Head coaching elimination, and in some circumstances front-office figures, is in full swing throughout the NFL as groups that did not make the playoffs readjust in an try for a brighter 2026.
And the motion wasn’t restricted to Black Sunday and Monday, as the Dolphins on Thursday fired head coach Mike McDaniel. A day later, the Dolphins hired Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel, as their new general manager. Sullivan will assist information the search for McDaniel’s replacement.
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McDaniel’s firing got here two days after the Baltimore Ravens stunned the league by parting ways with head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl win. That job rapidly turned the most attractive vacancy of the bunch, according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab.
This week delivered the tip for a number of different head coaches and one general manager, and the scramble begins to fill these positions.
The adjustments have not been restricted to simply head coaches. As was extensively anticipated, the Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday after the staff surrendered greater than 500 factors in a season for the primary time in franchise historical past.
Staying within the NFC East, the Washington Commanders have reportedly moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and mutually agreed to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Both had been a part of Dan Quinn’s inaugural Commanders workers that helped lead Washington to its first convention title recreation look because the 1991 season. Kingsbury is expected to receive head-coaching consideration and to have OC choices after aiding Jayden Daniels’ NFL breakout.
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The first victims of the week had been Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, who were both fired Sunday after the Falcons completed 8-9. Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan additionally might be returning to the group in a new function as president of soccer.
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski. Two hours after Stefanski was let go, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Not lengthy after that, the Arizona Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon following his third straight shedding season.
Two head coaches, the Tennessee Titans’ Brian Callahan and the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll, misplaced their jobs throughout the season. Another whose standing may need been in query, Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen, is returning next season, together with general manager Chris Ballard. The Cincinnati Bengals answered the same query Monday, announcing the return of head coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin for one other season.
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Among those that seem to be secure from the newest spherical of firings is Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who is anticipated to be again in 2026 regardless of the staff’s search for a new general manager, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
Here’s the rundown on the place the carousel presently stands, plus the newest coaching news updates. We additionally rank the top coaching openings, from least to most engaging. And here are the top candidates on the market to fill these vacancies.
FIRED
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Record with staff: 35-35 (together with playoffs), 4 seasons
Why he was fired: Things received off to a depressing begin this season, as the Dolphins had been embarrassed by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. From there, the Dolphins discovered more and more creative methods to lose. With the staff at 1-6 to open the season, McDaniel and the Dolphins confirmed some life down the stretch. The staff received 5 of its subsequent six video games, salvaging what, to that time, had been a depressing begin. But that surge could not save McDaniel … or Tua Tagovailoa.
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John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Record with staff: 193-124 (together with playoffs), 18th season
Why he was fired: The Ravens had been surprisingly mediocre this season, and it could actually’t all be attributed to Lamar Jackson’s accidents. Their protection yo-yo’d between outright unhealthy and competent, and a few of Harbaugh’s in-game selections have drawn scrutiny. Harbaugh has failed to get again to the Super Bowl with a two-time MVP quarterback in Jackson, and there had been a general sense {that a} breath of contemporary air at head coach could be good for the Ravens.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Record with staff: 15-36, three seasons
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Why he was fired: Gannon was employed partially to toughen up Arizona’s protection, and that didn’t actually occur. This season’s unit was twenty sixth in EPA per play allowed, twenty seventh in success charge allowed, and in general hasn’t taken a step ahead regardless of 17 of Gannon’s 28 draft picks being on that aspect of the ball, together with six of seven final spring. It’s exhausting to say the Cardinals are demonstrably higher than they had been when Gannon was employed.
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 staff: 3-14, one season
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Why he was fired: Carroll was supposed to deliver stability to the franchise, nevertheless it was extra shedding below the 74-year-old former Super Bowl winner. The Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs of their season finale to finish a winless streak that dated to Week 6. The offseason commerce for Carroll’s most well-liked QB Geno Smith by no means yielded a lot, the offensive and particular groups coordinators had been each fired in November, and now there was a dispute with Maxx Crosby over the star cross rusher being positioned on injured reserve. None of it mirrored properly on Carroll, who was in over his head making an attempt to repair a franchise the place the rot goes a lot deeper (and better).
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 staff: 46-58 (together with playoffs), six seasons
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Why he was fired: The Browns suffered their fourth shedding document in six years below Stefanski, as properly as a second straight yr choosing within the high seven of the draft. The cataclysmic Deshaun Watson commerce is partly on Stefanski, who recruited him within the spring of 2022, and for all of Stefanski’s offensive acumen, not one of the 13 quarterbacks who’ve began below his watch has confirmed to be the long-term resolution.
