NFL coach and GM rumors: What we're hearing ahead of expected changes after Week 18

A rolling live blog covering rumors, news and analysis of coaching and front-office decisions

With the 2025 NFL regular season just days from being completely wrapped up on Sunday, that also means the time is running out for certain NFL general managers and head coaches.

"Black Monday" -- the Monday after the regular season is completed -- is known as such because firings typically occur all around the league once 18 of the league's 32 teams' seasons come to a close. It can be pretty clear at times to project who is headed for the chopping block while other decisions can surprise. The new York Giants' head-coaching job and Tennessee Titans' head-coaching job have already opened up with firings for Brian Daboll and Brian Callahan respectively. The Miami Dolphins have an opening at the general manager spot after firing Chris Grier midseason. 

Here's a look at the latest rumors and reports surrounding who could stay and who could go around the NFL next week. We'll have you up to date with everything you need to know with our live blog below. 

[Jan 3, 2026 at 5:52 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

There are only two coaching jobs currently open, and both are for franchises with promising rookie quarterbacks. 

So who will New York and Tennessee target for their vacancies? Here are some candidates, per The Athletic.

• Matt Nagy (Chiefs offensive coordinator) 
• Lou Anarumo (Colts defensive coordinator)
• Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders offensive coordinator)
• Jeff Hafley (Packers defensive coordinator)
• Chris Shula (Rams defensive coordinator)
• Robert Saleh (49ers defensive coordinator) 
• Anthony Campanile (Jaguars defensive coordinator) 
• Klint Kubiak (Seahawks offensive coordinator)

[Jan 3, 2026 at 4:55 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Raiders and Pete Carroll are headed for a split, per CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Las Vegas is headed for a rebuild, and the 74-year-old head coach is not expected to be a part of it. From Jones:

The downward spiral that has been this season for the Las Vegas Raiders can't come quickly enough, and signs point to this being a one-and-done season for legendary head coach Pete Carroll. 

Put simply, it hasn't worked in Vegas. Carroll wasn't Tom Brady's first choice there, and the end result was a hodgepodge of differing coaching philosophies on top of a different personnel philosophy. Carroll fired two coordinators, including an offensive coordinator who is due $12 million from Mark Davis over the next two years, but kept his two sons who oversee underperforming groups.

[Jan 3, 2026 at 4:44 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

There are a lot of reasons not to get rid of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. He's won three straight NFC South titles -- and he's a win over the Panthers and a Falcons loss to the Saints away from claiming a fourth consecutive division crown. He just signed a multi-year extension in June.

But there are some red flags. Despite finishing first in the division from 2022-24, his record as head coach is just one game over .500 (34-33). Meanwhile, this year's team has lost seven of its past nine games since starting 6-2.

So what is CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones hearing regarding Bowles and the Bucs?

Buccaneers ownership usually waits until the end of the season to evaluate head coaches. It seems unlikely Tampa would part with Todd Bowles after paying him a three-year extension in the offseason. Bowles is 34-33 in Tampa, along with three playoff appearances that he hopes to make four after this weekend. Staff changes, however this season turns out, are likely, at the very least.

[Jan 3, 2026 at 3:01 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

From CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones: Might Aaron Glenn be a second one-and-done coach in the league this year? It is highly unlikely. It has been a bad, bad year for Gang Green, but sources don't sense Woody Johnson is inclined to cut bait on Glenn even if the performance on the field was below expectations. Glenn will soon prepare for defensive coordinator interviews, and there's likely to be more staff shakeup after this season. The belief is Johnson wants to see what Glenn can do with a quarterback in Year 2, and the Jets have more ammunition than any other team to go get one.

[Jan 3, 2026 at 2:06 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski appeared destined for a breakup after six seasons according to our insider Jonathan Jones. A two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Stefanski is 44-56 at the helm in Cleveland with two winning seasons and two playoff appearances. 

At 43, Stefanski remains a young coach who is well thought of across the league, and few would be surprised if he winds up getting another head-coaching gig this cycle. In consecutive losing seasons Stefanski has handed off play-calling duties to his offensive coordinator, with last year going to Ken Dorsey and this year to Tommy Rees. It will be interesting to see how he handles that at his next stop should the expected take place.

