NFL coaches fired this year keep piling up—7 head coaches out in massive 2026 coaching carousel

The 2026 NFL coaching carousel has reached epic proportions as seven head coaches now find themselves out of work following the most dramatic coaching upheaval in recent memory. From the shocking firing of John Harbaugh after 18 seasons in Baltimore to the dismissal of Mike McDaniel in Miami, teams across the league are making sweeping changes to their head coaching positions.

NFL Coaches Fired This Year Keep Piling Up at Record Pace

The 2026 coaching carousel has already created seven vacancies, matching the total number of typical offseason changes that occur in the NFL. Early Monday brought four major firings at once, with Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals), Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders), Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns), and Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons) all getting let go within hours of the regular season’s conclusion.

Just two days later, the Baltimore Ravens announced they were parting ways with John Harbaugh, sending shockwaves through the entire league. Harbaugh’s departure was particularly stunning given his 18 years of service and status as one of the NFL’s most respected coaches. The Ravens’ decision came after missing the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion, losing 26-24 to Pittsburgh on a missed field goal in the final seconds of the regular season.

Then on January 8, 2026, the Miami Dolphins became the seventh team to make a change, firing Mike McDaniel after just four seasons. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross stated he wanted to pursue a comprehensive change for the organization.

Why Are Teams Making These Dramatic Coaching Changes?

Each firing tells a different story about organizational dysfunction and unmet expectations. Kevin Stefanski drew criticism from the Browns organization for constructing a bottom-three offense in multiple major statistical categories over two consecutive seasons, making the team’s decision to retain general manager Andrew Berry while firing the coach particularly notable.

Mike McDaniel‘s dismissal followed two consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs and playoff contention despite having star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the roster. The Dolphins finished with a disappointing 7-10 record in 2025 after also missing the previous year’s playoffs, prompting the organization to seek new leadership.

John Harbaugh‘s firing proved especially controversial because reports suggested the Ravens’ front office felt the coach had lost the locker room, particularly with star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite signing a contract extension just last March, Harbaugh’s inability to guide the Ravens to the playoffs after years of consistent postseason appearances sealed his fate in Baltimore.

Head Coaches Out in 2026 and Their Tenure Details

Coach Name	Team	Seasons	Final Record
John Harbaugh	Baltimore Ravens	18	11-6 (Missed Playoffs)
Mike McDaniel	Miami Dolphins	4	7-10
Kevin Stefanski	Cleveland Browns	3	Bottom-3 Offense
Jonathan Gannon	Arizona Cardinals	2	Playoff Miss

Premium Coaching Openings and the Hunt for Top Candidates

The seven open positions have created an unprecedented buyer’s market for teams seeking new leadership. John Harbaugh, despite being fired in Baltimore, immediately became one of the most coveted candidates given his proven playoff success and championship pedigree. Brian Flores, currently the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, emerged as another top target alongside Robert Saleh, the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

The New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens are considered to have the most attractive coaching openings, with established quarterbacks and solid rosters already in place. The Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys present different challenges but still carry significant appeal to candidates seeking to build winning organizations.

The Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons round out the seven vacancies, each bringing unique circumstances and organizational dynamics to potential coaching candidates.

How Will This Historic Coaching Carousel Reshape the NFL Landscape?

The sudden removal of experienced veterans like John Harbaugh and the departure of Mike McDaniel signal a significant reset across the league’s coaching ranks. Teams are clearly prioritizing fresh perspectives and organizational alignment, even at the cost of established veteran coaches with proven track records. This purge could reshape playoff contention for the next several years as new coaching hires implement their systems.

The 2026 NFL coaching carousel will ultimately determine whether teams find the leadership necessary to return to contention or whether they’ve made hasty decisions they’ll regret. The abundance of options also means established coaches like John Harbaugh will likely find premier opportunities quickly, while first-time head coaches will face elevated pressure to immediately prove themselves in what promises to be an intensely competitive hiring process.

“There’s a clear signal being sent by NFL organizations that complacency won’t be tolerated, especially when playoff expectations exist.”

— Nate Davis, USA Today Sports Columnist

Sources

• ESPN – Latest coaching updates and transaction reporting on all head coach firings
• The Athletic/New York Times – Analysis of coaching changes and organizational decisions across the league
• USA Today – Rankings and evaluation of the seven open head coaching positions