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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 1-20-26 (12:05pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Baltimore Ravens 

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

  • Mathieu Araujo, cornerbacks coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
  • Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed
  • DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Packers): Interviewed
  • Chris Harris, interim defensive coordinator (Jets): Interviewed 1/18
  • Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interviewed
  • Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed
  • Don Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed
  • Jim O’Neil, defensive assistant/safeties (Lions): Interviewed

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Offseason Outlook: Indianapolis Colts

By | at January 17, 2026 10:59 pm

Becoming the first team to start 8-2 and miss the playoffs since the 1995 Raiders, the Colts saw Daniel Jones suffer another major injury and their Sauce Gardner trade deliver a modest early return. Gardner's calf injury hindered Indianapolis, but Jones' setback affected the team significantly -- to the point a memorable off-the-couch Philip Rivers comeback ensued. Rivers is re-retiring, delaying his Hall of Fame clock by five more years, and the Colts again have a quarterback question.

With Anthony Richardson seemingly out of the picture and two first-round picks traded for Gardner, Jones has somehow backed into another high-leverage position. Jones proved a shrewd negotiator during his 2023 talks with the Giants, leading to a contract the team quickly regretted. How Jones' latest negotiation goes will shape the Colts' 2026 offseason; Indianapolis becoming the first club in NFL history to start nine different Week 1 QBs in a 10-season span is in play.

Coaching/front office moves:

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Eagles Interview Mike Kafka For OC Job, Request Interview With Jim Bob Cooter

By | at January 17, 2026 2:23 pm

The Eagles have two more candidates to succeed Kevin Patullo as their offensive coordinator: Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka and Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

Kafka interviewed for the job on Saturday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He has also received OC interest from the Lions and the Buccaneer, in addition to an earlier interview for the permanent head coaching gig in New York that will go to John Harbaugh. Harbaugh is expected to bring in his own staff, so Kafka will not continue as the Giants’ OC, either.

Though Kafka is better known for his coaching stints with the Chiefs and the Giants, he began his NFL career as an Eagles fourth-round pick in 2010. He appeared in four games in 2011, his only regular-season action in his six years in the league. He retired from playing in 2015, spent a year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Northwestern, before joining Andy Reid‘s staff in Kansas City. He played a crucial role in developing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ passing game in general, which helped him secure the OC job under Brian Daboll in New York. The Eagles may be interested in that expertise to revitalize an air attack that sputtered out at the end of the seasons.

The Eagles also requested an interview with Cooter, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He has a more recent connection to Philadelphia. He served as a consultant on Nick Sirianni‘s staff in 2021, when he first worked under then-Eagles OC and now-Colts head coach Shane Steichen. After a year as the Jaguars’ passing game coordinator under Doug Pederson, Cooter took his current job in Indianapolis. The Eagles’ OC job would appear to be a lateral move, but Cooter would have his first play-calling opportunity since his three-year stint as the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018. Teams hiring head coaches are increasingly looking for proven play-callers, making it more difficult to vault from a non-play-calling OC position directly into a top job.

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NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/13/26

By | at January 13, 2026 9:07 pm

The NFL’s latest reserve/futures deals…

Buffalo Bills

Indianapolis Colts

  • LB Devin Veresuk

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

  • DL Marlon Tuipulota

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Colts To Prioritize Alec Pierce Re-Signing; Kwity Paye Likely To Depart

By | at January 12, 2026 5:52 pm

Alec Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons. He surpassed 800 yards in 2024 despite Anthony Richardson‘s accuracy issues and reached a career-high 1,003 this season.

The Colts’ top deep threat is on track for free agency. Even before Pierce crossed the finish line for his first 1,000-yard season, he was expected to do well in free agency. Now, the Colts want to make sure he stays. Chris Ballard confirmed (via Fox59’s Mike Chappell) keeping Pierce is a priority. This comes after the Cincinnati alum said he was open to re-signing.

Usually aggressive when it comes to retaining his own (not so much with outside hires, though that is changing), Ballard has been able to work out numerous extensions and re-signings for core players. The Colts, however, already paid one wide receiver — via Michael Pittman Jr.‘s three-year, $70MM extension — and are planning to enter talks to re-sign Daniel Jones. Their Richardson plan did not work out, pointing to a veteran QB contract being back on the payroll. That will complicate matters with Pierce.

