NFL coaching news: Live updates on the latest interviews, hires and rumors around the league

All the latest interview requests, hiring decisions and front-office moves as the coaching carousel spins

We're already in the midst of the wildest NFL coaching carousel in recent memory. Despite many top candidates still coaching in the playoffs, teams are snapping up coaches left and right. 

The latest developments unfolded on Monday, when the Bills fired Sean McDermott after Saturday night's divisional round loss to the Broncos. Buffalo will retain general manager Brandon Beane, who will choose the next head coach. 

The Bills are one of five head coaching vacancies around the NFL. Five have already been filled, with John Harbaugh landing with the Giants after being fired by the Ravens; Kevin Stefanski heading to the Falcons after being let go by the Browns; Jeff Hafley going from Green Bay to Miami to lead the Dolphins; Robert Saleh coming to Tennessee to be the Titans' next coach; and Jesse Minter getting the head-coaching nod in Baltimore. 

Here's the full rundown of every job available at the start of the hiring process:

• New York Giants (hired John Harbaugh)
• Atlanta Falcons (hired Kevin Stefanski)
• Miami Dolphins (hiring Jeff Hafley)
  
• Tennessee Titans (hired Robert Saleh)
• Baltimore Ravens (hiring Jesse Minter)
• Buffalo Bills (fired Sean McDermott)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Mike Tomlin stepped down)
• Arizona Cardinals (fired Jonathan Gannon)
• Las Vegas Raiders (fired Pete Carroll)
• Cleveland Browns (fired Kevin Stefanski)

With more than one-fourth of the league making a coaching change, we decided to launch a second live blog to cover the latest rumors, interviews and eventual hires in every search, as well as provide updates on general manager and coordinator openings. (If you want to catch up on everything that led to this point, you can find our original coaching carousel live blog here.)

Want to stay up to date on every interview request for each head coach and general manager vacancy? We've got you covered.

NFL coaching interview tracker: Bills hire Joe Brady to replace Sean McDermott, finalists emerge elsewhere

Tyler Sullivan

[Jan 23, 2026 at 2:15 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Eric Bieniemy returns to the Chiefs' offensive coordinator post after three seasons away from 2023 to 2025. Kansas City led the NFL in both scoring offense (30.1 points per game) and total offense (406.2 total yards per game) in Bieniemy's five seasons as their OC from 2018-2022, the first five years with Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback. The Chiefs appeared in three Super Bowls in that and won two to conclude the 2019 and 2022 seasons. In 2023, Bieniemy was the Washington Commanders OC in the final year in which Ron Rivera was the team's head coach before going back down to the college ranks as UCLA's OC and associate head coach. In 2025, he was new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's running backs coach, and the Bears were the league's No. 3 rushing attack, averaging 144.5 rushing yards per game. 

[Jan 23, 2026 at 1:09 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports the Bills are interviewing Rivers despite him not having any collegiate or NFL coaching experience. Rivers just completed his 18th NFL season after unretiring midseason in 2025 to come quarterback the Indianapolis Colts after Daniel Jones' Achilles injury. 

[Jan 23, 2026 at 1:06 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

"The starting quarterback [Allen] will be part of the team to help select the new coach," Bills owner Terry Pegula said. "He's going to be working with us."

The Athletic reports that Allen flew with team management to Florida on Friday to interview Mike McDaniel, Anthony Lynn, Anthony Weaver and Grant Udinski over the next few days.

[Jan 23, 2026 at 1:03 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Dallas hires away an NFC East rival. Parker spent the last two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game coordinator and secondary coach. He's had been working with current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio since 2021. This hire marks the first time the Cowboys won't have a former NFL head coach as their defensive coordinator since 2013. 

[Jan 23, 2026 at 12:57 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Buffalo Bills are interviewing former AFC East rival Mike McDaniel for their head coach opening on Friday, according to The Athletic. The former Miami Dolphins head coach did agree to become the Los Angeles Chargers' next offensive coordinator if he doesn't receive a head coaching opportunity this cycle. 

