2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker
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 (9:10pm CT)
Offensive Coordinators
Atlanta Falcons
- Bryan McClendon, wide receivers coach (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Drew Terrell, wide receivers coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/20
Baltimore Ravens
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)
- David Blough, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate; promoted to Washington OC
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/14
- Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach (Ravens): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/13
- Jake Peetz, pass-game coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Drew Petzing, former offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Hired
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/15
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)
- Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehire expected
Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)
- Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Brian Callahan, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/16
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): To interview
- Shane Day, quarterbacks coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Hire expected
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed 1/19
- Drew Terrell, wide receivers coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/19
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Hire expected
Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): To interview 1/20
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): To interview
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)
- Brian Callahan, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/16
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): To interview 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/10
- David Shaw, pass-game coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/10
- Israel Woolfork, quarterbacks coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/10
Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Rumored candidate
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)
- David Blough, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): Promoted
- Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Tee Martin, quarterbacks coach (Ravens): Interview scheduled
- David Raih, tight ends coach (Commanders): Interviewed
- Drew Terrell, pass-game coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/9
- Lunda Wells, tight ends coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/8
Defensive Coordinators
Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/9
- Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/15
- DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Packers): Interviewed 1/16
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): To conduct second interview 1/20
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Conducted second interview 1/17
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Zach Orr, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed
- Christian Parker, defensive backs coach (Eagles):To conduct second interview 1/20
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Ohio State): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator (Falcons): Interview blocked
- Aaron Whitecotton, defensive line coach (Cowboys): Interviewed
Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Expected to interview
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interview requested
- Christian Parker, defensive backs coach (Eagles): To interview
New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Mentioned as candidate
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)
- Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Flores, former defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/14
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/15
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
- Karl Scott, defensive backs coach (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate; staying with Falcons
- Dennard Wilson, defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/10
Chiefs To Bring Back Eric Bieniemy As OC
Earlier today, Eric Bieniemy received an interview request from the Chiefs for their offensive coordinator position. A reunion is indeed set to take place. 
Bienemy is expected to return to his previous role with Kansas City, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Once a hire takes place, the Chiefs will have their Matt Nagy replacement in the building. Nagy has not yet taken a head coaching position, but the team has been preparing for a departure in his case.
According to Scoop City‘s James Palmer, this reunion has been in the works for a notable stretch. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke with Bieniemy last night after the Bears’ divisional round loss, Palmer adds. A plan to have Bieniemy depart Chicago – where he served as the team’s running backs coach in 2025 – is now in motion.
From 2013-22, Bieniemy worked on Reid’s staff in Kansas City. The final five years of that span included Bieniemy operating as the team’s offensive coordinator. Reid routinely campaigned for the 56-year-old to receive a head coaching opportunity, but numerous interviews across various hiring cycles did not result in a hire. In the end, Bieniemy took on a play-calling OC gig with the Commanders for 2023. One season in that role was followed by another one-and-done campaign at UCLA.
During last year’s hiring cycle, Bieniemy returned to the NFL ranks by joining Ben Johnson‘s staff. The Bears produced a record of 11-6 and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs during Johnson’s first year as a head coach. The ground game played a key role in that success, and both D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai enjoyed strong seasons down the stretch in particular. Their performances have helped Bieniemy’s stock as a coordinator, although this KC reunion will no doubt see Reid continue to handle play-calling duties.
Nagy was a top Reid assistant during his first Chiefs stint, and he was the team’s OC for one season before becoming the Bears’ head coach. After that Chicago run ended, Nagy returned to Kansas City at first as a quarterbacks coach. Nagy has again held the title of offensive coordinator for the past three years, but this Bieniemy return signals he will be coaching elsewhere in 2026. Nagy has been connected to a number of HC openings in recent days, and a Titans hire in particular would come as little surprise given his Chiefs connections with general manager Mike Borgonzi.
