 5 January 2026 at 7:00 pm GMT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Mon 5 January 2026 at 6:44 pm GMT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Criss Partee<\/p>\n The Miami Dolphins have requested to interview San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager R.J. Gillen for their vacant GM position.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby. San Francisco 49ers VP of Player Personnel Tariq Ahmad, 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and 49ers assistant general manager RJ Gillen. Los Angeles Rams assistant GM John McKay and Green Bay Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan.<\/p>\n Criss Partee<\/p>\n![\"Ian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654310_75_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 10:53 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654311_372_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 10:50 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"Criss](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654311_97_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 9:45 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654311_103_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 9:38 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"ATLANTA,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/8868e7d0-ea38-11f0-9edf-7fd08f97d6b1.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nMon 5 January 2026 at 9:11 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"Tarohn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763577550_530_14e93e10-b8ef-11f0-bffb-eaeb80a41d60.png\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 7:57 pm GMT<\/p>\nMon 5 January 2026 at 7:48 pm GMT<\/p>\n![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654313_905_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 7:36 pm GMT<\/p>\nMon 5 January 2026 at 7:15 pm GMT<\/p>\nMon 5 January 2026 at 5:56 pm GMT<\/p>\nMon 5 January 2026 at 5:04 pm GMT<\/p>\n
![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767654313_498_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Mon 5 January 2026 at 3:20 pm GMT<\/p>\n