[Jan 22, 2026 at 6:27 pm ET · Aaron Gray]

A new era is underway for the Ravens, as the team announced Thursday it is hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as its new head coach. The 42-year-old Minter replaces John Harbaugh, who actually hired Minter in 2017 as a defensive assistant coach in Baltimore. Over the past two seasons, Minter has served as the Chargers' defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh.

Ravens hiring Jesse Minter: Chargers defensive coordinator set to replace coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 20, 2026 at 7:33 am ET · Kevin Steimle]

Robert Saleh to be hired by Titans as 49ers defensive coordinator gets second head coaching shot

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 19, 2026 at 6:07 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Bills fire Sean McDermott: Buffalo moves on from longtime coach after another postseason exit

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 19, 2026 at 5:41 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Three down, seven to go in the head coach hiring cycle.

The Dolphins were the latest team to make their move, as they are expected to hire Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, per CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Hafley emerged as the front-runner after Miami hired Green Bay vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan to be its general manager.

Hafley, 46, has been a head coach once in his career, serving at Boston College from 2020-23, where he went 22-26.

Dolphins hire Jeff Hafley: Packers defensive coordinator replaces Mike McDaniel in Miami

Jordan Dajani

[Jan 19, 2026 at 4:04 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Lions have found their next offensive coordinator -- and it's not Mike McDaniel.

Get to know 38-year-old Drew Petzing, who spent the past three seasons in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals.

Lions expect to hire former Cardinals assistant Drew Petzing as next offensive coordinator

Austin Nivison

[Jan 19, 2026 at 2:55 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Ravens and Steelers are two of the most desirable head coaching jobs this hiring cycle -- and they're very interested in the same candidate.

The Athletic reported this morning that Anthony Weaver, who served as the Dolphins defensive coordinator the past two seasons, would receive a second, in-person interview with the Steelers on Friday. This afternoon, multiple outlets reported that the Ravens will also bring in Weaver for a second interview, scheduled for Tuesday.

Weaver, 45, has no direct ties to Pittsburgh, but his connections to Baltimore run deep. He coached under John Harbaugh from 2021-23 in various defensive roles and played for the Ravens from 2002-05 after being selected in the second round out of Notre Dame.

Weaver is one of two candidates to reportedly receive second interviews with the Steelers so far, joining Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He's also the only known candidate to earn a second interview with the Ravens, though others are expected in the coming days.

Eight Steelers coaching candidates to watch after Mike Tomlin steps down

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 19, 2026 at 2:08 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Needless to say Buffalo players were shocked (and not pleased) with the firing of their head coach, Sean McDermott.

Bills players' raw reactions to Sean McDermott firing: From 'So stupid' to 'Ya got what ya wanted'

Jordan Dajani

[Jan 19, 2026 at 11:40 am ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Ranking head coaching vacancies: Which of these three remaining jobs is the most desirable?

Jared Dubin

[Jan 19, 2026 at 10:26 am ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Make that 10 teams changing head coaches this cycle! Following Saturday's heartbreaking playoff loss to the Broncos, the Bills fired Sean McDermott after nine seasons. Buffalo is retaining general manager Brandon Beane.

The decision was shocking but not completely unexpected. Despite going 98-50 in the regular season, capturing five AFC East titles and advancing to the playoffs eight times, the Bills went 8-8 in the postseason and never made the Super Bowl.

The Bills, along with the Ravens, are now by far the most attractive job openings, while McDermott immediately becomes one of, if not the best, candidates.