Chiefs To Hire Chad O’Shea As WRs Coach
The Chiefs are expected to hire Chad O’Shea as their next wide receivers coach, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
O’Shea, 53, held the same position on Kevin Stefanski‘s staff in Cleveland with the added title of passing game coordinator. He will succeed Connor Embree in Kansas City, where Andy Reid is shaking up his staff after the departure of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Chiefs have already made plans to rehire Eric Bieniemy to replace Nagy, and O’Shea will also be returning to the team, albeit after a longer time away.
O’Shea is entering his 30th year of coaching and his 23rd at the pro level. He got his NFL start with the Chiefs as a volunteer assistant in 2003, which quickly turned into an assistant special teams coach gig. O’Shea spent the next three years in Minnesota as an offensive assistant.
The Patriots then hired O’Shea as their wide receivers coach in 2008. He stayed in New England for 10 seasons, winning three Super Bowls along the way, before following Brian Flores to Miami as the Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator in 2019. O’Shea only lasted one year in a coordinator role and returned to coaching wide receivers, this time under Stefanski in Cleveland.
The Browns passing game in O’Shea’s tenure never ranked higher than 19th, though the team’s lack of consistent quarterback play deserves the lion’s share of the blame. However, Cleveland’s receiving corps did not make substantial progress under O’Shea. Their best receivers in the last six years have been Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, who were both acquired via trade. O’Shea did well to integrate both into the Browns offense – and likely played a key role in Jeudy’s career-best 2024 – but the team’s homegrown wideouts have not grown into clear starting-caliber players.
In Kansas City, O’Shea will work Reid and Bieniemy to rebuild a Chiefs receiver room that only has Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy as clear long-term contributors. As a part of a stronger offense with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, he may be more successful than he was in Cleveland.
Matt Nagy In Lead For Titans’ HC Job?
With Jeff Hafley nearing an agreement to become the Dolphins’ head coach, that leaves one fewer candidate for the Titans. Tennessee had lined up a second interview with Hafley, but the team will have to look elsewhere. It appears the Titans are zeroing in on former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who “sure feels like” the frontrunner for the job, per Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
Nagy’s second interview with the Titans is scheduled for Tuesday. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is holding his second interview with Tennessee today. Saleh’s clearly still in the running, but it looks as if he’s facing an uphill climb to beat out Nagy for the role.
Unlike Saleh, Nagy has an extensive working relationship with Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi. That may ultimately tip the scales in Nagy’s favor. Borgonzi, who’s leading the Titans’ head coaching search, was a Chiefs employee from 2009-24. Nagy was an important part of the Chiefs’ coaching staff from 2013-17 and again from 2022-25.
While Nagy could remain in Kansas City in 2026, that looks unlikely. With Nagy’s contract up, the Chiefs are expected to hire Eric Bienemy as their offensive coordinator. The Cardinals, Ravens and Raiders have joined the Titans in interviewing Nagy for their head coaching positions. It’s unknown where the 47-year-old will go in 2026 if he’s not a head coach.
If Tennessee or another team hands Nagy the reins, he’ll aim for a longer tenure and better results in his second attempt as an NFL head coach. Nagy coached the Bears to a 34-31 record during a four-year run from 2018-21. He won Coach of the Year in his first season and helped the Bears to the playoffs twice, but an inability to develop a franchise quarterback played a large role in his firing. The Bears went 8-8 or worse in their last three seasons under Nagy, who couldn’t get enough from former first-round QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields.
Nagy has since been part of three AFC-winning teams and two Super Bowl champions in Kansas City, where he has worked with future Hall of Fame signal-caller Patrick Mahomes. However, head coach Andy Reid – not Nagy – has been responsible for calling the offensive plays. Nagy doesn’t plan on calling the plays if he becomes a head coach again (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network), which will make it all the more crucial for him to identify the right offensive coordinator.
If the Titans choose Nagy, they’ll count on him and his offensive staff to turn Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, into a franchise QB. Ward showed flashes as a rookie, but coaching instability (the team fired Brian Callahan in mid-October and rode out a 3-14 season with Mike McCoy) and a subpar supporting cast led to poor results in 2025.
