The NFL regular season has come to an end. As Black Sunday and Monday approach, we'll find out which coaches won't be returning for the 2026 season.
The first casualties of the week were Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. both were fired on Sunday after the Falcons finished the season 8–9.
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Two head coaches, Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans and Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, lost their jobs during the season. Another whose status could be in question is Shane Steichen of Indianapolis. will reportedly return next seasonalong with general manager Chris Ballard.
Here are other names to watch this week, as well as the latest news. coaching news updates.
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Recording with the command: 3-14, first season
Why he might be fired: Carroll was supposed to bring stability to the franchise, but under the leadership of the 74-year-old former Super Bowl winner, the team suffered more losses. The Raiders haven't won since Week 6, the offseason trade for Carroll's preferred QB Geno Smith didn't produce much results, the offensive and special teams coordinators were fired in November, and now there's dispute with Max Crosby over star pass rusher being placed on injured reserve. None of this reflects well on Carroll, who may be trying to fix a franchise where the rot runs much deeper (and higher).
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Why it may be safe: There was a reason Carroll was hired. He has nearly 40 games over .500 in his NFL career, and that includes this season's fiasco. Besides, Mark Davis has paid a lot of money to failed coaches over the past few years, and he may not want to shell out the cash for Carroll either. However, it's hard to find a compelling reason to stick with Carroll given his age and the Raiders' need to reboot their entire organization.
Pete Carroll may have coached his first and only season with the Raiders. (Photo by Jan Maul/Getty Images)
(Ian Mol via Getty Images)
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Recording with the command: 46–58 (including playoffs), sixth season
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Why he might be fired: The Browns suffered their fourth loss in six years under Stefanski and also had a top-seven draft pick for the second year in a row. The disastrous Deshaun Watson trade lies partly on Stefanski, who hired him in the spring of 2022, and for all of Stefanski's offensive acumen, none of the 13(!) quarterbacks who started under him have proven to be a long-term solution.
Why it may be safe: Stefanski has accomplished a lot with limited talent, especially on offense, and owner Jimmy Haslam may give him a chance to truly develop a well-rounded QB. Stefanski has also made the playoffs twice and remains consistent, win or lose. He's a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, which doesn't mean it's going to be an attractive job for the top candidates this cycle.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Recording with the command: 15-36, third season
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Why he might be fired: Gannon was hired in part to tighten up Arizona's defense, but that didn't really happen. This year's team ranks 26th in EPA in plays allowed, 27th in plays allowed and overall hasn't taken a step forward despite 17 of Gannon's 28 draft picks landing on that side of the ball, including six of seven last spring. It's hard to say that the Cardinals are clearly better than they were when they hired Gannon.
Why it may be safe: Kyler Murray is the biggest question mark remaining for the franchise, and Gannon might benefit more if he is a better QB. Perhaps team owner Michael Bidwill will give him a chance to prove it. During their first two seasons, the Cardinals were truly on an upward trajectory.
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Recording with the command: 35–35 (including playoffs), fourth season
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Why he might be fired: The story of the McDaniel era (so far) begins with a bang and ends on both the micro and macro levels. He made the playoffs in his first two seasons (including the holy 70 burger against the Broncos), but lost six of his last seven in 2022 and four of his last six in 2023. players are reportedly losing defensive coordinator Vic Fangiowho won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season) suggest McDaniel doesn't have much control over the locker room.
Why it may be safe: Tua Tagovailoa's limitations and concussion issues have limited the Dolphins, and if they don't bring him back next season, the salary cap will be so high that team owner Stephen Ross may decide it's worth keeping McDaniel for another year to get out from under him.
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Recording with the command: 3-14, first season
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Why he might be fired: The Jets are largely uncompetitive, and that's not what anyone expected from Glenn's first season. He's earned respect over the past few seasons as a Pro Bowl player and Lions defensive coordinator, but the Jets defense has regressed, the quarterback play has been poor, and the team The Jets sold well at the trade deadline.. Justin Fields was benched in November and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired in December. There aren't many heads to roll here.
