Eagles To Give Brian Daboll “Extended Look” For OC Job; Team To Interview Mike McDaniel
11:00am: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms an Eagles-Daboll interview is expected.
08:34am: Brian Daboll lost his head coaching position with the Giants in the middle of the 2025 season, but as expected, he is still generating significant attention from clubs in need of an offensive coordinator (he also landed an HC interview with the Titans). The Eagles are one of the teams interested in Daboll’s services as an OC, and Philadelphia will give him an “extended look,” per Connor Hughes of SNY.tv.
Despite their bounty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, the recently-demoted Kevin Patullo was unable to guide the Eagles to the same success as his predecessor, Kellen Moore. After helping Philly to a Super Bowl title in 2024, Moore accepted the Saints’ head coaching job last year, and Patullo’s performance in his first and only season in the OC role was heavily criticized. Towards the end of the ‘25 slate, head coach Nick Sirianni felt compelled to become more involved in his team’s offense.
That did not bode well for Patullo, and after the Eagles were dispatched from the playoffs by a short-handed 49ers outfit in the wildcard round, the writing was on the wall. It is unclear if Patullo will remain with the organization, but if he does, it will not be as OC.
Daboll, 50, earned his shot at the Giants’ HC gig by virtue of his success as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, and his OC aptitude remains well-regarded in league circles. He also has familiarity with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith from their time together at Alabama – where Daboll worked as OC and QB coach in 2017 – and he coached running back Saquon Barkley for two seasons in New York.
As of the time of this writing, only the Chargers have secured a publicly-reported OC interview with Daboll. The Eagles’ vacancy appears to be a tempting one, though, and unless Los Angeles makes him a pitch he can’t refuse, it would be fair to expect Daboll to sit down with Philadelphia brass.
The club did land an interview with Mike Kafka, who worked under Daboll as the Giants’ offensive coordinator and then replaced his former boss as Big Blue’s interim head coach in 2025. Hughes suggests the Eagles are high on Kafka as well, and they are taking a few other big swings.
Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, one of the most-coveted coaches on the market, is expected to interview with the Eagles for their OC post, as ESPN’s Jeff Darlington notes (previously, we knew only that Philadelphia was interested in talking with McDaniel). The club will have competition for his services, however.
McDaniel’s Miami tenure ended on a sour note, but the first half of his stint produced excellent results as he helped unlock quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s potential. That has buoyed his stock as a highly-respected offensive mind, and he has drawn head coaching interest from five teams (the Browns, Falcons, Raiders, Ravens, and Titans) and OC interest from four others (the Bucs, Chargers, Eagles, and Lions; Baltimore is also considering McDaniel for its OC position).
The Falcons have already hired Kevin Stefanski as their next head coach, and the Browns’, Titans’, and Raiders’ HC openings are generally not considered to be as enticing as the Atlanta or Baltimore jobs. On the other hand, the teams that are interested in McDaniel as an OC boast considerable offensive talent, and McDaniel acknowledges he is intrigued by those jobs (via Darlington).
Jim Bob Cooter, Zac Robinson, and Kliff Kingsbury are among the other names on the Eagles’ radar.
Steelers To Conduct HC Interview With Mike McCarthy
With Mike Tomlin having resigned as the Steelers’ head coach, Pittsburgh could turn to the coach who bested Tomlin in Super Bowl XLV as his replacement. As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports, the Steelers have secured an HC interview with Mike McCarthy (ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report an interview was expected).
McCarthy, 62, is a Pittsburgh native, and he and Steelers GM Omar Khan had a brief overlap in New Orleans in 2000-01. During that time, McCarthy was working as the Saints’ offensive coordinator, and Khan was in the team’s football operations department.
