2026 NFL Head Coaching Carousel

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

We're barely a week away from the shit hitting the fan for the next slew of outgoing Head Coaches. Who's neck is most likely to be on the copping block?

AZ Cardinals - Jonathan Gannon; I THINK he's safe, but the noise has gotten louder and louder in the last few weeks to make a move. I think the Cardinals roster is a really good one, with a lot of good young talent. Need some resolution at QB. I checked and the Cardinals led the NFL, by a wide margin in games lost to injury, particularly as it relates to salary of those players.

Tennessee and the NY Giants currently have interim coaches. TN hasn't played that badly under McCoy, but I'm not sure if he gets the permanent job. Kafka in New York? More than likely they will look elsewhere

The Browns, Dolphins, even Tampa and possibly the Raiders all have coaches who have seats that are at least on the warm side.

 

[Slim Tubby]

We're barely a week away from the shit hitting the fan for the next slew of outgoing Head Coaches. Who's neck is most likely to be on the copping block?

AZ Cardinals - Jonathan Gannon; I THINK he's safe, but the noise has gotten louder and louder in the last few weeks to make a move. I think the Cardinals roster is a really good one, with a lot of good young talent. Need some resolution at QB. I checked and the Cardinals led the NFL, by a wide margin in games lost to injury, particularly as it relates to salary of those players.

Tennessee and the NY Giants currently have interim coaches. TN hasn't played that badly under McCoy, but I'm not sure if he gets the permanent job. Kafka in New York? More than likely they will look elsewhere

The Browns, Dolphins, even Tampa and possibly the Raiders all have coaches who have seats that are at least on the warm side.

Outside of NYG and TB, all of these teams likely seeking new HC's have terrible QB situations. It's a trend as old as time.

ARI - Murray is fool's gold and done there if they can offload his contract. Brissett actually played quite well at times but his stats were inflated being constantly behind. That's going to be a sonofabitch of a Division for quite some time so good luck to Gannon or whoever they hire.

TEN - Ward has shown flashes but comes with typical Rookie results. My guess is they replace the interim guy but they should never be left off the hook for letting Vrabel go. They get what they deserve.

NYG - Dart looked very good despite injury concerns and losing Nabers and Skattebo did him no favors. This should easily be the most appealing job for a guy not intimidated by the NY media crush. (Tomlin?)

CLE - If you could combine Belichek, Landry, Knoll, Shula and Halas into a single coach, I'm not convinced even they could overcome the utter incompetence of that ownership and FO. I won't be surprised if they shop for a new scapegoat HC. Bring Stefanski back to MIN to take over call playing duties from KOC.

MIA - Typical example of a creative OC that is completely overmatched as a HC. I see McDaniel as poor man's version of Josh McDaniels and expect him to get dumped.

TB - The Bucs have collapsed as the season has progressed in Bowles' fourth year. Tons of talented offensive players but barely above .500 in the worst Division in the NFL. He's gone.

LV - They're basically asking Carroll to bake bread without flour. Just dismal QB play/talent for the Raiders outside of Crosby, Bowers, Jeanty and a few others. My guess is they keep Carroll to help develop Mendoza or Moore but I'm not convinced either of those guys are Overall #1 pick talent.

I can't wait for the PIT-BAL game this weekend. I could see Tomlin parting ways with the Steelers if they lose and taking one (1) of the other open positions. He'd look good in ARI if they make a change.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Outside of NYG and TB, all of these teams likely seeking new HC's have terrible QB situations. It's a trend as old as time.

ARI - Murray is fool's gold and done there if they can offload his contract. Brissett actually played quite well at times but his stats were inflated being constantly behind. That's going to be a sonofabitch of a Division for quite some time so good luck to Gannon or whoever they hire.

I won't hit all of these but some I have some thoughts. I was a Gannon-backer since was hired all the way up until maybe just the last few weeks. Although, I have to admit, it was startling when I saw the numbers of games they've lost to injury and the list of guys on the Injured List right now. Holy f*ng shit. I think Gannon will have to sell Bidwill on a plan for the QB position and he may keep the job. I may be looking at it through Red Sea-colored glasses but I think they have a lot of talent on the roster, they've drafted pretty well really. Just lousy injury luck

TB - The Bucs have collapsed as the season has progressed in Bowles' fourth year. Tons of talented offensive players but barely above .500 in the worst Division in the NFL. He's gone.

I really like Bowles, loved him when he was in Arizona with Bruce Arians. Bowles I think can still be a very high end DC. And he may be better suited to that, although I hate to admit that. He's such a class act.

LV - They're basically asking Carroll to bake bread without flour. Just dismal QB play/talent for the Raiders outside of Crosby, Bowers, Jeanty and a few others. My guess is they keep Carroll to help develop Mendoza or Moore but I'm not convinced either of those guys are Overall #1 pick talent.

I've said this before but it bears repeating. For two teams I know a little about with similar W-L records lately, the Raiders are, to me, light years from the Cardinals. There just isn't a shred of talent on the entire Raiders roster. I can't think of 5-6 guys I would build around honestly, it's THAT bad.

They need to trade down, maybe even more than once, and get 2-3 starters out of that #1 or #2 overall pick they have, let Coach Pete command next year's ship as a lame duck coach, and let a new high-powered HC in early 2027 pick his QB and run from there.

I can't wait for the PIT-BAL game this weekend. I could see Tomlin parting ways with the Steelers if they lose and taking one (1) of the other open positions. He'd look good in ARI if they make a change.

If Tomlin ends up available, it would be really interesting to see where he ends up. If Cleveland lets Stefanski walk, I think he'll have no problem finding a job either, either HC or OC.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Outside of NYG and TB, all of these teams likely seeking new HC's have terrible QB situations. It's a trend as old as time.

ARI - Murray is fool's gold and done there if they can offload his contract. Brissett actually played quite well at times but his stats were inflated being constantly behind. That's going to be a sonofabitch of a Division for quite some time so good luck to Gannon or whoever they hire.

TEN - Ward has shown flashes but comes with typical Rookie results. My guess is they replace the interim guy but they should never be left off the hook for letting Vrabel go. They get what they deserve.

NYG - Dart looked very good despite injury concerns and losing Nabers and Skattebo did him no favors. This should easily be the most appealing job for a guy not intimidated by the NY media crush. (Tomlin?)

He’d scare the living out of them: it would be hilarious

CLE - If you could combine Belichek, Landry, Knoll, Shula and Halas into a single coach, I'm not convinced even they could overcome the utter incompetence of that ownership and FO. I won't be surprised if they shop for a new scapegoat HC. Bring Stefanski back to MIN to take over call playing duties from KOC.

MIA - Typical example of a creative OC that is completely overmatched as a HC. I see McDaniel as poor man's version of Josh McDaniels and expect him to get dumped.

TB - The Bucs have collapsed as the season has progressed in Bowles' fourth year. Tons of talented offensive players but barely above .500 in the worst Division in the NFL. He's gone.

LV - They're basically asking Carroll to bake bread without flour. Just dismal QB play/talent for the Raiders outside of Crosby, Bowers, Jeanty and a few others. My guess is they keep Carroll to help develop Mendoza or Moore but I'm not convinced either of those guys are Overall #1 pick talent.

I can't wait for the PIT-BAL game this weekend. I could see Tomlin parting ways with the Steelers if they lose and taking one (1) of the other open positions. He'd look good in ARI if they make a change.