The NFL’s coaching carousel is spinning at full speed this offseason, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic shakeups we’ve seen in years. With Sean McDermott’s firing in Buffalo, the league now has at least 10 head coaching changes heading into the 2026 season - tying the record set in 2022, and previously matched in 1978, 1997, and 2006.
To put that in perspective, of the 10 coaches hired in 2022, only two - Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles - are still in their roles. And even they’re entering 2026 under scrutiny after missing the playoffs. It’s a reminder of how volatile the head coaching landscape has become, and how quickly things can change in today’s NFL.
Let’s break down the teams making moves and what each situation brings to the table.
Buffalo Bills
Previous coach: Sean McDermott (9 seasons)
The most recent and arguably most surprising move of the cycle. McDermott helped turn the Bills into a perennial playoff team, snapping a postseason drought that had lingered since the 1999 season. Under his watch, Buffalo reached the playoffs seven straight years and won at least one playoff game in six of those seasons.
But the standard has changed in Buffalo. With Josh Allen in his prime at 29 and a roster built to contend, expectations are sky-high.
After falling to the Broncos in the Divisional Round, the front office decided it was time for a new voice. This job instantly becomes one of the most attractive on the market - a win-now team with a franchise quarterback and a hungry fan base.
Cleveland Browns
Previous coach: Kevin Stefanski (6 seasons)
Stefanski’s tenure was one of the most successful the Browns have seen since returning to the league in 1999. Two playoff appearances, two Coach of the Year awards, a Comeback Player of the Year for Joe Flacco in 2023, and a Defensive Player of the Year nod for Myles Garrett (with another likely on the way) - that’s a solid résumé by any measure.
But the Browns have struggled to maintain that momentum. They’ve won just eight games combined over the past two seasons and haven’t sniffed the playoffs since their blowout loss to Houston in the 2023 Wild Card round. With a talented roster but inconsistent results, Cleveland is looking for a reset.
Arizona Cardinals
Previous coach: Jonathan Gannon (3 seasons)
Gannon’s run in Arizona never quite got off the ground. The Cardinals failed to post a winning season during his tenure, and their 14-loss campaign in 2025 set a new franchise low. The NFC West isn’t getting any easier either - all three division rivals played in the Divisional Round this year, and two are headed to the NFC title game.
Arizona hasn’t won a playoff game since the Bruce Arians era, and their last appearance came in 2021. With a high draft pick and a roster in flux, this is a full-on rebuild.
Miami Dolphins
Previous coach: Mike McDaniel (4 seasons)
New coach: Jeff Hafley
McDaniel’s tenure started with promise - two straight playoff appearances and an offense that at times looked unstoppable. But back-to-back losing seasons and a continued inability to win in the postseason (Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000) led to a clean house.
The Dolphins parted ways with GM Chris Grier midseason and hired Jon-Eric Sullivan from Green Bay to take over. Sullivan didn’t have to look far for his head coach, tapping Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to lead the charge in South Florida.
The pieces are there - speed on offense, talent on defense, and a new front office. But Hafley will be tasked with ending the league’s longest active playoff win drought.
Atlanta Falcons
Previous coach: Raheem Morris (2 seasons)
New coach: Kevin Stefanski
Big changes are underway in Atlanta. The Falcons brought in franchise legend Matt Ryan as president of football operations and handed the coaching reins to Kevin Stefanski. They’re still searching for a new GM, but the vision is clearly shifting.
Despite finishing 8-9, Atlanta was part of a three-way tie atop a weak NFC South. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, and the fanbase is hungry for relevance. Stefanski brings a proven offensive mind and a track record of maximizing quarterback play - something the Falcons desperately need.
New York Giants
Previous coach: Brian Daboll (3+ seasons)
New coach: John Harbaugh
The Giants didn’t waste time. After firing Daboll in November following a 2-8 start, they became the first team to fill their vacancy - and they did so with a splash, hiring longtime Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh brings credibility, experience, and a Super Bowl ring to a franchise that’s been searching for consistency. New York is keeping GM Joe Schoen in place and hoping this pairing can bring the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders
Previous coach: Pete Carroll (1 season)
The Raiders’ 2025 season was a disaster. Pete Carroll lasted just one year, going 3-14 and earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. It was a bold move to bring in the longtime Seahawks coach, but the gamble didn’t pay off.
Las Vegas has only made the playoffs twice since their Super Bowl loss in 2002, and the last time was in 2021 - a season marked by a midyear coaching change. With GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady now in the fold, the Raiders are trying to rebuild from the ground up - again.
Baltimore Ravens
Previous coach: John Harbaugh (18 seasons)
Harbaugh’s departure marks the end of an era in Baltimore. Over 18 seasons, he turned the Ravens into one of the NFL’s model franchises - consistently competitive, always physical, and Super Bowl champions in 2012.
Now, with Lamar Jackson still in his prime, this job becomes one of the most intriguing in the league. The Ravens missed the playoffs this year after an 8-9 finish and a gut-wrenching loss on a last-second field goal in Week 18. But the core is strong, and the expectations remain sky-high.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Previous coach: Mike Tomlin (19 seasons)
For the first time since 2007, the Steelers are looking for a new head coach. Mike Tomlin never had a losing season in 19 years - a remarkable feat - but Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Tomlin chose to step away, and he’s not expected to jump into another role this cycle.
This is one of the most stable franchises in the NFL, with just three head coaches since 1969. They made the playoffs this year but were bounced early by Houston. Whoever steps in will inherit a team with tradition, talent, and high expectations.
Tennessee Titans
Previous coach: Brian Callahan (1+ seasons)
The Titans were the first team to make a move this cycle, firing Callahan back in October. It’s been a rough stretch in Tennessee - the team finished 3-14 this season, tied for the worst record in the league.
They haven’t made the playoffs since 2021, when Mike Vrabel won Coach of the Year. The franchise has had stability in the past, with long runs by Jeff Fisher and Vrabel, but they’re now searching for a new identity - and a coach who can help find it.
Final Thoughts
This year’s coaching cycle isn’t just about quantity - it’s about the quality of jobs available. From legacy franchises like the Steelers and Ravens to win-now rosters like the Bills and Browns, there are opportunities for both fresh faces and seasoned vets to make their mark.
With the NFL evolving faster than ever, these changes reflect a league that’s constantly chasing the next edge. Whether it’s a new offensive mind, a culture-builder, or a steady hand, teams are making bold moves to keep pace.
And with the draft, free agency, and more hires still to come, the 2026 offseason is only just getting started. Buckle up.