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- Eight NFL coaches were fired or departed since the end of the season.
- That created 10 coaching vacancies this offseason, following the dismissals of their coaches by the Giants and Titans during the season.
1
The Las Raiders announced Klint Kubiak as their new head coach Tuesday — two days after Kubiak won Super Bowl LX as offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks.
Reports that Kubiak would be the next Raiders coach surfaced more than a week ago, but nothing could be made official until after the Super Bowl.
Kubiak is the son of Gary Kubiak, who won Super Bowl 50 as coach of the Denver Broncos. The younger Kubiak’s coaching career spans 16 years and includes stints as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and the New Orleans Saints in 2024 before he joined the Seahawks last year.
His younger brother, Klay Kubiak, is the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
The Arizona Cardinals hire Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their next coach, creating a second duo of brothers who are NFL head coaches.
The hiring of Kubiak concludes the 2026 NFL coaching carousel, during which 10 teams named new coaches.
On Feb. 1, the Arizona Cardinals announced the hiring of Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their coach.
The Cleveland Browns announced Todd Monken as their coach Jan. 28. It’s the first head-coaching job for Monken, who spent the last three seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
On Jan. 27, the Buffalo Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to coach on a five-year deal. He replaces nine-year coach Sean McDermott, who was fired two days after a Jan. 17 overtime loss to the Broncos in the AFC divisional round.
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On the same day, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced Mike McCarthy as their coach at a news conference, three days after the team announced it reached a verbal agreement with the former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach to replace Mike Tomlin.
On Jan. 22, the Ravens hired Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their coach. He replaces John Harbaugh, who was fired Jan. 6 after 18 seasons. Harbaugh was hired Jan. 18 as the New York Giants’ coach.
Other hires: The Atlanta Falcons hired former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 21. The Tennessee Titans hired former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh on Jan. 22. The Miami Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley for his first NFL head-coaching job on Jan. 23.
Here’s a look at all 10 teams that made coaching changes this offseason. This list will be updated as more changes occur.
2
Pittsburgh Steelers
McCarthy, 62, has a record of 185-123-2, including the playoffs. That’s over 18 seasons, 13 with Green Bay — which beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl following the 2010 season — and five with Dallas.
He will be only the fourth coach hired by the Steelers since 1969, following Chuck Noll (1969 to 1991), Bill Cowher (1992 to 2006) and Tomlin (2007 to 2025).
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in the Greenfield neighborhood, McCarthy got choked up while speaking at his introductory news conference.
“This city, this franchise, this fan base means the world to me because Pittsburgh’s my world,” McCarthy said. “It’s just awesome to be back here.”
McCarthy added that he and his family members “can finally openly wear our Steelers swag.”
Tomlin had a 193-114-2 record in the regular season and went 8-12 in the playoffs. He informed team president Art Rooney II of his intention to step down the day after a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans during the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs.
The NFL, state of California and tribes are all frustrated by prediction markets legally taking unregulated sports bets, evading a state ban.
3
Baltimore Ravens
Minter is back with the Ravens after serving as a defensive assistant in 2017-18, assistant defensive backs coach in 2019 and defensive backs coach in 2020.
“I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens,” Minter said in a statement. “This is an organization whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played.”
After a year as Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator, Minter was defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan in 2022-23 and with the Chargers in 2024-25.
“I know he’s gonna be one heck of a head coach,” Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley told The Times’ Benjamin Royer this month. “I selfishly would love him to just stay right here and be my defensive coordinator throughout my career, but it’s not what he deserves. He deserves to be the head coach somewhere and lifting some people up.”
John Harbaugh was hired by the Ravens in 2008. He led the team to the Super Bowl championship after the 2012 season and was named the coach of the year in 2019. The team has featured two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson since 2018 and won the division four times since then, but it developed a reputation for coming up short in the postseason.
The Ravens fired Harbaugh less than two days after a missed field goal at the end of regulation against the Steelers prevented Baltimore from clinching the AFC North and advancing to the playoffs.
At 180-113, Harbaugh is the winningest coach in Ravens history. He went 13-11 in the postseason.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared for the NFL draft the same week a bobblehead of his memorable touchdown run in the CFP title game was released.
4
Buffalo Bills
An assistant coach at the college and NFL levels since 2013, Brady was offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers for two seasons before joining McDermott’s staff in 2022. He was the Bills’ offensive coordinator the last two seasons.
Bills owner Terry Pegula told reporters Jan. 21 he felt the team hit “the proverbial wall” under McDermott, who went 98-50 overall but 8-8 in the playoffs.
During McDermott’s tenure, Buffalo made two AFC championship appearances (2020 and 2024), won five consecutive AFC East titles (2020 to 2024) and had seven consecutive seasons with 10 or more victories (2019 to 2025). But the Bills did not make it to the Super Bowl, even with 2024 MVP Josh Allen at quarterback for the last eight seasons.
McDermott was hired in 2017 and led the Bills to a 9-7 record and their first playoff appearance since 1999. Buffalo drafted Allen in 2018 and, after stumbling to a 6-10 record that season, hasn’t finished with fewer than 10 wins since then.
“We all remember the playoff drought before Sean got here,” Pegula said. “Sean has definitely left the Buffalo Bills in a better place than when he arrived in 2017. He gave his heart and soul trying to win a championship.”
Mike McDaniel, the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator, wants to help Justin Herbert become a better quarterback while also reducing his risk to potential injury.
