The 2026 NFL coaching carousel took a sharp turn this week, and suddenly, the Baltimore Ravens aren’t the only team with a marquee opening. What once looked like the most attractive job on the market now has serious competition-because the Buffalo Bills just made a seismic move of their own.
After parting ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens were widely seen as the top destination for head coaching candidates. With Lamar Jackson at quarterback and a roster packed with talent on both sides of the ball, Baltimore had the kind of foundation that makes coaches line up for interviews. They’ve reportedly built a list of 16 candidates, but so far, they haven’t trimmed it down or moved into the final stages of the hiring process.
Meanwhile, other teams aren’t waiting around. The New York Giants snapped up Harbaugh, the Atlanta Falcons landed Kevin Stefanski, and the Tennessee Titans are already down to their final three candidates. Baltimore might have had the early edge, but the clock is ticking-and now, the Bills have entered the chat.
On Monday morning, just two days after a gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, Buffalo fired head coach Sean McDermott. It was a bold move, but one that signals the franchise is no longer content with coming close. The Bills are done settling for playoff appearances-they want a Super Bowl, and they’re making it clear they’ll do whatever it takes to get there.
And just like that, the Bills job might be the new belle of the ball.
Let’s be clear: this is no rebuild. Buffalo boasts an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen, the league’s 2025 rushing champion in James Cook, and one of the most reliable offensive lines in the NFL.
That’s a core that’s built to win right now. While Baltimore arguably has a deeper overall roster, the Bills just made the playoffs and showed flashes of being a legitimate contender.
That could be enough to sway top-tier candidates their way.
One name that continues to dominate conversations in league circles is Mike McDaniel. Recently let go by the Miami Dolphins, McDaniel remains one of the brightest offensive minds in football. His creativity, play-calling, and ability to maximize quarterback talent make him a dream hire for any team looking to elevate its offense.
Now imagine him in Baltimore, working with Lamar Jackson. That’s the kind of pairing that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability has powered the Ravens for years, but the 2025 season exposed some cracks in the offensive consistency. Despite explosive moments and a dominant ground game, the unit often felt like it was missing that next level of cohesion and rhythm.
McDaniel could be the guy to unlock it.
But Buffalo has its own pitch to make. Allen is a different kind of quarterback, but no less dangerous. With Cook in the backfield and a strong supporting cast, the Bills could offer McDaniel-or any coach, for that matter-a chance to plug into a system that’s already close to championship caliber.
That’s why the Ravens can’t afford to take their time anymore. They’ve been deliberate in their approach, and understandably so-this is a franchise-defining hire. But with top candidates starting to draw interest from multiple directions and the Bills now in the mix, Baltimore’s methodical pace could become a disadvantage.
The coaching landscape has shifted. What started as a race with one clear frontrunner is now a two-horse sprint, and both teams are bringing serious firepower. Baltimore still has plenty to offer, but if they want their pick of the top coaching minds, it might be time to hit the accelerator.