The NFL coaching carousel is slowing down, but it’s not quite done spinning just yet.
As of January 27, there are only three head coaching vacancies left around the league: the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders. That’s after the Buffalo Bills made a decisive move to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top job, just over a week after parting ways with Sean McDermott. It’s a quick turnaround in Buffalo, signaling the franchise’s desire for continuity on offense and a belief in Brady’s vision moving forward.
This hiring cycle has been one of the busiest in recent memory - ten openings in total, tying the record for the most in a single NFL offseason. And while some teams are locking in their futures, others are still navigating the interview process, looking for the right fit to lead their locker rooms.
In Green Bay, the ripple effects of staff changes are being felt beyond Wisconsin. Former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is building out his new staff with the Miami Dolphins, and he’s dipping back into the Packers’ coaching pool to do it.
Hafley has brought on two Green Bay position coaches to join him in Miami. Meanwhile, the Packers’ quarterbacks coach is drawing interest of his own - he’s currently in the mix for the offensive coordinator role with the Philadelphia Eagles.
There’s also movement involving familiar names. Mike McCarthy, who once led the Packers to a Super Bowl, has officially been introduced as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a fresh start for a coach who’s been around the block and knows what it takes to win in this league.
Elsewhere, a notable coaching name with deep NFL roots is making headlines for a different reason. Vince Lombardi’s grandson has been let go from his coaching position - a reminder that legacy alone doesn’t guarantee job security in today’s results-driven NFL.
And in Buffalo, the reshaping of the coaching staff isn’t stopping with Brady’s promotion. Former University of Wisconsin standout and coach Jim Leonhard is emerging as a top candidate to take over as defensive coordinator. Leonhard’s name has been floated in coaching circles for years, and this could be the opportunity that finally brings him into the NFL fold in a major way.
As the final vacancies get filled and coaching staffs continue to take shape, this offseason is proving once again that change is the only constant in the NFL. Teams are moving fast, and the decisions they make now will set the tone for what’s to come in 2026 and beyond.