5
Tennessee Titans
Saleh was 20-36 in three-plus seasons as coach of the Jets. He was fired after a 2-3 start in 2024, then served as an offensive consultant for the Packers for the rest of the season. He was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers last year.
The Titans interviewed Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as their finalists before deciding on Saleh.
“Robert embodies the fundamental values of what we believe a Titan should look like and represent,” Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi said in a statement. “He’s smart, tough, dependable, and values working with people. His innate ability to lead and respond to adversity is what makes him the right person to lead our football program back to one whose identity embodies sustainable success.”
The Titans fired Brian Callahan in October after a 1-5 start to the season.
Callahan was 4-19 overall when he was fired six games into his second season with the Titans. The team went 2-9 under interim coach Mike McCoy. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, started all 17 games at quarterback.
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6
Miami Dolphins
Hafley went 22-26 as coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2023 before spending the last two seasons as defensive coordinator with the Packers. He replaces former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who was fired Jan. 8 after a 7-10 finish in his fourth season.
“I believe great things are ahead for the Miami Dolphins with Jeff Hafley leading the way,” owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “Jeff is an accomplished coach with a proven track record as a leader and motivator. He has tenacity and grit, while at the same time establishing trust with his players in order to get the most out of them.”
McDaniel was a first-time head coach when he was hired by the Dolphins on Feb. 7, 2022, after one season as the offensive coordinator for the 49ers. Miami went 9-8 in his first season and 11-6 in his second, losing in the wild-card round of the playoffs both years. The team regressed in each of the next two seasons to give McDaniel an overall record of 35-33.
On Jan. 9 the Dolphins hired Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan to become their general manager, after parting ways with Chris Grier in October.
7
New York Giants
Harbaugh was fired by the Ravens on Jan. 6 after 18 seasons as coach and interviewed with the Giants on Jan. 14. He reportedly canceled a scheduled meeting with the Titans afterward.
“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” team president John Mara said in a statement. “Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants.”
Harbaugh said in a statement: “To serve as this franchise’s head coach is a tremendous honor. I come from a football family, and I have deep respect for the history and tradition of this organization.”
The Giants fired Brian Daboll in November after a 2-8 start and a 20-40-1 record during his three-plus seasons. The team went 2-5 under interim coach Mike Kafka, who was promoted from offensive coordinator.
“The past few seasons have been nothing short of disappointing, and we have not met our expectations for this franchise,” Mara and chairman Steve Tisch said in a joint statement Nov. 10. “We understand the frustrations of our fans, and we will work to deliver a significantly improved product.”
8
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons fired second-year coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot hours after their season ended Jan. 4 with a second straight 8-9 finish. The Browns fired Stefanski on Jan. 5 after a 5-12 finish.
On Jan. 10 the Falcons named Matt Ryan, the former MVP quarterback who led the team to Super Bowl LI after the 2016 season, as president of football. Ryan led the coaching search that resulted in the hiring of Stefanski a week later.
“We’re thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness and active collaboration with every area of the football operation,” Ryan said in a statement Jan. 17.
“Coach Stefanski is a team-first leader who puts a premium on accountability for everyone and a player-driven culture. ... Kevin’s style of leadership, combined with the staff and infrastructure in place here in Atlanta, gives us confidence in our shared vision for the team and we are excited to have him as the leader of our football team.”
Fontenot served as general manager since January 2021. Atlanta hasn’t had a winning season since 2017.
Samson Nacua accidentally took Lakers rookie Adou Thiero’s SUV believing it belonged to brother and Rams star Puka Nacua, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. has determined.
9
Las Vegas Raiders
Former USC coach Pete Carroll, 74, ended his short tenure with the Raiders with a victory against the Chiefs on the final Sunday of the season. But it didn’t make up for a 3-14 season that contained two goose eggs on the scoreboard.
So, the following day’s announcement was not completely unexpected.
“The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Pete Carroll of his duties as head coach,” team owner Mark Davis said in a statement. “We appreciate and wish him and his family all the best.
“Moving forward, General Manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach. Together, they will guide football decisions with a shared focus on leadership, culture, and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision and goals.”
The Raiders reportedly interviewed Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero before deciding on Kubiak.
10
Cleveland Browns
During a coaching career that has spanned more than three decades, Monken was coach at Southern Mississippi from 2013-15 and offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016-18, the Browns in 2019, Georgia from 2020-22 and the Ravens the past three seasons.
“Todd is highly intelligent, and his experienced, innovative offensive mindset has been at the forefront of constructing productive and successful offenses at the NFL and collegiate level over the last 20 years,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “He is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players but also accountability and preparation.”
Stefanski was named the Associated Press coach of the year in 2020 and 2023, led the Browns into the playoffs in both of those seasons and coached them to a wild-card victory in 2020. He also had four losing seasons, including this year’s 5-12 campaign, and was fired on NFL’s Black Monday with a 46-56 record.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” the Haslams said in a statement. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization, but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
Stefanski said in a statement: “After six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, I leave with an immense sense of gratitude. When I arrived in January of 2020, this organization, this community and Browns fans embraced me and my family with open arms. I cannot express properly in words how good we have been treated. A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons. ... I wish all of you nothing but success.”
11
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals fired coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5 after a 3-14 season.
Arizona went 4-13 during Gannon’s first season in 2023, then showed marked improvement in going 8-9 last year. The momentum didn’t carry over, and Gannon finished his three-year tenure with a 15-36 record.
During an October loss to the Titans, Gannon got into an angry sideline confrontation with running back Emari Demercado, appearing to bump the player while swiping his arm downward. Gannon was fined $100,000 by the Cardinals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