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 staff: 16-18, two seasons
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Why he was fired: Morris hadn’t been flat-out unhealthy. The Falcons received their last 4 video games of the season, seemingly serving to Morris’ trigger. But the Falcons regressed general this season and the operation felt shaky below his watch. While he ended up a fall man alongside general manager Terry Fontenot, who oversaw an all-in 2025 that included buying and selling away the staff’s first-round draft decide subsequent spring, Morris didn’t all the time construct the strongest case for himself. The Falcons now appear like they’ll fully revamp their soccer operations division with former quarterback Matt Ryan poised to are available in as Atlanta’s new president of soccer.
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 staff: 21-41-1, three full seasons and 10 video games
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Why he was fired: Daboll received Coach of the Year in his first season in cost, main the Giants to a playoff win behind Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. But accidents and underachievement dug a gap Daboll could not coach his approach out of, and his dealing with of the Giants’ general operation — from recreation administration to interfering with concussion protocol to repeatedly exposing 2025 first-round rookie QB Jaxson Dart to further punishment within the run recreation — turned an excessive amount of for the franchise to bear.
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.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Record with staff: 4-19, one full season and 6 video games
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Why he was fired: Callahan was extra profitable at drawing consideration to himself off the sphere than profitable on it. He blew up at QB Will Levis a number of instances throughout video games, admitted he didn’t know a rule that price the Titans early this season, excoriated referees and extra. Despite his popularity as an offensive guru, it did not appear to be No. 1 general decide Cam Ward was making a lot progress below his auspices, and the Titans decided to admit their mistake and lower 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.
SAFE
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record with staff: 36-36 (together with playoffs), fourth season
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Why he might have been fired: Despite winning Saturday against the Panthers, the Saints’ defeat Sunday blocked the Bucs from the postseason. Entering Week 18, Bowles’ Buccaneers misplaced seven of eight. The downturn got here as they received more healthy, which was complicated. There had been some unhealthy losses, and for a coach with out a nice profession document, possibly there isn’t a purpose to imagine issues shall be decidedly higher within the 2026 season.
Why he is secure: Bowles was on the verge of his fourth straight division title, albeit in a mediocre NFC South. This is the primary time in Bowles’ run with Tampa that the Bucs have not made the postseason. That appeared to be sufficient to save Bowles, who said Wednesday his job was safe after assembly with the Glazer household.
NFL coaching information reside weblog
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Tarohn Finley
The Washington Commanders promote assistant quarterback coach David Blough to offensive coordinator, in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Blough has rapidly risen by the coaching ranks since transitioning from NFL quarterback to coaching. Blough was employed assistant quarterback coach in February earlier than ending the season as QB coach after Tavita Pritchard was employed as the top soccer coach for Stanford University.
Blough will exchange former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired after his second season with the staff.
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Tarohn Finley
The Cleveland Browns request to interview Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for their head coach opening, in accordance to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
The Browns have interviewed Browns OC Tommy Rees and DC Jim Schwartz, together with Bengals OC Dan Pitcher and Seahawks DC Aden Durde.
The Browns fired head coach KevinStefanski after six seasons with the staff. Stefanski completed 46–58 and led the Browns to two playoff appearances and had two Coach of the Year awards.
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Tarohn Finley
Baltimore Ravens quarterback coach Tee Martin will interview for the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator positions, in accordance to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Martin has been the Ravens quarterback coach for the final three seasons, serving to Jackson’s MVP season in 2023. He coached the Ravens’ huge receivers the season earlier than shifting to quarterback coach.
Before Martin was with the Ravens, he primarily spent his time coaching on the faculty stage. Martin was the offensive coordinator at USC from 2016-2018, the place he coached Sam Darnold.
The Lions and Commanders fired their offensive coordinators earlier this week.
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Tarohn Finley
The Tennessee Titans plan on interviewing former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for their vacant head coach place, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
This will reportedly be the primary recognized interview that McDaniel has had for a head coaching job. McDaniel has additionally reportedly acquired curiosity from the Browns for their HC place and the Detroit Lions as an offensive coordinator.
McDaniel was fired by the Dolphins after four seasons with the staff. McDaniel was 35-33 throughout his time with the Dolphins.
Before McDaniel was the top coach of the Dolphins, he was the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. The Titans fired former head coach Brian Callahan after six video games this season.
The Titans have additionally requested to interview Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
Smith spent 10 seasons coaching with the Titans was the OC for two seasons.
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Tarohn Finley
The Baltimore Ravens interviewed former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for their vacant head coaching place, according to the team’s X account.
Stefanski was fired by the Browns on Monday after six seasons with the staff. Stefanski completed 46–58 and led the Browns to two playoff appearances and had two Coach of the Year awards.
The Ravens have additionally interviewed Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Broncos Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Broncos offensive cross recreation coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for their head coach opening.
The Ravens fired former head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons on Tuesday.