Chiefs Request OC Interview With Eric Bieniemy
The Chiefs have requested to interview Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bienemy, 56, previously held that position from 2018 to 2022 and is expected to retake it in the coming weeks, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Kansas City made a few offensive staff changes at the end of their disappointing 2025 season. Wide receivers coach Connor Embree and running backs coach Todd Pinkston were both relieved of their duties, while the contract of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy was not renewed. That may have been the plan all along, as Nagy has attracted head coaching interest from the Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders, and Titans. He seems to be a finalist for the job in Tennessee.
Bienemy, who was the Chiefs’ running backs coach for the five years before he was promoted to offensive coordinator, took a dual assistant head coach/offensive coordinator role with the Commanders in 2023 and UCLA in 2024. Neither team’s offense excelled with Bienemy in Charger. The Commanders ranked among the NFL’s bottom-10 offenses in 2023, while UCLA averaged just 18.4 points in 2024, the third-fewest in the Big Ten.
Bienemy’s next stop was Chicago, where he was hired by new head coach Ben Johnson to lead the running back room. Bienemy has excelled in that role. Six-year veteran D’Andre Swift has put up career-best numbers in the volume and efficiency, while seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai has the most rushing yards by a No. 2 running back in the league.
The Chiefs’ offense in general has regressed since Bienemy’s departure, but their run game has especially struggled. After ranking seventh and eight in yards per carry during the final two years of Bienemy’s first OC stint, the Chiefs have ranked 13th, 29th, and 20th in the following three. Bringing Bienemy back could help re-establish the ground game in Kansas City, which may take some pressure off of the air attack and lead to more efficiency there, too.
Coaching Departures: Bowman, Chiefs, Jaguars
As the Chargers seek a new offensive coordinator (and likely a new defensive coordinator), they’ll also be on the lookout for a new linebackers coach. GM Joe Hortiz announced today that coach NaVorro Bowman is stepping away from the team to spend more time with his family.
Bowman was a standout linebacker throughout the 2010s, earning four first-team All-Pro nods during his stint with the 49ers. A former third-round pick out of Penn State, Bowman finished his career with 798 tackles, 14 sacks, and nine forced fumbles. His 527 solo tackles in San Francisco ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard.
Following a one-year stop on the Maryland staff, Bowman joined former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. During his time with the Chargers, Bowman oversaw the development of Daiyan Henley and Junior Colson, and he guided a LBs room that also featured veterans Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye.
The Chargers have started interviewing internal candidates to replace offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was fired this week. The team will also be seeking a new defensive coordinator if Jesse Minter earns a head coaching job.
More coaching notes from around the NFL…
- Following news from earlier today that the Chiefs moved on from WR coach Connor Embree, Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star reported that RBs coach Todd Pinkston has also been fired. The 48-year-old spent the past three seasons in the role, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt generally leading the depth chart during his tenure. The Chiefs rushing attack consistently ranked in the bottom-half of the league thanks to the Patrick Mahomes-led offense, but the Chiefs also bottomed out in yards-per-attempt in 2024 and 2025.
- The Jaguars are moving on from secondary coach Ron Milus, according to Josina Anderson. The veteran coach has served as a DBs or secondary coach throughout his 25-year coaching career, with his longest stint coming with the Chargers between 2013 and 2020. Following a three-year stint with the Colts, Milus joined Liam Coen‘s new Jacksonville staff last offseason. Jaguars defensive backs accounted for 15 interceptions this past season, including five from safety Antonio Johnson. On the flip side, the defense ranked 21st in yards allowed, and the coach didn’t necessarily maximize Travis Hunter‘s defensive ability.
Coaching Rumors: Ravens, Eagles, Weis, Witten, Seahawks, Chiefs
The Steve Bisciotti era in Baltimore has included two first-time HCs — Brian Billick, John Harbaugh — but the owner is not against a retread. Bisciotti specified there will not necessarily be a success baseline from that retread’s first coaching run in order for him to land the job as Harbaugh’s successor.
