The NFL doesn’t really have an offseason anymore - not in the traditional sense. Sure, the games stop, but the action never really slows down. Between the Combine, free agency, the draft, and now even the schedule release being treated like a primetime event, the league has mastered the art of staying in the spotlight 12 months a year.
We’re just days removed from the Super Bowl, and already the next phase is kicking off. Teams can begin applying the franchise tag to players next week, and the NFL Combine is right around the corner.
For teams like the Cleveland Browns, the offseason is already packed with big decisions. Tight end David Njoku, a mainstay in Cleveland since entering the league, has essentially said his goodbyes - a signal that change is coming for a franchise that’s already undergone a significant shakeup.
And the Browns aren’t alone. Nearly a third of the league is heading into the 2026 offseason with a new head coach.
Ten franchises hit the reset button, bringing in fresh leadership in hopes of turning things around - or, in some cases, taking the next step. Here’s the rundown of the new faces in new places:
- Cleveland Browns - Todd Monken
- New York Giants - John Harbaugh
- Atlanta Falcons - Kevin Stefanski
- Baltimore Ravens - Jesse Minter
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike McCarthy
- Miami Dolphins - Jeff Hafley
- Las Vegas Raiders - Klint Kubiak
- Tennessee Titans - Robert Saleh
- Buffalo Bills - Joe Brady
- Arizona Cardinals - Mike LaFleur
That’s a lot of turnover, even by NFL standards. And naturally, with so many moves, the league’s decision-makers are already weighing in.
A group of nine coaches and executives - none from the 10 teams listed above - were asked to rank their top five hires. The consensus?
John Harbaugh to the Giants topped the list. No shock there.
He brings a proven track record and instant credibility to a team that’s been searching for stability.
Interestingly, Kevin Stefanski - fresh off his departure from Cleveland - landed second in the rankings for his move to Atlanta. That suggests there’s still plenty of respect for what he accomplished with the Browns, even if the ending was rocky.
At the other end of the spectrum, Todd Monken (Browns) and Mike LaFleur (Cardinals) were ranked lowest in the group’s informal poll. But let’s pump the brakes on reading too much into that. These rankings are, at best, a snapshot of perception - and a very early one at that.
Think of it like draft grades handed out the day after the picks are made. Fun to debate, but often wildly off the mark. Real evaluations come later - after three seasons, or when a coach gets let go, whichever comes first.
As for Monken and LaFleur, the skepticism likely has more to do with the organizations they’re joining than with their individual résumés. Both are first-time NFL head coaches with offensive backgrounds, stepping into franchises that have been stuck in rebuild mode for years. That’s a tough ask, no matter how sharp your playbook is.
Bottom line: hiring a head coach is never just about the coach. It’s about the fit, the roster, the front office, the ownership, the culture - all of it.
And trying to rank these hires before a single snap is played? It’s a fun exercise, but ultimately, it’s like predicting the weather three years out.
Still, the league’s coaching carousel has spun fast and furiously this offseason, and the ripple effects are just beginning. Whether these moves pay off or flame out, one thing’s certain: the NFL never really sleeps.