Titans To Conduct In-Person Robert Saleh HC Interview
Robert Saleh was originally slated to interview with the Titans today. That will no longer be the case, but not because the 49ers‘ defensive coordinator is out of the running. 
Tennessee has moved the Saleh interview to tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Had the parties spoken today, they would have needed to do so virtually due to the rules governing HC interviews. Instead, Saleh will now be able to meet with the Titans in person given the timing of his summit.
Tennessee lined up a trio of finalists yesterday: Kevin Stefanski, Jeff Hafley and Matt Nagy. The Falcons have since hired Stefanski, however, while Hafley appears to be the top option in Miami. Nagy has long loomed as a logical fit in this case, but at least one other candidate will receive a look. Nagy is set to conduct his second interview Monday morning, per Rapoport, while Saleh’s initial sit-down will take place in the afternoon.
Despite the fact Saleh was not among the three staffers to receive a request regarding an in-person interview, he resided as a potential finalist. Today’s update thus comes as no surprise. The 49ers lost last night, ending their season. Saleh’s attention can now turn fully to his potential return to the NFL’s head coaching ranks.
The 46-year-old saw his Jets run come to an end midway through its fourth season (2024). Saleh’s New York teams posted a losing record every year in which he was at the helm; overall, his tenure produced a mark of 20-36. In a year comparatively short on bluechip first-time head coaching candidates, however, Saleh is among the many former HCs potentially in line to receive a second opportunity.
The Titans’ decision to fire Mike Vrabel has not yielded success on the field or stability in the organization. Brian Callahan was dismissed before finishing his second year with the team, and a front office now led by Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker is in place to find his replacement. Nagy and Borgonzi worked together in Kansas City, and a reunion in Tennessee is something to watch for. Saleh – who is also in the running for other positions – will also take part in an in-person interview, however. With a Hafley summit currently scheduled for Tuesday, the next few days will be critical in the case of the Titans.
Browns Arranging Second HC Interview With Jesse Minter
Internal and external candidates have emerged as serious targets for the Browns as their head coaching search continues. The list of outside staffers firmly on the team’s radar continues to grow. 
Arrangements are being made for Cleveland to conduct a second interview with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The sides spoke on Friday, confirming Cleveland’s status as one of Minter’s numerous suitors. Each of the nine teams in the process of making a head coaching change have reached out to the up-and-coming staffer at least once.
This nevertheless represents the first instance in which a follow-up interview has been arranged in Minter’s case. It will be interesting to see if that changes over the coming days as every team except the Giants and Falcons ramps up its HC search. With the Chargers no longer in the postseason, Minter is free to speak remotely or in person with interested teams at any time. This Browns summit will be face-to-face, Rapoport notes to no surprise.
A three-time defensive coordinator at the college level, Minter, 42, won a national championship at Michigan in 2023. He then followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, taking on his current role with the Bolts. Los Angeles has boasted one of the league’s top defenses under Minter, finishing top-10 in points allowed during each of his two years in place. The team has particularly enjoyed strong play against the pass.
The Browns finished just 5-12 this season, but defensive shortcomings were not to blame. Cleveland ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed under Jim Schwartz, and retaining him remains a high priority for the team while Kevin Stefanski‘s replacement is sought out. Schwartz is a strong candidate to be promoted to head coach at this point, but Minter is one of several external options the Browns will attempt to meet with for a second time.
Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for the Browns:
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Rumored mutual interest; Interview requested
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/12; to conduct second interview 1/21
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/16; to conduct second interview
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/10; to conduct second interview 1/20
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/9
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16; second interview requested
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): To conduct second interview 1/19; seen as favorite?
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Second interview requested
Robert Saleh Could Emerge As Titans HC Finalist
Yesterday, the Titans began arranging second interviews for head coaching candidates. A trio of names emerged, but more will likely need to be added to the list. 
Kevin Stefanski was among the staffers Tennessee requested a foll0w-up interview with. However, his visit with Atlanta resulted in a deal being struck last night. Stefanski is thus off the market. The same could also be true of Jeff Hafley in short order. The current Packers defensive coordinator has increasingly been viewed as the frontrunner regarding the Dolphins’ HC opening.
The only other candidate to arrange a second interview with the Titans so far is Matt Nagy. That comes as no surprise, given the links between he and Mike Borgonzi stemming from their time together in Kansas City. Nagy is set to meet with Tennessee on Tuesday, and over the coming days the team’s group of finalists will no doubt come into focus. Another name to watch in that regard could be Robert Saleh.
