The NFL coaching carousel for 2026 has arrived, with six head-coaching vacancies already out there and more potentially to come. Head-coaching searches are already underway, with some of this year’s top candidates being brought in for interviews. As we do every year, we’re making predictions for NFL coaches hired in 2026.
Let’s dive into our NFL coaching carousel predictions.
New York Giants: Kliff Kingsbury
Do not mistake the Washington Commanders parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury as an indictment of him as a play-caller, especially since players wanted him back. In a season where Jayden Daniels (7 starts), Terry McLaurin (10 starts), Noah Brown (4 games), Austin Ekeler (2 starts), and Luke McCaffrey (9 games) all missed nearly a majority of the year, Kingsbury’s offense still ranked 15th in yards per drive (32.3), 12th in yards per play (5.5), and sixth in red-zone touchdown rate (65.2 percent). Over the last two seasons in Washington, Kingsbury’s offense ranked sixth in EPA per Play (0.089) and third in Success Rate (47.4%).
He proved that he can make adjustments to avoid the second-half falloffs that plagued him with the Arizona Cardinals. Let us also keep in mind that he posted a much better winning percentage in Arizona (.432) than his replacement (.294). He would be a very solid hire and exactly the kind of coach you want designing an offense centered around Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, Theo Johnson Jr., and a potential top rookie wide receiver. Plus, if it proves to be a successful hire, it would be a great way to stick it to Washington.
Related: Ranking NFL Coaching Vacancies 2026
Las Vegas Raiders: Brian Flores
It is evident that minority owner Tom Brady is being given significant decision-making power over the Las Vegas Raiders. While he did not get his preferred candidate in the NFL coaching carousel last offseason (Ben Johnson), rumors suggest that Brian Flores is a primary target for Brady this year. Fortunately for him, due to an ongoing discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three of its teams (including the New York Giants), the Raiders might be one of Flores’ few viable options for a head-coaching role.
Flores’ resume as a defensive play-caller speaks for itself. Since taking over as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator in 2023, he has orchestrated a unit that ranks second in EPA per play (-0.066) and fifth in success rate (42%). While he faced challenges finding the right offensive coordinator in Miami, Brady might already have a solution by potentially recreating the Patriot Way with Brian Daboll.
If the Las Vegas job does not materialize for Flores, his other options may be limited. Reports have surfaced regarding friction between Flores and the Minnesota organization, which aligns with his reputation during his tenure in Miami. However, Brady and Daboll both know him well and understand how to work with him. There’s volatility risk here, but Brady truly might see this as the best way to turn the Raiders’ culture around.
Related: Ranking Options in 2026 NFL QB Carousel
Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
Kevin Stefanski will be the most in-demand name in the NFL coaching carousel. It comes down to what job he wants, and it feels like the Giants and Atlanta Falcons are two top options as of now. The Giants do have the quarterback to offer, but Atlanta can offer Stefanski an opportunity to pick what general manager he wants to work with. That matters.
Stefanski would immediately inherit an offense with All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, whom he could center his offense around, along with Pro Bowl receiving threats in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Furthermore, he would also have the option of reuniting with Kirk Cousins and deploying him as the bridge starter to open the 2026 NFL season. While a good hire at defensive coordinator would be key, the next play-caller would get to work with a unit that boasts Jessie Bates, A.J. Terrell, James Pearce Jr., Javon Walker, Xavier Watts and Divine Deablo.
Plus, for Stefanski, the path to competing for a playoff spot each year might be a lot easier in the NFC South than the NFC East. He would have the chance to be competitive immediately with a skill group on both sides of the ball that can put him in a position to instantly make Atlanta a division champ next fall.
Related: Atlanta Falcons Coaching Candidates 2026
Cleveland Browns: Klint Kubiak
The Cleveland Browns do not exactly have the most attractive job available in the NFL coaching carousel this offseason. After all, the franchise is not in a position to snag one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, the offensive line is a mess, and the immediate demand for Kevin Stefanski speaks to how many around the league feel about this situation. Missing out on the top head-coaching candidates, however, could ultimately work out in Cleveland’s favor.
As we have seen throughout the recent history of NFL hiring, owners like to strike early, and the playoffs often complicate things. That could result in Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak having a very limited window for interviews, assuming his team makes a deep postseason run. If that happens, and clubs like the Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons move quickly through the process, Cleveland could afford to be patient.
Kubiak is still relatively inexperienced as a play-caller, and his track record is spotty. The New Orleans Saints offense looked great for two weeks in 2024 but then flatlined after injuries to the offensive line. In Seattle, Sam Darnold played great in the first half of the season—posting a 116.0 QB rating, 70.4% completion rate, and 9.6 ypa—before his production cratered in the second half, falling to an 85.2 QB rating, 65.5% completion rate, and 7.5 ypa. However, Kubiak was able to spark Seattle’s ground game (140.6 rush ypg and 4.5 ypc) when that happened. There is risk here for Cleveland, but Kubiak’s experience under Kyle Shanahan and Mike Macdonald, paired with those recent bright spots, offers upside if the Browns are willing to take a chance.
Read More: 2026 NFL Draft Order and Picks By Team
Tennessee Titans: Mike McCarthy
The Tennessee Titans need to find stability and a head coach who can truly mentor quarterback Cam Ward. Both Dak Prescott and Aaron Rodgers have credited Mike McCarthy with helping them take significant steps forward in their respective careers. McCarthy is also well-regarded as a leader and credited with helping organizations improve through the use of analytics and modernized structural changes. These are all things Tennessee needs.
While McCarthy has been fired twice, he also maintains a .618 winning percentage as the Green Bay Packers coach and a .583 mark with the Dallas Cowboys. He possesses the connections across the NFL to build a strong, experienced Titans coaching staff with a diverse set of ideas on how to run a modern offense and defense. Some might not see this as a splashy hire for Tennessee, but it would bring much-needed stability over the next four-plus years, and Ward would likely improve under McCarthy’s tutelage.
Related: NFL Cap Space By Team 2026, including Tennessee Titans Cap Space
Arizona Cardinals: Klayton Adams
Money is a factor in the NFL coaching carousel. That’s something we’re keeping in mind with the Arizona Cardinals. Michael Bidwill will now have to pay three head coaches–Kliff Kingsbury, Jonathan Gannon and the new hire–in addition to money owed to the next Cardinals coaching staff. There are some appealing things about this job, but we do think money and Bidwill’s hesitancy to splurge could push some candidates away.
That leads us to Klayton Adams. He spent two years in Arizona as the offensive line coach and his departure was felt this past season. In 2024, Arizona ranked 16th in ESPN pass-block win rate and 11th in run-block win rate. This season, they finished 21st and 15th, all the while the offense’s yards-per-play average (5.9 to 5.2), scoring rate (44.6% to 36.8%) and EPA per Play (0.067 to 0.014) all plummeted.
Meanwhile, as the Cowboys offensive coordinator, Adams oversaw a breakout season from Javonte Williams (1,338 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns) and helped an offense that ranked sixth in yards per play (5.9) and second in scoring rate (48 percent). This would be a bit of an unconventional hire for Arizona, as Adams doesn’t have play-calling experience, but he’s a potentially cost-effective option worth hiring.
Read More: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, Offseason Evaluations for Eliminated Teams
