Jan. 9, 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET
With the playoffs starting this weekend, one would think the games would be the big stories being covered by the media, but instead, the red-hot NFL coaching carousel is all fans and pundits can talk about right now.
With Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs not playing in this year’s tournament, and such popular teams as the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens also watching at home, the race for the Lombardi Trophy is wide open.
That should be a good thing for the league, but fans love their favorites. That is why the coaching carousel is taking center stage. There are currently eight head coaching openings in the NFL, and some really big names are circling about hoping to fill them.
The New York Giants are one of the more desirable vacancies with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, stud wide receiver Malik Nabers, and several other bright young prospects such as Cam Skattebo and Abdul Carter.
The Giants are expected to interview all of the top names on the circuit, including John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, and they have already met with recently fired Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose meeting reportedly “went very well.”
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One former Giants great, Phil Simms, believes Stefanski is a great fit for Big Blue. Simms doesn’t just like Stefanski for the Giants; he “loves” the idea.
People will look at the 43-year-old Stefanski’s record in Cleveland (45-56-0) and shrug. What’s the big deal? Well, the big deal is that it is really tough to win in Cleveland, and Stefanski won 11 games twice in his six seasons there, getting named NFL Coach of the Year both times.
Since being re-established as an expansion team in 1999, the Browns have had just three winning seasons and two postseason appearances, both under the guidance of Stefanski. Many believe that in a more stable organization and environment, he’ll flourish.
