Wed Jan 07 07:20:00 UTC 2026: Headline: NFL Coaching Carousel Spins: Eight Teams Seek New Leadership After Tumultuous Season
The Story:
Following a dramatic 2025 NFL season marked by upsets, disappointments, and a stark division between playoff contenders and struggling teams, eight head coaching positions have opened across the league. The coaching carousel is in full swing as owners seek to replicate the success stories of teams revitalized by new leadership. High-profile firings, including that of John Harbaugh by the Ravens, highlight the pressure to achieve deep playoff runs. Several teams, like the Giants, Browns, Falcons, Cardinals, Titans and Raiders are entering rebuild phases.
Key Points:
- Eight head coaching positions are open following the 2025 season.
- The Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, despite 12 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title.
- The Giants, despite recent struggles, are considered an attractive opening due to patient ownership and a promising young quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
- The Browns are undergoing a quarterback carousel situation.
- The Falcons fired Raheem Morris after just two seasons despite back-to-back eight win seasons.
- The Raiders are undergoing a complete reset after the Pete Carroll experiment failed and have the number one overall draft pick.
Key Takeaways:
- NFL owners are increasingly impatient, as evidenced by the quick hook given to coaches like Raheem Morris.
- The quarterback position remains paramount, with teams prioritizing coaches who can develop or manage complex QB situations.
- Organizational stability and patient ownership are highly valued assets for attracting top coaching candidates.
- Rebuilds are common but risky, with franchises potentially jeopardizing their reputation.
- The line between success and failure for an NFL head coach remains incredibly thin.