“The one thing that I know that I will probably take it on the chin is if our final candidate is an ex-coach who has a losing record,” Bisciotti said, via ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley, “and you all are going to have to understand that we are going to be able to judge that failure with his circumstances and marry that up and not disqualify them.
“It’d be very easy for me to try and avoid those ex-head coaches because they have losing records, but I’m telling you, we are keen to their circumstances, and we won’t let their first shot at a job influence us negatively for this one.”
Bisciotti also pointed to the next Baltimore HC receiving plenty of time in the role, pointing to at least “five or six” years. Though, that will largely depend on the Ravens’ performance as Lamar Jackson‘s prime goes on. The Ravens’ search includes eight second-chance HC options thus far. Bisciotti will have input, but he specified (via Ravens.com’s Ryan Mink) Eric DeCosta, EVP Ozzie Newsome and president Sashi Brown are running the search.
Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:
- The Eagles have been connected to big names for their OC post, being tied to Kliff Kingsbury, Kevin Stefanski, Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll early in the process. A college option has also emerged on Philly’s radar. The Eagles have “poked around” on LSU OC Charlie Weis Jr., per the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard. Weis, who is following Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss, coached Jaxson Dart at with the Rebels and played a central role in an 11-1 season, overseeing Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss. Just 32, the second-generation college coach has been a college OC since he was 25. Weis served as Florida Atlantic’s OC beginning in 2018 before moving to South Florida and then Ole Miss. Unlike Kiffin, Weis stayed on during the Rebels’ run to the CFP semifinals. The Eagles are planning to give their next OC full autonomy of the offense, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson, with Nick Sirianni long being a CEO HC.
- Staying on the college level, Oklahoma announced Thursday that Jason Witten is joining its staff as tight ends coach. Witten, 43, had been the coach at Liberty Christian High School in Texas but was on the Cowboys’ radar for a job last year. Witten came up as a dark-horse HC candidate in Dallas last year but later said he did not discuss that role. Though, this Oklahoma gig — Witten’s first at the college level — could be a springboard to a future NFL position.
- Seahawks running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu took a leave of absence recently and will not return to the team. Polamalu is now off the Seattle staff ahead of the team’s divisional-round game, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Polamalu took the leave in mid-December. Assistant offensive line coach Justin Outten and offensive assistant Michael Byrne have held Polamalu’s duties since the staffer’s exit. Polamalu, 63, has been with the Seahawks for two seasons. He has been in coaching since 1992, first arriving in the NFL in 2004.
- After Andy Reid‘s worst season since his 2012 Eagles finale, the Chiefs are tinkering with their staff. They are moving on from wide receivers coach Connor Embree, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes. Embree climbed from the quality control level to wideouts coach in 2023. Even as the Chiefs claimed a second straight Super Bowl title that season, the year began a downturn for Kansas City receivers. Experiments with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore failed before another uneven passing season in 2024 commenced. After a 6-11 2025 slate, the Chiefs will look for another wideouts instructor.
Ravens To Conduct HC Interview With Davis Webb, Matt Nagy
Vance Joseph is not the only Broncos staffer drawing attention early in the head coaching hiring cycle. Davis Webb is now on the radar of at least three teams. 
The Ravens will conduct an interview with Webb this afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The virtual summit will come shortly after Joseph speaks with the Ravens. This represents the third HC vacancy Webb has been connected to over the past few days.
Denver’s quarterbacks coach/pass-game coordinator has already interviewed with the Raiders for their opening. Webb, 30, was also recently mentioned as a name to watch regarding the Giants. The former quarterback has increasingly gained traction as a head coaching candidate in short order. Webb has worked with Sean Payton during each of his three seasons at the helm of the Broncos, generating interest as a presumed offensive coordinator target but also, as it turns out, an in-demand staffer when it comes to early HC interviews.
