Image Source: Yahoo Sports Staff
Key Takeaways:
- The Buffalo Bills have fired head coach Sean McDermott after a divisional round loss to the Denver Broncos.
- The New York Giants have hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year, $100 million contract.
- The Atlanta Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, replacing Raheem Morris.
- The Green Bay Packers have extended the contract of head coach Matt LaFleur, despite a five-game losing streak.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down, and have interviewed several candidates, including Anthony Weaver and Mike McCarthy.
Introduction to the Coaching Carousel
The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing, with several teams making changes to their coaching staffs. The Buffalo Bills shocked the league by firing head coach Sean McDermott, despite his regular-season success. As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, "Sean McDermott has been fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills… The 51-year-old McDermott was hired in 2017 and led the Bills to five AFC East division titles and eight playoff appearances in nine seasons." This move has left many wondering what the future holds for the Bills, and who will replace McDermott as head coach.
The New York Giants’ New Era
The New York Giants have hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year, $100 million contract. As team president John Mara stated, "We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants… John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared." Harbaugh brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the Giants, and is expected to bring stability to a team that has had four full-time head coaches and two interims since Tom Coughlin resigned in 2016. As Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson noted, Harbaugh’s hiring is a significant move for the Giants, who are looking to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing season.
The Atlanta Falcons’ New Direction
The Atlanta Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, replacing Raheem Morris. Stefanski, who previously coached the Cleveland Browns, brings a strong offensive mind to the Falcons, and is expected to help the team develop their young talent. As new president of football Matt Ryan stated, "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." Stefanski’s hiring is seen as a positive move for the Falcons, who are looking to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing season.
The Green Bay Packers’ Commitment to Matt LaFleur
The Green Bay Packers have extended the contract of head coach Matt LaFleur, despite a five-game losing streak. LaFleur, who has a 76-40-1 record in seven seasons with the Packers, is seen as a key part of the team’s success, and the extension is a sign that the team is committed to him long-term. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, "The Packers won’t let one game — or a five-game losing streak — disrupt what has otherwise been an excellent run under LaFleur." The extension is also a sign that the team is willing to give LaFleur the time and resources he needs to turn the team around.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Search for a New Coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down, and have interviewed several candidates, including Anthony Weaver and Mike McCarthy. Tomlin, who had been with the Steelers for 19 seasons, stepped down after the team’s loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, "Tomlin isn’t looking to coach in 2026, and any team that wants to hire him before his contract runs out in 2027 will likely have to work out a trade with Pittsburgh." The Steelers are expected to take their time in finding a new coach, and will likely consider several candidates before making a decision.
Other Coaching Moves
In addition to the moves mentioned above, there have been several other coaching changes around the league. The Tennessee Titans have narrowed their search for a new head coach down to three finalists, including San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Cleveland Browns are working on conducting second interviews with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase for the head coach job. The Las Vegas Raiders have a busy week ahead, with four interviews scheduled over the next three days, including Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, Ejiro Evero, and Jeff Hafley. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, "The Raiders are looking for a coach who can bring a winning culture to the team, and they are considering several candidates who have experience in the NFL." The Philadelphia Eagles have requested to interview Bobby Slowik for their offensive coordinator opening, and the Miami Dolphins have completed an interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head coach opening. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, "The Dolphins are looking for a coach who can bring a strong offensive mind to the team, and Brady is seen as a top candidate for the job."
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