That modicum of familiarity aside, McCarthy does bring plenty of experience to the table. His Super Bowl victory came in his fifth season as the Packers’ HC, and he lasted seven more years in Green Bay beyond that. After a year off in 2019, McCarthy took over for Jason Garrett as the Cowboys’ head coach in 2020. Dallas struggled to a 6-10 mark in McCarthy’s first year, but the team put together three straight 12-win seasons thereafter.
However, those successful regular seasons resulted in just one playoff victory during McCarthy’s Dallas tenure. Following a 7-10 campaign in 2024, the club did not renew his contract.
That has not prevented McCarthy from attracting interest in each of the last two head coaching cycles. He interviewed for the Bears’ and Saints’ posts last year and for the Titans’ and Giants’ vacancies in 2026. While New York has already hired John Harbaugh, the Tennessee job remains open.
The Steelers’ storied history and unparalleled head coaching stability make their HC gig attractive in some respects, though their quarterback situation is one that could give high-end candidates cause for concern. With former McCarthy charge Aaron Rodgers under center, the club clinched the AFC North crown in the waning seconds of the 2025 regular season but was routed by the Texans in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Reports published after Tomlin’s resignation suggested Rodgers would not return to Pittsburgh.
Other reports have indicated that the team would nonetheless be amenable to a new deal for the mercurial passer, and that Rodgers’ teammates would be happy to have him back. Even if that were to happen, Rodgers is now 42, and the Steelers do not have an obvious long-term QB on the roster or a clear means of acquiring one this offseason.
Of course, a McCarthy-Rodgers reunion in the Steel City would be a fascinating development given the combination of success and interpersonal tension they shared in Green Bay (it has been reported that any discord between the two men has dissipated over time). Their QB outlook notwithstanding, veteran NFL reporter and current Cowboys beat Ed Werder says there is nothing McCarthy would like more than to become the head coach of his hometown Steelers, and he even suggests a McCarthy hire could make a Rodgers re-up more likely.
Take a look at our tracker to see how the Steelers’ search, and the searches of other HC-needy teams, are shaping up.
Aaron Rodgers Not Expected To Re-Sign With Steelers; Team Amenable To Reunion
Mike Tomlin resigned as the Steelers’ head coach this week, ending a 19-year run with the franchise. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers was Tomlin’s last quarterback in Pittsburgh. With Tomlin gone, it’s likely Rodgers has thrown his final pass as a Steeler, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says.
This isn’t especially surprising in the wake of comments owner Art Rooney II made following Tomlin’s exit.
“Aaron came here to play for Mike, so I think it’ll most likely affect his decision,” Rooney said of Rodgers’ future.
However, the Steelers are reportedly open to a Rodgers return if he is so inclined. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers’ teammates were effusive in their praise for him, and most (if not all) of them told team executives during their exit interviews they would like to have him back next year. Schefter nonetheless acknowledges Rodgers is unlikely to re-sign.
During his trip to free agency last offseason, Rodgers reportedly told the Vikings they were his preferred team. After Minnesota didn’t reciprocate, the longtime Packer and ex-Jet pivoted to Pittsburgh on a one-year, $13.65MM contract.
In their only year working together, Rodgers and Tomlin formed a strong bond during a 10-7 campaign. With Rodgers providing an upgrade over predecessor and fellow short-term stopgap Russell Wilson, Tomlin went out with his eighth AFC North title and 13th playoff berth.
With his Steelers tenure likely over, it’s unclear if the 42-year-old Rodgers will aim to play a 22nd season in 2026. Rodgers said before the season that it would probably be his last, but he left the door open for a 2026 return in late December. While a Monday morning report pointed to mutual interest in Rodgers continuing as a Steeler next year, that was before their season fizzled out with a 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round. Tomlin stepped down the next day.
If this is it for Rodgers, his illustrious career will conclude on a respectable note. The Steelers didn’t have a great offensive supporting cast around him, but Rodgers completed 65.7% of passes, amassed 3,322 yards, tossed 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions, and posted a 94.8 passer rating in 16 games. That may be enough to convince other teams to pursue him as a short-term fix in the offseason.
With Rodgers seemingly done in Pittsburgh, it’s unknown which route the team will take at quarterback this offseason. Mason Rudolph is under contract for another year, but he’s likely better off in a backup role. Sixth-round pick Will Howard, who didn’t throw a pass as a rookie, is another in-house option. Otherwise, free agency, the trade market and the draft will be potential avenues for the Steelers. With still a couple of months before decisions are made on that front, the Steelers are working to find a new head coach for the first time since 2007.
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.
Packers Extend GM Brian Gutekunst, HC Matt LaFleur
11:01pm: According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, LaFleur and the Packers have agreed to a multi-year extension. NFL Network peer Ian Rapoport adds that an extended deal has been agreed to with Gutekunst, as well. In addition, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that executive vice president Russ Ball was included in the extensions, as well.
According to Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required), Policy did not give Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Bears a great deal of consideration. That game was just one of the many data points Policy took into account when making the decision to extend his top power brokers.
8:24am: The Packers are working toward contract extensions with general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Both Gutekunst and LaFleur are expected to reach agreements with the team.
As things stand, Gutekunst and LaFleur are unsigned beyond 2026. It’s no surprise the Packers are nearing extensions with the two, however, as CEO Ed Policy made it known last summer he’s against allowing GMs and head coaches reaching lame-duck status.
“I’m generally opposed — I’d never say never — [but] I’m generally opposed to a coach or GM going into the last year of their contract,” Policy said. “That creates a lot of issues. I think normally you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally.”
As a Packers employee since 1999, the 52-year-old Gutekunst has spent approximately half of his life with the organization. He worked in scouting roles until taking over for Ted Thompson as the team’s GM in 2018. A Super Bowl appearance has eluded the franchise since then, but the Packers have gone to the postseason in six of Gutekunst’s eight years at the helm.
Less than a year after Gutekunst assumed the reins, he fired longtime head coach Mike McCarthy in December 2018. The ensuing head coaching search led to the hiring of LaFleur, then the Titans’ offensive coordinator. The Packers have gone a resoundingly successful 76-40-1 under LaFleur in the regular season. However, they’ve struggled to a 3-6 mark in the playoffs.
The Packers’ 2025 season ended with a wild-card round meltdown against the archrival Bears, who overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit to escape with a 31-27 win. There was some uncertainty about LaFleur’s status in the immediate aftermath, but another report indicated he’d land an extension. It appears that will be the case despite the Packers’ season finishing with five straight losses. They went 9-7-1 in the regular season after starting 9-3-1.
The Gutekunst-LaFleur duo produced 13-win seasons and NFC North titles in each of their first three seasons, but the Packers’ results have been less impressive in recent years. They compiled an 8-9 mark in 2022, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ last season in Green Bay, and have combined for a 29-21-1 record and no division crowns in three seasons since then.
Gutekunst found the Packers’ third straight franchise QB in Jordan Love, the 26th pick in 2020, and that no doubt earned the executive a longer leash. All indications are he and LaFleur will continue working together in Green Bay for the foreseeable future.
Giants Finalize Deal To Hire John Harbaugh As Head Coach
The Giants have finalized a five-year deal with John Harbaugh to make him the team’s new head coach, per Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
“I’m proud and honored to the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families,” Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). “But most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together.” The 63-year-old is set to host his first press conference as the Giants’ head coach on Tuesday, per Garafolo.
Harbaugh emerged as the leading candidate for the Giants’ head coaching vacancy shortly after he was fired by the Ravens last week. He visited New York on Wednesday for a lengthy in-person meeting, but no deal came together before Harbaugh flew back to his (current) home in Baltimore. On Wednesday night, however, it was reported that Harbaugh accepted the job, which kicked off a multi-day process to finalize the agreement. The five-year deal is expected to be worth at least $100MM, per FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, keeping Harbaugh as one of the highest-paid coaches in the league.