The Ravens will look into Webb but also one of the more experienced coaches in the 2026 pool. Chiefs OC Matt Nagy will interview with Baltimore on Sunday, per Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Nagy has been linked to the Giants while also arranging a number of other interviews. He will speak with Raiders, Titans and Cardinals over the next two days.
Nagy’s stint leading the Bears came to an end following the 2021 season. Since then, the 47-year-old has been with Kansas City for the second time in his career, serving as QBs coach for one year before replacing Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. Webb, like Joseph, faces restrictions on the timing of his interviews and a potential hire with the Broncos in the playoffs. Nagy, by contrast, is free to interview with and (if applicable) join a HC-needy team at any time.
Here is an updated look at the Ravens’ search for their John Harbaugh replacement:
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): To interview 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interview requested
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): To interview 1/11
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): To interview 1/8
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Facing Domestic Violence Allegations
After starting his season with a six-game suspension and ending it on injured reserve due to lingering concussion symptoms, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice may not be done with his legal troubles. According to Nick Sloan of KMBC 9 News, Rice is being accused of domestic violence by Dacoda Nichole, his ex-girlfriend of eight years. 
In the post, Nichole displayed a series of photos showing injuries she alleges were caused by Rice. The text of the post claimed that the alleged abuse had been ongoing throughout the span of their eight-year relationship. Rice has not been charged with anything to this point in time, but the situation has evolved to a point wherein the league will intervene and, likely, investigate.
The Chiefs released a statement (per Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star), saying, “The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League. We have no further comment at this time.”
Rice is no stranger to legal troubles. His six-game absence to open the season stemmed from a series of incidents in the 2024 offseason. It started when Rice was the driver of vehicle that caused a chain reaction collision, and Rice chose to hit and run. He ended up taking a plea bargain pleading guilty to two third-degree felonies for collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He followed that up with an incident at a club in Dallas, where he allegedly punched a photographer, though no arrests were made or charges filed.
Again, no charges have been filed with today’s allegations, either, but the charges may not be totally necessary for the NFL to take action. As Rice is starting to become a bit of a frequent flier with the league’s disciplinary committees, the results of their investigations may be enough for them to choose to levy another suspension.
2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker
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 (9:00pm CT)
Arizona Cardinals
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): To conduct in-person interview
- Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Patriots): Interview requested
- Matt Burke, defensive coordinator (Texans): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10, considered “strong candidate”
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Interviewed
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/15
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9
Atlanta Falcons
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/15
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Interviewed 1/12; second interview canceled
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/12
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Antonio Pierce, former head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/16
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Hired
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/10
Baltimore Ravens
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Second interview planned
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/19
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/13
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/15
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Second interview expected
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/11
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): Interview expected
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/14
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview requested for 1/21
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
Buffalo Bills
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Rumored candidate
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Rumored candidate
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
Cleveland 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): To conduct second interview 1/21; withdrew from search
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Conducted 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): Second interview requested
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Conducted second interview 1/19; seen as favorite?
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): To conduct second interview 1/23
Las Vegas Raiders
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To conduct second interview 1/21
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/19
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Conducted second interview 1/20
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/8; withdrew from search
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
Miami Dolphins
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/18
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/16
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/19
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Hired
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/15
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Kelvin Sheppard, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/19
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview requested for 1/21
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
New York Giants
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/13
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Mentioned as candidate
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Hired
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Mike Kafka, interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/13
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons). Interviewed 1/8
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Antonio Pierce, former head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/9
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): To interview
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Rumored candidate
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/7; seen as frontrunner
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Conducted in-person interview 1/20
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/17
- Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/18
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): To interview 1/21
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/17
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/16
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Second interview expected
Tennessee Titans
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Mentioned as candidate
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/16
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/18
- Jason Garrett, former offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/9
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): To conduct second interview 1/20
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Among frontrunners; interview canceled
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): To interview
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/17
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Interviewed 1/12
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): To conduct second interview 1/20; reported frontrunner
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Hired
- Steve Sarkisian, head coach (Texas): Rumored candidate; expected to stay at Texas
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed 1/13
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Second interview canceled