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Tarohn Finley
Kansas City Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen will interview for the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator opening, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Cullen has spent the final three seasons with the Chiefs, working with Chiefs gamers such as Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. Before his time was the Chiefs, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cullen additionally served as the defensive coordinator at Richmond University and the University of Indiana earlier in his profession. Cullen has 35 years of coaching expertise on the NFL and faculty stage.
The Commanders are trying to exchange former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. Whitt spent two years as the Commanders’ DC.
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Tarohn Finley
The Cowboys will interview Vikings defensive cross recreation coordinator Daronte Jones, safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Broncos defensive cross recreation coordinator Jim Leonhard for their defensive coordinator opening, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jones can even interview for the Jets DC emptiness. He has spent every of the previous 4 seasons with the Vikings. In 2021, he served as LSU’s defensive coordinator, as a part of Ed Orgeron’s last Tigers workers.
Before turning into the Browns’ safeties coach in 2023, he was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Utah State and the University of Miami.
Before becoming a member of the Broncos in 2024, Leonard was the defensive coordinator on the University of Wisconsin and a senior soccer analyst on the University of Illinois.
The Cowboys fired Matt Eberflus after his first season on Tuesday. The Cowboys are trying for their fourth defensive coordinator in 4 seasons.
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Tarohn Finley
The Raiders are interviewing Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for their vacant head coaching place on Friday, in accordance to ESPN’s Peter Schrager.
Coaches who’ve the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye are permitted to interview throughout wild-card week. In Kubiak’s first yr with the Seahawks, the staff went 14-3 and was the No. 1 seed within the NFC.
Before Kubiak was the offensive coordinator of the Seahawks, he served as the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and the passing recreation coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos.
Kubiak additionally coached together with his father, Gary Kubiak, on the Minnesota Vikings. The Raiders fired Pete Carroll after his first season as head coach. The staff is trying for its sixth head coach since 2021.
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After John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week, the New York Giants are staying in contact together with his reps forward of subsequent week’s interview.
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Sean Leahy
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Jon-Eric Sullivan as the franchise’s new general manager, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sullivan has served as the vp of participant personnel of the Green Bay Packers since 2022. He will exchange Chris Grier, who parted ways with the Dolphins in October after serving within the group since 2000.
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Sean Leahy
Brady has been with the Bills since 2022 when he was named QB coach. He took over as interim OC in 2023 earlier than being promoted to the job full-time in 2024.
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Sean Leahy
Minter has additionally been requested to converse with the Browns about their opening.
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Sean Leahy
The 46-year-old Durde joined the Seattle workers in 2024.
Browns OC Tommy Rees and DC Jim Schwartz, together with Bengals OC Dan Pitcher have already interviewed for the job.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Andy Backstrom
The New York Jets have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive cross recreation coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter additionally reported that Jones is scheduled to interview for the Dallas Cowboys’ DC emptiness as properly.
Jones has spent every of the previous 4 seasons with the Vikings. Additionally, he was the staff’s DBs coach in 2020. But in 2021, he served as LSU’s defensive coordinator, as a part of Ed Orgeron’s last Tigers workers.
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Andy Backstrom
The Tennessee Titans will interview former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy subsequent Saturday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McCarthy additionally has an interview with the New York Giants, per Rapoport.
McCarthy has logged a 174-112-2 document as a head coach. He was accountable for three straight 12-win seasons in Dallas and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory throughout the 2010 season.
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Criss Partee
The Atlanta Falcons accomplished their interview with Detroit Lions COO Mike Disner. Disner has been a revered government within the NFL with a number of organizations for the previous twenty years.
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Tarohn Finley
It didn’t take lengthy for former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to draw curiosity after being fired on Thursday. The Detroit Lions have reached out to McDaniel about interviewing for the vacant offensive coordinator place, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McDaniel was 35–35 in his 4 seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach. Before his time with the Dolphins, he was the 49ers’ offensive coordinator.
The Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton after his first season again with the staff. Morton was a senior offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022.
Despite Morton’s firing happening on Tuesday, Campbell took over for Morton as the play caller in Week 10.
Detroit can even interview Commanders’ assistant QBs coach and former Lions quarterback David Blough for the OC job.
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Tarohn Finley
Interviews are lining up for Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans have requested to interview Hafley for their vacant positions, in accordance to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Hafley cannot interview till after Saturday’s wild-card recreation towards the Chicago Bears. He is in his second season as the defensive coordinator of the Packers. Before his time in Green Bay, Hafley was the top coach at Boston College and the defensive coordinator at Ohio State.
Hafley was 22-26 throughout his time at Boston College.
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Andy Backstrom
The Washington Commanders moved on from Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, however Kingsbury remains to be drawing head-coaching curiosity after what he completed with Jayden Daniels throughout the quarterback’s rookie season.
The Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans have requested Kingsbury to interview for their head-coaching vacancies, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Kingsbury served as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach from 2019-22 and posted a 28-37-1 document with one playoff look.