Bills fire Sean McDermott: Buffalo moves on from longtime coach after another postseason exit

Bryan DeArdo

[Jan 17, 2026 at 9:56 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Falcons hire Kevin Stefanski: Former Browns coach takes over in Atlanta in Matt Ryan's first major move

Robby Kalland

[Jan 17, 2026 at 4:13 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

New York Giants finalize five-year deal with John Harbaugh to be their next coach

Jordan Dajani

[Jan 16, 2026 at 6:57 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Here are the latest developments in the Giants–John Harbaugh talks, per trusted Giants reporters:

Should Giants fans be worried? Probably not. But as my colleague John Breech notes, nothing is official until it's done.

John Harbaugh contract delay: Giants still don't have a finalized deal in place as anxious fans wait

John Breech

[Jan 16, 2026 at 5:19 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Titans were scheduled to meet with John Harbaugh in Baltimore on Thursday, but that interview never happened with Harbaugh finalizing a deal to be the next Giants' head coach.

So where does Tennessee go from here? Here's a look at the candidates the Titans have interviewed so far, per team announcements, unless otherwise noted:

• Lou Anarumo -- Colts defensive coordinator
• Steve Spagnuolo -- Chiefs defensive coordinator
• Matt Nagy -- Chiefs offensive coordinator
• Vance Joseph -- Broncos defensive coordinator 
• Kevin Stefanski -- former Browns head coach 
• Mike McCoy -- Titans interim head coach
• Jason Garrett -- former Cowboys head coach
• Mike McDaniel -- former Dolphins head coach (ESPN)
• Brian Daboll -- former Giants head coach (NFL Media)

And here's the upcoming interview schedule, per Titans insider Paul Kuharsky:

• Saturday (in person): Mike McCarthy -- former Cowboys and Packers head coach
• Sunday (in person): Jonathan Gannon -- former Cardinals head coach
• Sunday (by Zoom): Robert Saleh -- 49ers defensive coordinator
• TBD: Raheem Morris -- former Falcons head coach (ESPN)
• TBD: Jeff Hafley -- Packers defensive coordinator (The Athletic)
• TBD: Arthur Smith -- Steelers offensive coordinator (The Athletic)
• TBD: Kliff Kingsbury -- former Commanders offensive coordinator (NFL Media)
• TBD: Jesse Minter -- Chargers defensive coordinator (ESPN)
• TBD: Chris Shula -- Rams defensive coordinator (ESPN)

Kuharsky notes that once the Titans begin trimming their list, the expectation is that the team will narrow the field to three or four finalists.

[Jan 16, 2026 at 4:56 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Jets have completed virtual interviews with the following eight candidates to serve as defensive coordinator under head coach Aaron Glenn:

• Matt Araujo -- Dolphins CBs coach
• Ephraim Banda -- Browns SAFs coach
• Demarcus Covington -- Packers DL coach and run game coordinator
• Chris Harris -- Interim Jets DC
• Daronte Jones -- Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and DBs coach
• Jim Leonhard -- Broncos defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach
• Wink Martindale -- Former Giants, Ravens and Broncos DC
• Jim O'Neil -- Lions defensive assistant

And here's some important context from ESPN's Rich Cimini:

Martindale and Leonhard are the biggest names. Leonhard is a popular ex-Jet who played for the Browns when Aaron Glenn was an asst coach there. Leonhard was the DC at Wisconsin, but hasn't called plays on the NFL level. 

Martindale is the most experienced coach. He runs a pressure-based scheme that Glenn prefers. He was the Giants' DC in 2023, when they ranked No. 1 in takeaways. The Jets, of all teams, could use some of that. 

Wink was an early target for Glenn; they talked before the season ended.

[Jan 16, 2026 at 3:32 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

As the coach they fired continues to be a hot candidate -- Kevin Stefanski is expected to receive second interviews with the Ravens, Falcons and Titans next week, per NFL Media -- the Browns are also in the process of finding his replacement.

As of Friday afternoon, Cleveland has completed interviews with eight candidates and requested interviews with two others, according to reports.