NFL coaching, GM shakeups are coming: What I'm hearing as the firing cycle begins

Jonathan Jones

[Jan 2, 2026 at 4:49 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Owner Amy Adams Strunk announced today that Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker will have more defined roles in the organization leading into next season. Borgonzi will be the traditional general manager, oversee the 53-man roster and lead the coaching search to replace the departed Brian Callahan. Brinker will be the president of football operations and oversee things like the salary cap, analytics and more. 

[Jan 2, 2026 at 4:28 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Will the Ravens actually move on from John Harbaugh? That remains to be seen. But if Baltimore does make a move -- or if its AFC North rival Bengals fires Zac Taylor -- the opportunity to coach Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow would instantly become one of the most attractive jobs on the market.

As for the rest of the potential job openings ahead of Week 18, check those out here:

Ranking potential NFL head coach openings by quarterback situations: Ravens, Bengals jobs would rule supreme

Jared Dubin

[Jan 2, 2026 at 4:08 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Ravens and Steelers face off Sunday night in a winner-take-all battle for the AFC North and the No. 4 seed. But both franchises -- after disappointing seasons to this point -- have grown frustrated with their long-time head coaches.

Could either John Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin be fired if their team falls short Sunday night? Our NFL writer Bryan DeArdo explored that topic and more:

What's at stake in Steelers-Ravens showdown, including the futures of Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 2, 2026 at 10:19 am ET · Kevin Steimle]

New York has started compiling a list of candidates, according to an ESPN report, that includes former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, former Raiders coach and Giants player Antonio Pierce and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, among others. Current interim coach Mike Kafka will also be given an interview.

Ranking reported Giants coaching candidates by category: Head coaches, coordinators and more

Jared Dubin

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:24 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Who are some coordinators that could rise to the NFL head-coaching ranks for the first time? Our Tyler Sullivan ranked the top 10 coordinators who could be attractive, first-time head coaches this offseason. 

Ranking NFL head coach candidates who aren't retreads: Both Rams coordinators could be hot names this cycle

Tyler Sullivan

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:17 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Atlanta Falcons (7-9) are in the midst of an eighth consecutive season missing the playoffs, which is tied for the second-longest drought in Atlanta history. The Falcons have also lost nine or more games in all eight of those seasons, and Fontenot has been the general manager for the last five years. Owner Arthur Blank's patience could be wearing thin. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:12 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cleveland is 7-26 since 2024 after the Browns went 11-6 and reached the postseason in 2023. Head coach Kevin Stefanski's side of the ball, the offense, is currently wasting an A+ effort by his defense this season losing 13 of their 16 games. The Browns' offense ranks 30th in total offense (266.0 total yards per game) and second in total defense (278.6 total yards per game allowed) this season. All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett produced 22.0 sacks, just one away from breaking the league's all-time, single-season record of 22.5. Garrett could break the record in Week 18 at the Bengals. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:06 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Cowboys could be one and done with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. He was hired to new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's first Dallas staff, and his defense has underwhelmed. Dallas ranks last in both scoring defense (29.8 points per game allowed) and pass defense (253.6 passing yards per game allowed). When Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones faulted himself for hiring Eberflus after Dallas was officially eliminated from postseason contention back in Week 16. 

"Ultimately, you point your finger right back at you on who hired Matt Eberflus," Jones said. "It's easy to say you could have done things differently, but that goes with the territory. Any time you make the ultimate decision, then you've got to look at that and weigh it."  

Jerry Jones owns his role in Cowboys' now-30-year Super Bowl drought after Week 16 elimination

Garrett Podell

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:50 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Las Vegas Raiders have lost 14 games this season, tied for the most in a season in team history in 74-year-old Pete Carroll's first year as head coach. The team's 10-game losing streak is currently the longest active losing streak in the NFL. Las Vegas' offense in Year 1 under Carroll is the worst in the NFL in terms of points per game (14.2) and total yards per game (247.8). Carroll's hand-picked former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith leads the NFL in interceptions with 17, the most in a season by a Raiders quarterback since Kerry Collins' 20 in 2004.