The NFL coaching carousel isn't just a game of musical chairs anymore. It's basically a high-stakes demolition derby. By the time we hit the 2025 cycle, the "safe" hires were out the window, and owners were throwing haymakers. If you’ve been following the league lately, you know that the nfl head coach candidates 2025 list turned into a total frenzy that saw legends like Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh move on from their longtime homes.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. We spent years thinking Tomlin would retire in Pittsburgh. Instead, the "Black Monday" of 2026 revealed a landscape where nine teams—nearly a third of the league—were hunting for a new leader.
The Shocking Movement of the Old Guard
Most people get it wrong when they think coaching searches are only about finding the next young genius. Sometimes, it’s about a messy breakup. The biggest story of this cycle wasn't some hot-shot coordinator; it was the migration of the established elite.
John Harbaugh landing with the New York Giants was the kind of move that feels fake until you see the press release. The Ravens, after years of stability, finally saw a split, leaving a massive void in Baltimore. Harbaugh didn't wait long. He jumped into a Giants situation that, let’s be real, is a bit of a project. They’ve got Jaxson Dart showing flashes at quarterback and Brian Burns rushing the passer, but that roster is still a puzzle missing half its pieces.
Then there’s Kevin Stefanski. He won two Coach of the Year awards in Cleveland, basically performing miracles with a hamstrung offense, only to be fired after a 5-12 season in 2025. The Atlanta Falcons didn't let him sit on the market for more than a few days. They officially hired him on January 17, 2026, to take over for Raheem Morris.
Mike Vrabel and the New England Homecoming
If there was one "destined" hire in the nfl head coach candidates 2025 pool, it was Mike Vrabel heading back to Foxboro. After spending a "gap year" with the Browns in 2024, Vrabel took the Patriots job in January 2025.
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He didn't just take the job; he set the building on fire and rebuilt it. In his first season, he pulled off a 10-win improvement. You don't see that often. He took a team that looked lost and turned them into AFC East champions. It proves that sometimes the "retread" coach is exactly what a locker room needs when the culture has gone stale.
The New Wave: Coordinators Who Finally Got the Call
Every year, there’s a "it" guy. In 2025, that guy was Ben Johnson. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator had been the most popular name for three years running. He finally bit.
Johnson chose the Chicago Bears. It was a bold move—staying in the NFC North to coach against his old boss, Dan Campbell. But having Caleb Williams under center is a hell of a recruitment tool.
- Ben Johnson (Bears): Immediately turned Chicago into a powerhouse, winning the division in year one.
- Aaron Glenn (Jets): The Lions' defensive guru also got his shot, taking over "Gang Green." It's been a bit rockier for him, especially with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks being a "disaster" before getting fired.
- Mike McDaniel: After getting the axe from the Dolphins on January 8, 2026, he’s already back on the interview circuit. It’s a weird cycle when a guy who made the playoffs multiple times is suddenly a candidate again.
The Rise of Chris Shula
You probably know the name because of his grandfather, Don Shula. But Chris Shula, the Rams defensive coordinator, became a legitimate star on his own merit during the 2025 season.
He was running the league’s cheapest defense in Los Angeles and somehow turned them into a top-3 unit. That’s the kind of efficiency that makes owners drool. He’s 39, he’s a Sean McVay disciple, and he’s basically the archetype of what modern NFL teams want: young, brilliant, and pedigree-rich.
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Bill Belichick and the College Curveball
What really happened with Bill Belichick? This is the part that still feels like a fever dream. After the Falcons passed on him in 2024, the greatest coach of all time didn't go to another NFL team. He went to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
It hasn't been a fairy tale. A 4-8 record in Chapel Hill isn't exactly "The Patriot Way." As the 2026 hiring cycle opened up, rumors swirled about him returning to the pros, specifically to the Raiders or the Browns. But Belichick basically told everyone to pipe down. He’s staying in college for now, even trying to hire Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator. It seems the NFL might finally be moving past the Belichick era, which is sort of depressing if you’re a fan of history.
Why Some "Can't-Miss" Candidates Missed
It's sorta funny how the NFL works. One year you're the hottest name in the world, the next you're just another guy on a headset.
Take Klint Kubiak. He’s been the architect of some explosive passing attacks in Seattle. He’s only 38. He has the "son of a coach" vibe that the league loves. Yet, during the nfl head coach candidates 2025 cycle, he found himself in the "always a bridesmaid" category, interviewing with the Cardinals, Ravens, and Falcons without a deal closing immediately.
There's also a clear shift in what teams are looking for. The "CEO" model—guys like Mike Tomlin—is still valued, but teams are increasingly desperate for "The Architect." They want the person who can fix the quarterback. If you can't explain exactly how you're going to make a 22-year-old kid into a franchise savior, you aren't getting the job.
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What’s Next for the Remaining Openings?
As we sit here in early 2026, the dust is still settling. The Ravens job is the "crown jewel" because of Lamar Jackson. Who wouldn't want to coach an MVP? Names like Joe Brady (Bills OC) and Jesse Minter (Chargers DC) are at the top of their list.
If you’re a fan of a team that’s still looking, here’s how to judge a candidate:
- Check the "McVay/Shanahan" distance: If they’ve ever had lunch with Sean McVay, they’re probably getting an interview.
- Look at the EPA stats: Teams aren't hiring on "gut feeling" anymore. They are looking at Expected Points Added (EPA). If a coordinator’s unit is in the top 10 with mediocre talent, they’re gone.
- The "Culture" factor: After the Mike Vrabel success in New England, expect teams like the Steelers and Titans to look for "toughness" hires over "scheme" hires.
The coaching carousel never really stops. It just slows down for a few months before training camp starts. Keep an eye on the Ravens and Dolphins. Those two hires will likely determine who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl for the next three years.
For anyone trying to keep track, the best thing you can do is follow the interview trackers daily. The "request to interview" stage is usually just noise, but when a guy gets a second in-person visit, that's when you should start buying the jersey.