The 49ers‘ defensive coordinator is seen as a “solid candidate” for Tennessee, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Saleh is set to interview for the first time with the Titans today. San Francisco’s season ended last night, so Saleh will now turn his attention even further to the strong possibility of landing a second NFL head coaching gig. The 46-year-old led the Jets from 2021 though the first five weeks of the 2024 season.
Saleh returned to his previous role of guiding San Francisco’s defense this year, and his success in that capacity has once again made him a top HC option for many interested teams. Saleh has called plays during his second 49ers stint, something which was not the case when he served as a head coach in New York. As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link), things will change in the event of a hire during this year’s cycle. Saleh plans to call plays on defense should he wind up taking charge of a team for the second time.
Borgonzi was not in place when Brian Callahan was hired in 2024, making this his first offseason running a head coaching search. The former Chiefs staffer has drawn strong reviews from candidates so far in the process, as noted by veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Borgonzi is playing a lead role in the interviews of Nagy, Saleh and any other candidates who receive a look, although owner Amy Adams Strunk will once again have the final say on a hire.
Eagles To Retain ST Coordinator Michael Clay
The Eagles will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026. They will maintain a high level of continuity on the sidelines with respect to special teams, however. 
Michael Clay has agreed to terms on a new deal with Philadelphia, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. This ensures Clay will remain in the fold for at least a sixth campaign with the team. He most recently landed an extension early in the 2024 offseason.
There was interest around the league in Clay’s case, per the report. Indeed, the Buccaneers interviewed him for their own ST coordinator opening last week. Instead of departing upon seeing his contract expire next month, Clay has elected once again to stay in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old has spent much of his coaching career with the Eagles.
A former undrafted free agent, Clay quickly turned his attention to coaching after the end of his playing days. He started out with the Eagles in 2014 and held a number of roles during his first stint with the team. Clay then spent five years in San Francisco, most of which was spent as an assistant special teams coach. He returned to Philadelphia in 2021, receiving the opportunity to serve as a ST coordinator at an unusually young age.
Clay has enjoyed a great deal of success in that role, as illustrated by the Eagles’ willingness to retain him on multiple occasions over the years. Philadelphia’s search for former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is ongoing. At least one prominent new voice will be present in the team’s coaching staff for next season, but Clay will still be in place.
Broncos QB Bo Nix To Undergo Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
The Broncos pulled off an overtime win on Saturday to advance to the AFC title game. They will be without their quarterback for the remainder of the postseason, however. 
During his post-game press conference, head coach Sean Payton announced (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) Bo Nix broke a bone in his ankle during Denver’s win over Buffalo. Surgery will be required as a result. Nix will not be able to return in time for next week’s contest or (if applicable) the Super Bowl.
Payton specified Nix’s injury occurred on the second-to-last play in overtime. It was during that sequence that a Tre’Davious White pass interference penalty set the Broncos up deep in Bills territory. Nix took a knee on the ensuing first down to help line up Wil Lutz‘s game-winning field goal. Denver is set to host the AFC championship game next week as a result of the win, but the team will now be forced to play that contest without its QB1 of the past two seasons.
Nix will undergo surgery on Tuesday. In the meantime, Denver will prepare for an unexpected quarterback situation in the wake of today’s stunning development. Per Payton, Jarrett Stidham will start next week while Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup. Stidham logged a grand total of one snap during the 2025 season (a kneeldown in October). He will now be tasked with leading the Broncos’ offense as part of their bid to return to the Super Bowl.
Denver managed to win a back-and-forth affair during the team’s playoff debut. The Bills committed five turnovers but still managed to force overtime thanks to a last-minute field goal drive at the end of regulation. The Bronco’s offense was hot and cold throughout the day, but prior to Buffalo’s final fourth quarter possession Nix led an impressive go-ahead touchdown drive. The second-year passer was of course an important figure in Denver’s ability to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC and his absence will be a major storyline leading up to next week.
Coming out of college, Nix faced questions about his ceiling at the NFL level. The Auburn/Oregon product drew strong reviews early and often in the pre-draft process from Payton, however. Nix ultimately came off the board 12th overall in the 2024 draft, making him one of a record six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the event. Denver’s playoff drought came to an end last season, due in large part to Nix’s play as a full-time starter.
The 2025 campaign saw Nix, 25, produce similar numbers to his rookie season. Nevertheless, Denver managed to post a 14-3 record while enjoying strong defensive showings. Vance Joseph‘s unit did not deliver a strong performance (takeaways aside) today, but it will be heavily leaned on in the AFC title game. Stidham has been with the Broncos since Payton’s arrival in 2023, but he has made just two starts since then. His next will come at a critical time to say the least, with the Broncos seeking their first Super Bowl appearance since winning it 10 years ago.