Compensation, however, was not the reason for this week’s delay, as that sum was agreed upon early in the negotiating process, according to Garafolo. Instead, Harbaugh wanted to change the Giants’ leadership hierarchy into one that more resembled the Ravens’. In the past, New York’s head coach has reported to the team’s general manager, who in turn reported to ownership, but in Baltimore, Harbaugh reported directly to owner Steve Bisciotti. The Giants agreed to Harbaugh’s terms and formalized the new reporting structure in his contract, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“I report to [Giants owner] John Mara,” Harbaugh confirmed (via The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor). He added that he looks forward to forming a strong partnership with general manager Joe Schoen, who was a key part of the Giants’ full-court press to land the veteran head coach. It remains to be seen if there will be any other formal division of powers beyond the reporting structure written into Harbaugh’s deal.
Harbaugh will now get to work building his coaching staff. The Giants promised to spare no expense in hiring his assistants, many of whom will likely come from his previous staffs in Baltimore. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is considered the top candidate for the Giants’ OC job, though he is also scheduled for a second head coaching interview with the Browns. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was Harbaugh’s assistant head coach in Baltimore in 2022 and 2023, is at the top of the team’s list of DC candidates.
After Harbaugh hires his top lieutenants, he will work with them to hire the rest of his staff. The Giants have already notified some of their incumbent coaches that they will be moving in a different direction, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
At the same time, Harbaugh – and his new staff, as they come aboard – will get to work evaluating New York’s roster to prepare for the offseason. None will be more important than quarterback Jaxson Dart, who Harbaugh had already scouted in advance of his trip to New York, where the two got some face time.
“I’m very excited about these players,” Harbaugh said (via O’Connor). “I spoke with Jaxson two or three times at length & I couldn’t be more impressed with him. Watched him on tape, he had a heckuva rookie season and he’s got the right mindset. That is one tough dude.”
Harbaugh coached a few current Giants during his time in Baltimore, including linebacker Chris Board and safety Beau Brade. Pending free agent right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor started his career as a Ravens fifth-round pick in 2017, and offensive lineman Reid Holskey spent his first NFL training camp under Harbaugh last summer. In general, though, he will be working with a brand-new group of players.
“I think the Giants roster is strong and it’s our job to make it stronger,” Harbaugh continued, per O’Connor. “We are going to compete for the playoffs and for championships. I expect and want to make the playoffs next year.”
That proclamation will gladden the hearts of Giants fans who have only witnessed two playoff berths since the team’s 2011 Super Bowl victory. New York has gone through multiple attempted rebuilds since, including their latest effort led by Schoen and Daboll that featured a wild card win in their first year and a 13-38 record since. Daboll was removed in November with the team headed for its third straight season with double-digit losses.
Consistent playoff appearances were a hallmark of Harbaugh’s time in Baltimore. The Ravens made the postseason in 12 of his 18 seasons as head coach, including five straight berths to start his tenure, culminating in a 2012 Super Bowl win. In the last eight seasons with Lamar Jackson, the team qualified for the playoffs six times, though Baltimore never won more than one game in a single postseason. Those struggles, as well as a concerning pattern of blown double-digit leads, were ultimately the impetus behind Harbaugh’s firing in Baltimore.
Harbaugh will be looking to bring that regular-season success to New York along with the strong culture and coaching staff he built in Baltimore. The Giants have a tight cap situation at the moment, but they could use Harbaugh’s reputation to draw a strong free agent class at more affordable prices. The team is also slated for the No. 5 pick in April’s draft, which will be one of Harbaugh’s biggest early decisions as a head coach.
Offseason Outlook: Indianapolis Colts
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:
- Retained GM Chris Ballard, HC Shane Steichen
- Giants, Titans interviewed DC Lou Anarumo for HC jobs
- Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge became Notre Dame D-line coach
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.