Pittman’s deal runs through 2026, potentially giving the Colts a chance to reevaluate matters with their No. 1 receiver. Jones established a better rapport with Pierce this season, with Pittman only accumulating 784 receiving yards — after 808 in 2024. Pittman missed one game over that span, while Pierce managed to cross into 1,000-yard territory after missing two this year. After averaging 22.3 yards per catch in 2024 and 21.3 this season, Pierce will be a coveted piece on this year’s market.

George Pickens will be the top receiver on this year’s market, though the Cowboys have been mentioned as being in play to use their franchise tag on the trade pickup. Pierce and Romeo Doubs look like the next-best options, with Giants slot Wan’Dale Robinson also a first-time UFA. The Colts also dealt from their receiver group to acquire Sauce Gardner, sending 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell to the Jets. Josh Downs has one season left on his rookie contract.

Kwity Paye joins Pierce as a free agent-to-be, but despite his first-round pedigree, the five-year defensive end appears a lower priority for the Colts. The 2021 draftee is likely to head elsewhere on the market, Chappell adds, noting the Colts should also be considered likely to lose Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis in free agency.

Indianapolis picked up Paye’s fifth-year option, and he joined Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh as 2021 EDGE draftees to play out option years. Both Phillips and Oweh were traded, while Paye finished his rookie contract with the team that drafted him. Though both traded pass rushers proved valuable for their new teams, Paye did not impress in his contract year.

Paye played all 17 Colts games this season but finished with just four sacks and nine QB hits. That came after he combined for 16.5 sacks from 2023-24. Paye’s showings in 2023 and ’24 still stand to help him, though he did not boost his market in a contract year.

Ballard has traditionally been stingy when it comes to acquiring outside talent, but he did make good on a pledge to deviate this past year. The Colts gave big-ticket deals to Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward. New owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon expressed interest in Ballard leaning in this direction moving forward, ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes.

The Colts are projected to sit in the middle of the pack in cap space, being slated to hold just more than $33MM. A chunk of whatever space Indy ends up with will need to go to Jones, which will limit funds available for Pierce and any outside options. A Pierce franchise tag may cost more than $28MM, per OverTheCap; that will likely not be a path the Colts turn to. With Jones and Pierce deemed priorities, it will be interesting to see if Ballard acts on Irsay-Gordon’s wishes to see more activity with regards to outside talent being added.

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2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

By | at January 7, 2026 9:50 pm

The Browns, Cardinals, Falcons and Raiders followed the Giants and Titans in firing head coaches, making those calls between the Week 18 conclusion and Black Monday. The Ravens then moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 seasons; two days later, the Dolphins canned Mike McDaniel. Following a wild-card loss, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin are separating after 19 years. Now, after an overtime divisional-round loss in Denver, Sean McDermott is out in Buffalo.

The 10 HC openings are tied with 1978, 1997, 2006 and 2022 for the most in one year. Here are the candidates connected to all those searches, including the six remaining jobs. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 1-20-26 (2:34pm CT)

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

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NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/6/26

By | at January 6, 2026 10:20 pm

Four teams signed players to reserve/futures contracts on Tuesday, though only the Dolphins made more than two moves. Here are the latest updates:

Detroit Lions

  • OL Seth McLaughlin

Indianapolis Colts

  • LB Joseph Vaughn

Miami Dolphins

Washington Commanders

  • G Tyler Cooper, WR Nick Nash
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Giants Request HC Interview With Lou Anarumo

By | at January 6, 2026 2:16 pm

Since Brian Daboll‘s firing, many have pointed to Lou Anarumo as potential replacement. The latter will indeed receive a look from the Giants.

Anarumo has received a head coaching interview request from New York, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Giants have thus joined the Titans in attempting to line up a meeting with Anarumo. His Tennessee interview will take place tomorrow.

Not long after Daboll was dismissed, Anarumo was named as a candidate for the Giants. The Staten Island native has previously worked with the team. Anarumo served as the Giants’ defensive backs coach in 2018. His one-year stint in that role was followed by his Bengals hire as defensive coordinator.

Anarumo led Cincinnati’s defense for six years until being fired following the 2024 campaign. In short order, the 59-year-old landed another DC gig by joining the Colts. Indianapolis finished just 23rd in total defense and 21st in points allowed this season, but the team was hit hard by injuries throughout the campaign. Anarumo’s stock has not suffered, as evidenced by the fact he is already a target of multiple teams seeking a new head coach.

