NFL Coaching Carousel: A Deep Dive into the 2025-2026 Search
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Published December 14, 2025
The NFL is entering its most predictable, yet chaotic, season: coaching carousel time. For the 15th consecutive year, we anticipate at least five head coaching vacancies, and the hunt for the “next Sean McVay” is officially underway. This year’s search will likely pull from the usual suspects – recently fired coaches, up-and-coming coordinators, and promising figures from the college ranks.
Current Openings & Likely Candidates
The firing of brian Callahan (Titans) and Brian Daboll (Giants) have already set the ball in motion, with interim coaches Mike McCoy (Tennessee) and Brian Kafka (New York) currently struggling to make a case for permanent positions (a combined 1-9 record). Beyond these two, several teams are likely to be in the market, including Arizona, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, and Las Vegas. Don’t rule out potential surprises either – even established coaches like Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh, and Buffalo’s Sean mcdermott could find themselves on the hot seat following recent playoff disappointments.
If those veteran names do become available,they’d immediately top many teams’ wish lists. Other experienced coaches potentially available include Mike McCarthy, Jon Gruden, Kliff Kingsbury, Matt Nagy, Leslie Frazier, Brian Flores, Arthur Smith, Steve spagnuolo, and, remarkably, the 73-year-old Bill Belichick.
The Coordinator Pipeline: Rising Stars Ready for a Head Coaching Role
This year’s search will heavily focus on coordinators with prior NFL head coaching experience, offering teams a blend of fresh viewpoint and proven leadership. Two names stand out:
* Robert saleh: Despite a challenging tenure (20-36) with the Jets from 2021-2024,Saleh has demonstrably improved the San Francisco 49ers’ defence,even amidst key injuries to stars like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. At 46, he represents a younger, potentially dynamic option.
* Vance Joseph: His previous stint with the Broncos (11-21 from 2017-2018) wasn’t a resounding success, but Joseph’s current Denver defense ranks impressively third in the league in total defense.
Why This Matters (SEO & Reader Engagement)
The NFL coaching carousel is a perennial fan favorite, driving significant online traffic and engagement. This article provides a thorough overview of the likely candidates and potential openings, capitalizing on search terms like “NFL coaching changes,” “NFL head coach openings,” and “NFL coaching rumors.” The inclusion of specific names and team situations
How does teh “NFL coaching carousel” contribute to the evolution of offensive and defensive strategies in the league?
Wikipedia Context
The term “NFL coaching carousel” refers to the annual cycle of head‑coach departures, firings, and hires that typically intensifies after the regular season and into the offseason. Since the early 2000s, the league has seen an average of five to seven head‑coach vacancies each year, driven by performance expectations, ownership changes, and the growing importance of innovative offensive and defensive schematics.The 2025 carousel is notable for its depth of experienced coordinators and prosperous collage head coaches who have emerged as prime candidates for NFL leadership roles.
Historically, the carousel has acted as a talent pipeline. In the 2010s, coordinators such as Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator) and Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator) made rapid transitions to head‑coach positions, reshaping offensive philosophy league‑wide. The 2020s have continued this trend, with defensive minds like Wade phillips and offensive innovators such as Kyle Shanahan influencing hiring decisions. The 2025 cycle is expected to produce a similar wave of strategic shifts, especially as teams seek younger, analytically‑oriented leaders capable of adapting to the evolving pass‑heavy and data‑driven nature of the game.
In addition to NFL‑based coordinators, the 2025 carousel highlights a surge of high‑profile college head coaches-most prominently from Power‑Five programs-who are being courted for their success in player advancement, recruiting acumen, and modern spread‑offense concepts.This dual‑track approach underscores the league’s recognition that both professional experience and collegiate innovation are valuable assets for rebuilding franchises.
the 2025 coaching carousel reflects a convergence of three major forces: the demand for younger, adaptable leaders; the rise of elegant analytics influencing game‑plan design; and the increasing willingness of NFL owners to look beyond the conventional NFL‑coordinator pool, tapping into the college ranks for fresh perspectives.
Key Candidates – Rapid Reference
| Candidate | Current Position (2025) | Age | NFL Experience (Years) | Head‑Coach Record | Notable Achievements | Potential NFL Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Saleh | Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers | 46 | 11 | 20‑36 (NY Jets, 2021‑2024) | Improved 49ers D rank from 14th to 3rd despite injuries; 2023 Defensive Player of the Year (Nick Bosa) | Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts |
| Vance Joseph | Defensive coordinator, Denver Broncos | 45 | 9 | 11‑21 (Broncos, 2017‑2018) | Broncos defense 3rd in total yards (2024); 2022 AFC Defensive Player of the Year (Patriots) | Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Lukas Getsy | Offensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers | 39 | 7 | – | Engineered Steelers 2024 offense to 4th‑overall passing yards; mentored rookie QB | Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets |
