To no surprise, Kevin Stefanski became the second head coaching domino to fall last night. As many expected, he would up joining the Falcons. 
That decision came amidst considerable interest from other HC-needy teams around the league. Both the Ravens and Dolphins submitted requests for an in-person second interview in Stefanski’s case. Those wound up being moot, with a face-to-face Falcons meeting producing Saturday’s agreement.
Stefanski also found himself on the radar of the Raiders early in the hiring cycle. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, however, the two-time Coach of the Year withdrew from Vegas’ search process last week. That allowed him to turn his attention elsewhere, with Falcons connections emerging in short order.
The Giants’ top priority was landing John Harbaugh, and after initially agreeing to a hire his arrival was made official yesterday. Stefanski was viewed as the backup plan for both New York and Atlanta, so it came as no surprise when links to the Falcons were strengthened once it became clear Harbaugh would join the Giants. Stefanski secured a five-year deal in Atlanta not long after his run with the Browns came to an end.
The Raiders are one of seven teams which still have an opening at the head coaching position as things stand. The Pete Carroll era ended on ‘Black Monday,’ with his firing coming in the wake of a 3-14 campaign. Vegas owns the first overall pick in April’s draft, but otherwise the Raiders’ roster faces a number of questions. It will be interesting to see what the team’s list of finalists looks like as it takes shape over the coming days.
Several initial interviews took place last week, but so far the only candidate to arrange a follow-up meeting is Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Others will soon join him, but even in the absence of his Falcons hire Stefanski would not have been among the staffers to speak with Vegas for a second time.
Tom never going to get his top choices.
Gee, why would anyone not want to be head coach for a team that’s had five different head coaches over the last five seasons?
In a game of musical coaches the Raiders will get the guy who doesn’t have a chair when it’s over.
Ready for the game? I took the Rams to cover. Can the Bears prove me wrong?
Sorry you lost but so did my Bears.
Frustrating game. I would have rather the Bears won. Though I felt the TE pushed off for the TD. What really made me mad was the two-minute warning in regulation. The Rams didnt even try to throw for the first down, to run out the clock. I knew the Bears would tie it! Did you feel the Bears left points off the scoreboard?
Not really sure why Johnson kept going for it on 4th down all of the sudden in the Playoffs . I thought they should have been up 20-10 at least at the half. Not sure why the riverboat gambler act all of the sudden. But it is what it is I guess. Enjoyable season. we have a real football t6eam again.
POV Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell: “hold my beer” 😀
If you value your career long-term, avoid the Raiders. If you’re looking for a quick cash grab and early retirement, give Ol’ Bowl Cut a call.
Sign a 5-year contract. Get fired at the end of the year. Collect 4 years of severance and take a new job in 2027.
I wonder how many of the 5 they are still paying?
All of them, I think. I heard someone on TV mention that when they fired Carroll.
He went from 1 dumpster fire, so why interview for another dumpster fire?
They have a LOT of holes at key spots so no wonder he withdrew. The franchise needs to a true, 3-4 year, rebuild and bring in an HC who gets that sort of leash barring major regression between years 2-3.
Going from the Las Vegas Bowel-Cuts to this Bears-Rams playoff game, I think Chris Shula worried more about HC interviews than getting this defense ready to play. The Bears should have a bigger lead.
how much would it cost for kiffen part deux ?
Honestly, I forgot they even had an opening. Its been really quiet out of Vegas since they fired Pete.
Hard to believe the team that cant win in cold weather postseason games has finally taken a lead. Can the Bears finally take this game?
The Raiders will eventually get their man. Yeah, they’ve been down for a long time but they are on the short list of historic storied programs. The Falcons are on the opposite end of that spectrum. The Raiders are either you are one or you’re not. Raiders will be back, so all this laughing and pissing in the wind will come back on you.
I agree with that the Raiders are one of those “national” teams. Cowboys, Steelers and Dolphins being the others. Oh, and the always popular whoever is on top.
“National” teams? “Historic storied programs”? That’s the Fox NFL mindset. This season, Fox got its ass kicked not only by CBS but also by NBC.
I think having Tom Brady there will keep Mendoza from demanding a trade like Eli Manning in 2004. I’m pretty sure cap space isn’t an issue for them either, they just need to avoid any more free agent signings like Christian Wilkins, that was just bad luck. They’re not as hopeless as Cleveland, Tennessee, Arizona, or the Jets.
Sure looked like a Bears push-off to me … shades of Rob Gronkowski
Rams luckily pulled it out. Will never, ever bet on them in freezing temps ever again … haha
He knows a stench after 6-years in Cleveland.
Nobody should want to be HC there or Nashville. HC in HS or JC would be better option in 2026.