NFL Coaching Carousel 2026: Five Jobs Filled, Five Still in Play as Championship Weekend Approaches
The NFL’s annual coaching shuffle is in full swing, and the pieces are starting to fall into place. Five head coaching vacancies have already been filled, while five more remain as we head into Championship Sunday. And if you’re trying to keep track of who landed where, you’re not alone - this year’s cycle feels more like solving a puzzle than following a straight line.
Let’s start with what’s already locked in.
Who’s In: Five Teams Have Their Head Coach
Giants:
John Harbaugh is back in the NFL head coaching ranks, this time with the New York Giants.
He replaces Brian Daboll, who was dismissed midseason after the team stumbled out of the gate. Harbaugh brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record - just the kind of stabilizing force New York is hoping can turn things around.
Falcons:
Kevin Stefanski didn’t stay unemployed for long.
After being let go by the Browns, he’s now the new head coach in Atlanta, taking over for Raheem Morris. Stefanski’s offensive mind could be a good fit for a Falcons team still looking for its identity on that side of the ball.
Ravens:
In a move that keeps it all in the family - or at least the coaching tree - Jesse Minter steps in for John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Minter spent four years under Jim Harbaugh, two at Michigan and two with the Chargers. Now, he gets his shot as a head coach in a city that demands defensive excellence.
The Harbaugh coaching web just keeps expanding.
Dolphins:
Jeff Hafley is making the jump from college to the pros, taking over in Miami after Mike McDaniel’s departure. Hafley, who led Boston College for four seasons and most recently served as the Packers’ defensive coordinator, inherits a roster with speed, talent, and expectations.
Titans:
Robert Saleh is back in the big chair, now with the Tennessee Titans.
After a one-year stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh returns to head coaching following his earlier run with the Jets. He replaces a duo - Brian Callahan and Mike McCoy - who shared the 2025 season and combined for a 3-14 record.
That brings their collective career mark to 33-65. Not exactly a winning formula.
Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel, who was shown the door in Tennessee two years ago, is now 16-3 with the Patriots and one win from the Super Bowl. Go figure.
So, five jobs down. Five to go. Let’s break down the remaining openings, what makes them unique, and who’s in the mix.
Bills: The Most Intriguing Job on the Board
This one caught people off guard. Sean McDermott, who led Buffalo to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons and captured five AFC East titles, is out. Despite his success, ownership decided it was time for a new voice - a bold move in a city still chasing its first Super Bowl.
Now, the Bills are hunting for the coach who can finally get them over the hump. With quarterback Josh Allen and GM Brandon Beane involved in the search, the franchise is casting a wide net.
One of the more surprising names to emerge? Philip Rivers.
Yes, that Philip Rivers. The longtime Chargers quarterback interviewed for the job, despite never coaching at the NFL level or playing in a Super Bowl.
It would be a wild story if he got the nod - and an even wilder one if he delivered what so many before him couldn’t.
Also in the mix: Brian Daboll, who once served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator before his stint with the Giants, and Mike McDaniel, who went 2-7 against the Bills during his time in Miami.
There’s even a grassroots push to bring McDermott back. A fan petition had over 55,000 signatures by Friday afternoon. Whether that gains traction or not, the next coach will inherit a loaded roster - and a fan base that’s tired of waiting.
Steelers: Tradition Meets Transition
If you’re looking for job security, Pittsburgh is the place to be. The Steelers have had just three head coaches in the last 57 years - Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. That’s not just rare; it’s unheard of.
All three had defensive backgrounds, and the early list of candidates suggests the Steelers may stick with that formula. Brian Flores (Vikings DC) and Anthony Weaver (Dolphins DC) have both received second interviews. Rams DC Chris Shula is expected to interview next week, and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero is also on the radar.
But it’s not just defensive minds in the mix. Mike McCarthy, who led the Packers to a Super Bowl win and most recently coached the Cowboys, is the most experienced name being considered. Offensively, the Steelers are also looking at 49ers OC Klay Kubiak and Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
Whoever gets the job will be stepping into one of the most stable - and pressure-packed - environments in football.
Browns: Searching for Stability
Kevin Stefanski took the Browns to the playoffs twice in six seasons, but the last two years were a mess. Cleveland went 8-26 while cycling through seven different starting quarterbacks. That kind of instability makes it tough to win in this league - even with a top-tier defense.
That defense could be what keeps Jim Schwartz in the building. The architect of the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl-winning defense is one of two candidates to get a second interview. Schwartz hasn’t been a head coach since 2013, but his defensive chops are well known.
The other candidate getting a second look is Todd Monken, who’s been dialing up plays for the Ravens the past three seasons. The Giants reportedly have interest in Monken as an offensive coordinator, so he’s clearly in demand.
Grant Udinski, the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator, has also been linked to both the Browns and the Bills.
Raiders: Time for a Reset
After a failed one-year experiment with Pete Carroll and Geno Smith, the Raiders are ready to pivot - and they need to get this one right. The expectation is that they’ll draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, which makes finding the right offensive coach even more critical.
They’ve cast a wide net, focusing on offensive minds with a track record of developing quarterbacks. The list of completed interviews includes Mike McDaniel, Tom Brady, Nate Scheelhaase, Rams OC Mike LaFleur, Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, and Broncos QB coach Davis Webb.
Several of those candidates are still coaching in the playoffs, so the Raiders may need to wait a bit before making a final decision. But the direction is clear: young, offensive, and quarterback-friendly.
Cardinals: The Toughest Sell
Of the five remaining openings, Arizona might be the hardest job to fill. The quarterback situation is murky, and the defense cratered during Jonathan Gannon’s final season.
That said, there’s still opportunity here - especially for a coach looking to make their mark. If the Cardinals are smart, they’ll target someone from one of the Super Bowl teams, and Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak is a name to watch.
He’s already on the Raiders’ radar, and if Arizona wants to inject some life into its offense, Kubiak could be an intriguing fit.
The Final Stretch
With Championship Weekend upon us, the coaching carousel is far from over. The next wave of hires could hinge on Sunday’s results, as teams wait to speak with assistants still in the playoff hunt.
But one thing’s clear: this year’s cycle is as unpredictable - and as fascinating - as any in recent memory. And with five jobs still open, the puzzle isn’t quite complete.