The Patriots will host the Texans tomorrow in the AFC’s other divisional round matchup. The winner will be on the road no matter what, but either New England or Houston will spend next week preparing to face Stidham rather than Nix. This will create a highly unusual setup with the conference championship on the line.
Falcons Hire Kevin Stefanski As HC
On the day John Harbaugh‘s Giants hire became official, another major domino in the head coaching market is set to fall. Kevin Stefanski‘s next gig has been lined up. 
Stefanski is finalizing a deal with the Falcons to become their next head coach, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Stefanski, 43, flew to Atlanta earlier today to meet with team officials. That interview has now produced an accepted offer, as confirmed by a team announcement. This is a five-year deal, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“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,” a statement from new president of football Matt Ryan reads.
Ryan’s hire last week represented the first major piece of business for Atlanta. It recently become known the team’s preference was to hire a new head coach before filling the only current general manager vacancy in the NFL. Today’s news thus comes as no surprise. Likewise, the fact Stefanski is set to take charge of the Falcons fits with several reports leading up to his agreement.
At the time of his Browns firing, Stefanski loomed as the top HC candidate on the market. Shortly thereafter, Harbaugh’s dismissal changed the pecking order amongst available staffers. There was a widespread expectation Harbaugh would be the first candidate to take one of the nine available positions in this year’s cycle, with Stefanski soon to follow. In particular, the Giants and Falcons were named as frontrunners in Harbaugh’s case. Stefanski, meanwhile, was seen as Plan B for both teams. Shortly after learning Harbaugh would not be an option, Atlanta’s attention clearly shifted back to Stefanski.
Earlier today, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Stefanski would be open to retaining Jeff Ulbrich as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator. WFAA’s Ed Werder confirms Ulbrich – who was blocked from interviewing with the Cowboys for their DC opening – is expected to remain in place. Meanwhile, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is a strong candidate to follow Stefanski to his new home.
As part of a lengthy stint with the Vikings, Stefanski spent one season as the team’s OC. That year cemented his status as one of the top head coaching candidates at the time, and his first HC opportunity came in Cleveland. The Browns won double-digit games twice during his tenure (2020 and ’23). On both occasions, Stefanski took home Coach of the Year honors.
The high points of Stefanski’s Cleveland stint brought about a pair of playoff berths but otherwise it resulted in four losing seasons. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, the Browns have won just eight games. Overall, Stefanski’s six seasons produced a record of 45-56. The Falcons will hope to provide him with a stable QB situation (although with Michael Penix Jr.‘s injury situation, that may prove difficult). In any case, a strong offensive line and a skill-position group headlined by running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London awaits Stefanski.
After Arthur Smith guided them to three consecutive 7-10 seasons, the Falcons made a change on the sidelines. A reunion with Raheem Morris took place during the 2024 hiring cycle. His first year back in Atlanta ended with a finish of 8-9 and extended the team’s playoff drought. Expectations were higher for this season, one which ended on a four-game winning streak to yield another 8-9 mark. Owner Arthur Blank acted quickly once the campaign was over, firing Morris along with GM Terry Fontenot and embarking on the restructuring which has landed Ryan in a position of considerable power.
Stefanski was among the Titans’ HC finalists and was scheduled to conduct a second interview with Tennessee tomorrow. He was also a strong candidate to speak with the Ravens for their vacancy a second time. Those arrangements are now moot, while two of the NFL’s head coaching vacancies have been filled.
Steelers Arrange HC Interview With Brian Flores
Brian Flores spent one season with the Steelers prior to his current Vikings tenure. A potential return to Pittsburgh as the team’s next head coach will be something to watch for over the coming days. 
Flores was one of several coaches to receive a Steelers interview request on Wednesday. To little surprise, that will result in a meeting between the parties shortly. Flores will conduct an in-person interview with Pittsburgh this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link).
After being fired by the Dolphins following the 2021 season, Flores worked under Mike Tomlin as Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach while also holding the title of senior defensive assistant. He then took over as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator; a three-year run in that capacity has helped boost Flores’ head coaching stock. The Vikings see working out a new contract in this case as their top offseason priority.
Flores’ pact recently expired, meaning Minnesota cannot block him from speaking with interested teams regarding their own DC positions. The 44-year-old has been connected to multiple coordinator and head coaching vacancies during the 2026 hiring cycle. Pittsburgh interest in particular comes as no surprise given his connection to the team.
The Steelers have gone with coaches in their 30s who have a defensive background with each of their past three HC hires. In the case of Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin, none had been an NFL head coach before they arrived in Pittsburgh. Flores checks one of those boxes as a current D-coordinator, but as a former head coach he does not entirely match the Steelers’ long-running blueprint. Owner Art Rooney II has left the door open to hiring a coach with an offensive background, but the team’s early list of candidates certainly suggests someone like Flores will at least receive strong consideration.
Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at how things stand in Pittsburgh:
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): To interview
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To interview 1/17
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To interview 1/17
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): To interview 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
Chargers To Conduct OC Interview With Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll remains one of the top names to watch on multiple coaching fronts. The ex-Giants HC has now been linked to another coordinator opening around the NFL. 
Daboll will interview with the Chargers for their offensive coordinator position, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Throughout the early stages of this year’s hiring cycle, an OC hire has loomed as a distinct possibility. Daboll was linked earlier this month to Raiders interest, and he is believed to be among the top targets for the Eagles in that capacity.
Yesterday, Daboll interviewed with the Titans for their head coaching vacancy. He is not among Tennessee’s initial batch of finalists, but that could change in the coming days as the team continues to seek ex-head coaches for the 2026 season. In any case, this latest update on the Daboll front comes as little surprise. Prior to his expected Giants dismissal, Daboll’s stock was boosted by a strong OC run.
That included a successful stint with the Bills and prior coordinator experience in Cleveland, Miami and Kansas City. Aside from a surprising trip to the divisional round of the postseason during his first season as a head coach, Daboll was unable to meet expectations during his time in New York. Still, a play-calling gig with one of the teams looking for a change on the sidelines would allow him to return to a familiar role moving forward.
The Chargers had Greg Roman as their offensive coordinator during the first two years of Jim Harbaugh‘s tenure with the team. Things did not go according to plan during Los Angeles’ back-to-back losses in the wild-card round in particular, however. Questions were raised in the wake of last week’s low-scoring loss about Roman’s job security, and on Tuesday he was fired. 2026 will thus mark the first season in which Harbaugh serves as an NFL head coach without Roman as his OC.
Since Roman’s firing, the Bolts have spoken with pass-game coordinator Marcus Brady, quarterbacks coach Shane Day and former Titans head coach Brian Callahan for their offensive coordinator opening. A meeting with former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel – who like Daboll is a candidate for head coaching and OC openings – has also been arranged.
NFL Mailbag: Tomlin, Brown, Giants
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into the Steelers' situation post-Mike Tomlin, the possibility of A.J. Brown's Eagles tenure ending shortly, the Giants' offseason outlook and more.
Nick asks:
Who do you think makes sense as a Mike Tomlin replacement? Also, what do you think would be a fair trade ask if he returns to coaching in 2027 or 2028?
The pattern repeated throughout Pittsburgh’s three most recent hires (Tomlin, along with Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll before him) is a good place to start when thinking about the team’s traditional HC blueprint.
Kliff Kingsbury Interviewed For Ravens’ HC, OC Positions; Team Could Follow Same Pattern With Mike McDaniel
Baltimore’s offensive coordinator position is still technically filled by Todd Monken at this point. A departure in his case is widely expected, however. 
That reality has apparently played a factor in the Ravens’ ongoing head coaching search. Kliff Kingsbury met with the team earlier this week. That summit was one of many head coaching interviews Baltimore has conducted since the firing of John Harbaugh, but ESPN’s Peter Schrager noted during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link) that Kingsbury also interviewed for the offensive coordinator gig.
That represents a further sign Monken is set to coach elsewhere in 2026. Following John Harbaugh to the Giants is a distinct possibility, although the veteran OC is also in position to interview for a second time with the Browns for their HC gig. In any case, the Ravens are preparing to move on at the offensive coordinator spot. Kingsbury would certainly be one of the top candidates for that role, and Schrager noted to no surprise the former Cardinals coach would relish the chance to work with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Kingsbury had a two-year run coaching another dual-threat QB in the form of Jayden Daniels. The 46-year-old turned down head coaching interest last year based on the success enjoyed during Daniels’ rookie season. Things played out much differently in 2025, though, and a decision was made by Kingsbury and head coach Dan Quinn to part ways. A second HC gig could be in store this cycle, but as Schrager notes – and as the nature of his Ravens meeting illustrates – a new offensive coordinator opportunity (perhaps with the Eagles) looms as a distinct possibility as well.
Mike McDaniel finds himself in a similar position to Kingsbury at the moment. The ex-Dolphins head coach is among the top offensive candidates on the market. A number of links to open OC positions have been made in his case, but McDaniel is also set to interview with the Ravens for their head coaching spot. Per Schrager, the 42-year-old could also speak with Baltimore about the team’s OC opening. It will be interesting to see if that takes place and if so whether or not Kingsbury or McDaniel will become finalists for either position.