This was one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory, with ten teams making head coaching changes since the 2025-26 NFL regular season ended. With so many marquee names in new places, I review each selection and tell you if I loved it, liked it, or hated it.
Arizona Cardinals - Mike LaFleur
I Hate It
I really don't think Mike LaFleur has been all that impressive as an offensive coordinator. He stunk when he was with the Jets in 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, he was never responsible for calling plays for the Rams. So what can he take credit for doing? He was the second-to-last head coach hired during this cycle, and arguably the least impressive person in the group. If it weren't for the Cleveland Browns, this would be the worst decision made during the 2026 NFL head coaching cycle. If he weren't Matt LaFleur's brother, he probably would be just another no-name OC. However, working for Sean McVay will always be grounds to make somebody a head coach, apparently.
Atlanta Falcons - Kevin Stefanski
I Like It
Kevin Stefanski got a raw deal in Cleveland. He was forced to take on Deshaun Watson as his quarterback, even though he reportedly didn't want to move on from Baker Mayfield. That sole decision basically caused the Browns’ recent demise. Since that trade was completed, four different players have led Cleveland in pass attempts, and none of them have been Deshaun Watson. Now, Stefanski gets a chance to start over with the Atlanta Falcons, who actually have a competent owner and talented players all over the roster. Think about it this way: if Kevin Stefanski can lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs twice in six years, just imagine what he can do with a semi-competent franchise!
Baltimore Ravens - Jesse Minter
I Like It
He's only been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for two seasons, but he has been excellent during that stretch. The Chargers' defense has been playing at an elite level the last two years. In 2024, their defense ranked in the top ten in the league in points (first), rushing touchdowns (first), passing yards (seventh), and interceptions (eighth). This year, that unit was even better. They were top ten in the following categories:
Yards, fifth
Points, ninth
Takeaways, seventh
Rushing yards, eighth
Passing yards, fifth
Passing touchdowns, third
Interceptions, third
Minter will have the Ravens' defense playing how they did in 2023, when they were first in points allowed (16.5 per game) and tied for first in takeaways (31). And as long as Lamar Jackson is healthy, Baltimore is positioned to be competitive for years to come.
Buffalo Bills - Joe Brady
I Hate It
What has been the knock on the Bills during the Josh Allen era? They can't get past the AFC Championship Game and have seemingly plateaued. Hell, even owner Terry Pegula told reporters that he felt like Buffalo had "hit the proverbial playoff wall year after year." So, how do the Bills plan on remedying this problem? They're going to make their offensive coordinator their team's next head coach... even though the owner just said that the previous regime had failed to meet expectations in the playoffs. How does making the offensive playcaller from the coaching staff that just failed you make the Bills any better? This is a lateral move, not one that will make Buffalo better.
Cleveland Browns - Todd Monken
I Hate It
This is the most uninspired hire on this list. Monken is a 60-year-old man who has never been a head coach at the NFL level, and now he’s expected to be the guy who turns around the Cleveland freakin Browns. That is not happening. They also lost their defensive coordinator, who clearly believed he was going to be named the Browns' head coach. Even when they have an opportunity to land a promising, young offensive coordinator to be their next head coach, the Browns find a way to blow it because they want to force Jim Schwartz onto the new head coach. Now, Cleveland lost Schwartz and is stuck with a head coach who will likely be fired in two to three years. This was the worst hire of the 2026 NFL head coaching cycle.
Las Vegas Raiders - Klint Kubiak
I Like It
When you consider he's only 38 years old, you realize that Klint Kubiak has been coaching football at the highest level since he was 23. Also, he has worked with some of the best football minds in the NFL during that time, including Mike Zimmer, Kevin O'Connell, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Macdonald, and, of course, his father, Gary Kubiak. This is the type of hire that the NFL is fueled by nowadays. You find a young, hot-shot offensive coordinator, you make him your head coach, and then you pair him with a young quarterback on a rookie contract. The Raiders will not be good right away since the team is devoid of talent in the trenches, but we should have faith that Kubiak is the right coach to mold the expected number-one overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, into a reliable NFL quarterback. After all, he was able to turn Sam Darnold into a Super Bowl champion.
Miami Dolphins - Jeff Hafley
I Like It
This is the most interesting hire from the 2026 head coaching cycle. When you look at the product he put on the field as a defensive coordinator, it leaves you wanting a little bit more. But when you hear him speak, you can tell that this guy has a passion for football, coaching, and people.
"As we piece this thing together, it's going to take time, and there's going to be a lot of hard work, but then it's going to be built the right way, like the foundation that was laid for me when I was coaching Division III football, and I learned how to do things the right way. That's how we're going to do it here with a staff that's going to buy in and with a group of men that are going to give everything that they got. And I can look you guys in the eye and tell you, I cannot wait to get started."
That was what Hafley said during his introductory press conference. After Dolphins fans heard him say that, their tune quickly shifted from, "Who is this guy?" to "This IS the guy." He's an okay defensive coordinator, but an excellent leader, and that's what you look for in a head coach.
New York Giants - John Harbaugh
I Love It
I said I loved this hire previously when it was first reported that Harbaugh was taking the job. He's not just a proven winner, but he's also a guy who has shown he can adapt to an ever-changing league and cater to the guys on his roster. Remember, this was a guy who was able to win with both Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson. This was a home run for the Giants. On paper, they will surely show signs of immediate improvement, but they're going to have to actually execute on the field. Harbaugh's first task will be teaching Jaxson Dart to run more safely, like how Lamar Jackson does, because concussions are already a concern for the young QB. If he can ingrain the importance of sliding into Dart's head, everything else should fall into place when the season starts, and the Giants will be competitive.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike McCarthy
I Hate It
The Steelers' problem for the last nine years is that they haven't been able to win a playoff game. So their solution is to fire their head coach and hire a guy who has struggled to win playoff games? I'll always have respect for Mike McCarthy because he led my favorite team to a Super Bowl, but that was 15 years ago! During his tenure with the Cowboys, he won just one playoff game. Similar to the Bills, this is a lateral move. I don't see how Mike McCarthy is an improvement over Mike Tomlin. I get that the Steelers needed to make a change, but it feels like they hired McCarthy because he's won a Super Bowl and is a Pittsburgh native. They didn't actually go out and find the person who shows the most promise as a head coach. They made a “safe” pick, and that could end up being disastrous for a team that expects to compete for championships every year.
Tennessee Titans - Robert Saleh
I Like It
Some people will rag on this choice because he "failed” as a head coach the first time he got one of these opportunities. But we also have to remember that he was hired by the New York Jets. After going through growing pains his first season, he actually had the Jets playing at a somewhat competitive level in 2022 and 2023, and Zach Wilson started most of the Jets’ games during that stretch! Will he end up leading the Titans to the Super Bowl? Probably not. However, we can guarantee that Tennessee will be better next year. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, the Titans are 6-28 overall, giving them the lowest winning percentage in the NFL (.176). With Robert Saleh leading the charge and a good offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll, I wouldn't be surprised if Tennessee matched that win total next season. At the very least, the Titans’ defense will play at a higher level after finishing 28th in points allowed per game this year (28.1).