Completed

• Jesse Minter -- Chargers DC (team announcement)
• Nate Scheelhaase -- Rams passing game coordinator (team announcement)
• Mike McDaniel -- former Dolphins HC (team announcement)
  
• Todd Monken -- Ravens OC (team announcement)
• Aden Durde -- Seahawks DC (team announcement)
• Dan Pitcher -- Bengals OC (team announcement)
• Jim Schwartz -- Browns DC (team announcement)
• Tommy Rees -- Browns OC (team announcement)

Requested

• Saturday: Grant Udinski -- Jaguars OC (ESPN)
• TBD: Chris Shula -- Rams DC (Cleveland.com)

While the first round of interviews is still ongoing, Cleveland.com reported that Jim Schwartz, who has served as the team's defensive coordinator since 2023, is expected to receive a second interview on Sunday. ESPN reported that Todd Monken, who was the Ravens' offensive coordinator over the past three seasons, is also expected to receive a second interview. 

Cleveland.com also reported that Tommy Rees, who spent last season as the Browns' offensive coordinator, is not getting a second interview.

Browns fire Kevin Stefanski: Here are five potential coaches who could replace him

Jared Dubin

[Jan 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Robinson spent the past two seasons as the Falcons' offensive coordinator. Prior to that, he worked for the Rams in a variety of roles from 2019-23.

Eagles done with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo: 5 candidates to get Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley on track

Garrett Podell

[Jan 16, 2026 at 12:04 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

The Falcons were technically the first team to complete a head coach interview with John Harbaugh -- even if it was only a phone conversation that Harbaugh had already held with other interested teams. Ultimately, that early contact didn't matter, as Harbaugh is now working to finalize a deal with the Giants.

After missing out on the top candidate of this hiring cycle, where do the Falcons turn next? As of Friday afternoon, Atlanta has completed nine head coach interviews and has requested interviews with three additional candidates, according to multiple reports.

Stefanski, the former Browns head coach, is currently the favorite to land the job in Atlanta, per SNY. The pairing makes sense given the offensive firepower already in place with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and others. The biggest question, however, is whether Michael Penix Jr. can establish himself as a franchise quarterback after an uneven start to his NFL career.

Completed

• Antonio Pierce -- former Raiders HC
• Jesse Minter -- Chargers DC
• Jeff Hafley -- Packers DC
• Mike McDaniel -- former Dolphins HC
• Kevin Stefanski -- former Browns HC
• Klint Kubiak -- Seahawks OC
• Anthony Weaver -- Dolphins DC
• Aden Durde -- Seahawks DC
• John Harbaugh -- former Ravens HC

Requested/scheduled

• TBD: Robert Saleh -- 49ers DC (Sports Illustrated)
• TBD: Vance Joseph -- Broncos DC (The Athletic)
• TBD: Ejiro Evero -- Panthers DC (NFL Media)

Falcons coaching candidates: Why Kevin Stefanski tops list, plus two Rams coordinators should be in play

Zachary Pereles

[Jan 16, 2026 at 9:39 am ET · Kevin Steimle]

John Harbaugh is not officially the Giants new head coach just yet. Negotiations are ongoing, but the Giants are optimistic the deal can get done.

[Jan 15, 2026 at 5:27 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

John Harbaugh's first 100 days: The blueprint to rebuild the Giants

Garrett Podell

[Jan 15, 2026 at 4:17 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Among the coaches John Harbaugh is targeting for defensive coordinator is Anthony Weaver, per SNY. 

Weaver, who has received head coaching interviews this hiring cycle, served as the defensive coordinator for the Dolphins for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he coached under Harbaugh in Baltimore, working as the defensive line coach & run game coordinator (2021) and the assistant head coach & defensive line coach (2022-23).

Filling out his coaching staff is one of several tasks Harbaugh faces this offseason as he attempts to bring success to a franchise starving for it.

John Harbaugh's first 100 days: The blueprint to rebuild the Giants

Garrett Podell

[Jan 15, 2026 at 2:13 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

Eagles done with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo: 5 candidates to get Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley on track

Garrett Podell