The Giants promoted offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to interim HC after Daboll was fired. Kafka will interview for the full-time position, although it is rare situations such as his result in a hire on that front. New York has been named on multiple occasions as a feasible landing spot for Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Browns yesterday. The Giants are among the teams he is expected to interview with.

Earlier today, New York also emerged as a potential suitor for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Like Stefanski, Joseph has been a head coach in the NFL. Anarumo, by contrast, has never led a coaching staff at the pro or college levels. He could very well get the opportunity to do so in 2026, however, depending in part on how he interviews with the Giants.

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Titans Request HC Interviews With Matt Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo, Vance Joseph, Lou Anarumo

By | at January 6, 2026 9:04 am

JANUARY 6: Tennessee’s interview with Anarumo will take place tomorrow, per Rapoport. He and Pelissero add the Nagy interview will be on Thursday. Spagnuolo will also interview Thursday, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. Those three will be joined by recently unemployed staffers Kevin Stefanski and Raheem Morris as candidates to speak with the Titans at least once.

JANUARY 5: The Titans were the first team to fire their head coach during the 2025 season, moving on from Brian Callahan on Oct. 13. They replaced Callahan with interim choice Mike McCoy, but it didn’t lead to a turnaround. With the Titans’ offseason now underway after a 3-14 campaign, they’re working to find Callahan’s full-time successor.

Tennessee has requested interviews with two Chiefs assistants – offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo – as well as Broncos D-coordinator Vance Joseph and Colts DC Lou Anarumo (via reports from Jordan Schultz, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). The Titans are also expected to request a meeting with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, per Schultz. Kingsbury’s name previously came up in connection to the Titans’ job on Sunday.

General manager Mike Borgonzi is leading the Titans’ search, though the next hire will come with owner Amy Adams Strunk‘s blessing. The fact that Borgonzi is considering Nagy and Spagnuolo for the job isn’t a surprise. Borgonzi worked in Kansas City’s front office from 2009-24, giving him plenty of familiarity with Nagy and Spagnuolo.

Both Nagy and Spagnuolo come with head coaching experience, but the former had far more success in his first stop. Nagy led the Bears to a 34-31 mark and two playoff berths from 2018-21. He earned Coach of the Year honors in his first season in Chicago.

Although Nagy doesn’t call the plays as Kansas City’s O-coordinator (that responsibility belongs to Andy Reid), his offensive background appeals to the Titans. Getting the most out of quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, will be among their next head coach’s most important tasks.

An acclaimed defensive assistant throughout his career, the 66-year-old Spagnulo has won four Super Bowls as a coordinator (three with the Chiefs, one with the Giants). However, his initial stint as a full-time head coach couldn’t have gone much worse. The then-St. Louis Rams went 10-38 under Spagnuolo from 2009-11. Spagnuolo later held the interim gig with the Giants after Ben McAdoo‘s firing in 2017. He went 1-3 in that brief run, but Spagnuolo’s stock has since gone way up during his brilliant seven-year reign atop the Chiefs’ defense.

Joseph, one of Spagnuolo’s fellow AFC West D-coordinators, is also a former head coach. While Joseph struggled to an 11-21 mark with the Broncos from 2015-16, his success since returning to Denver as an assistant in 2023 could lead to a second chance as a sideline general. Thanks largely to Joseph’s defense, which ranks first in sacks, second in yards and third in points, the 14-3 Broncos will enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Anarumo is the lone candidate in this group who has not worked as a head coach. Now 59, Anarumo was an assistant at various colleges before joining the Dolphins’ defensive staff in 2012. He earned his first D-coordinator job with the Bengals in 2019. Anarumo stayed in place for six years, a span in which the Bengals went to two AFC title games and a Super Bowl, but the team fired him after its defense finished 25th overall in 2024.

Anarumo quickly caught on with the Colts, who spiraled to an 8-9 mark after starting 8-2 in 2025. The Colts’ defense ended the year an underwhelming 21st in points and 23rd in yards, but injuries to DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward took away three of Anarumo’s best players for significant periods of time. The Titans obviously aren’t holding that against him.

The Chiefs, Colts and Commanders failed to qualify for the playoffs, which means Nagy, Spagnulo, Anarumo and Kingsbury are eligible to interview as early as Tuesday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic relays. With the Broncos on a bye, Joseph will be available to discuss the Tennessee job on Wednesday. He’ll do so via Zoom, according to Mike Klis of 9News.

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