Why it may be safe: At league meetings in October, team owner Woody Johnson stated candidly that The Jets' problems were with the QB, not Glenn.. This is a big deal and Johnson's position has reportedly not changed. The Jets also have five first-round picks in the next two drafts, and Glenn has ample opportunity to reshape the franchise in his image.
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Recording with the command: 193–124 (including playoffs), Season 18
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Why he might be fired: The Ravens have been surprisingly mediocre this season, and that can't be attributed solely to Lamar Jackson's injuries. Their defense has fluctuated between downright bad and competent, and some of Harbaugh's in-game decisions have drawn scrutiny. Harbaugh failed to return to the Super Bowl with the two-time MVP quarterback in Jackson, and there is general agreement that a breath of fresh air at the head coaching position could benefit the Ravens.
Why it may be safe: This is only Harbaugh's third losing season, and the stability he brings to the organization is valuable. If he doesn't come back, it won't be because he became a bad coach overnight.
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Recording with the command: 36-36, season four
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Why he might be fired: Despite Saturday's win over the PanthersSunday's loss to the Saints blocked the Bucs from the postseason. Entering Week 18, Bowles' Buccaneers have lost seven of eight. The decline came as they became healthier, which was confusing. There have been some tough losses, and for a coach without a distinguished career record, there may be no reason to believe things will be much better in the 2026 season.
Why it may be safe: Bowles was on the verge of his fourth straight division title, albeit in a mediocre NFC South division. For the first time during Bowles' tenure with Tampa, the Bucs did not make the postseason.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Recording with the command: 57-65-1, seventh season
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Why he might be fired: The Bengals missed the playoffs three straight seasons during Joe Burrow's prime. Some of this can be attributed to Burrow's injuries, but the Bengals' inability to protect Burrow contributed to his injuries. And Burrow's team, especially the defense, hasn't been very good for several years. Burrow said earlier this season that he wasn't having fun, and while he didn't put that on Taylor, the Bengals need to figure out what changes need to be made to keep Burrow happy.
Why it may be safe: One Super Bowl appearance weighs heavily on Taylor's resume. This happened in the 2021 season. This established the Bengals' reputation as annual AFC contenders if Burrow could stay healthy. Besides, this is the Bengals, and they won't want to pay anyone anymore who doesn't coach them.
Live NFL Coaching News Blog
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Falcons owner Arthur Blank released a statement after the team parted ways with Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot:
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Atlanta Falcons open fire head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot coming off an 8–9 season despite ending with a 4-game winning streak.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Pete Carroll doesn't seem like a guy ready to retire even after a rough first season with the Raiders.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington commandersHow many of these teams will have a new head coach in April?
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Yahoo Sports Staff
“Don’t blame Flux for all of this,” Jones said. according to John Machota of The Athletic. “It took five or six years to get here… I can’t prove to you that we didn’t have a satisfactory defense for five or six years, really.”
Has Jones' opinion changed since the Cowboys got burned again in Sunday's loss to the Giants?
We'll find out in the coming days.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Will Kevin Stefanski return to Cleveland?
He would have been if one of his best defenders had had his say.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Colts owner Carly Irsay-Gordon's first big move won't be made this offseason.
Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will return to the Colts. for the NFL Network. Indianapolis exited the playoffs with an 8–2 record and became the first team in NFL history to go from six games above .500 to a losing record at any one time. according to ESPN research — but Irsay-Gordon appears to place the blame on a late-season injury to starting quarterback Daniel Jones, as well as serious injuries to prized midseason acquisition Sauce Gardner and others as the season wound down.
Steichen went 25-26 in three seasons and missed the playoffs, but the Colts showed plenty of promise in the first half of the season before the injuries, especially on offense. That appears to have given him and Ballard another year.
Shane Steichen will reportedly return as head coach of the Colts. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
(Associated Press)
