As the NFL regular season winds down, the coaching carousel is already starting to spin-and for a few teams, that ride might be coming to a stop sooner rather than later. With “Black Monday” looming-the day after the regular season when coaching changes often go down-several franchises are already bracing for potential shakeups.
The Tennessee Titans were the first to make a move, parting ways with Brian Callahan back in October after a 1-5 start. That early decision signaled a clear intent from the front office to reset and reassess.
Not long after, the New York Giants followed suit, moving on from Brian Daboll. It’s a tough fall for the 2022 Coach of the Year, who ends his run in New York with a 20-40-1 record-a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in this league.
Now, with the postseason out of reach for several teams, the spotlight turns to other head coaches who might be on the hot seat. According to reports, four franchises are seriously weighing coaching changes as they head into the offseason. And while nothing is set in stone, the decisions made in the coming weeks could reshape the league’s coaching landscape.
One of the more intriguing situations is unfolding in Atlanta. On paper, the Falcons job could be the most attractive of the group.
The roster has talent, and if things break right, this team might not be far off from contending. But the big question is whether Raheem Morris will get another shot to lead the group.
Owner Arthur Blank has a track record of patience, but with the Falcons now staring down an eight-year playoff drought, that patience may be wearing thin. According to league insiders, Blank plans to evaluate both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot once the season ends-a standard practice after a disappointing campaign.
A strong finish could help their case, especially if quarterback Kirk Cousins ends the year on a high note. That would at least offer some validation for the front office’s quarterback decisions over the past year.
Still, those close to the situation suggest that changes to the football operation are likely in some form, even if the specifics remain undecided until the season officially wraps.
Then there’s Cleveland, where Kevin Stefanski’s future is drawing plenty of attention around the league. The Browns have struggled to a 6-23 record over the past two seasons, and while that kind of stretch usually spells trouble for a head coach, Stefanski’s name continues to carry weight in coaching circles.
At 43 years old and with two Coach of the Year awards under his belt, Stefanski is still seen as a high-upside candidate. League executives and coaches believe that if the Browns decide to move on, Stefanski won’t be out of work for long. His overall record in Cleveland sits at 43-55-not exactly eye-popping, but enough to keep him in the conversation for other vacancies, especially given his offensive acumen and leadership pedigree.
As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, the coaching landscape is anything but settled. Some teams are already preparing for change, others are still evaluating, and a few may be hoping that a strong December can tip the scales in favor of continuity. Either way, the next few weeks will be critical-not just for the coaches themselves, but for the direction of entire franchises.