The 2025 NFL offseason has delivered one of the most dramatic coaching carousels in league history.
Front offices across the league are making bold moves to fix struggling teams and chase Super Bowl dreams. From legendary coaches stepping down to coordinators getting their first shots at the big chair, the sideline shakeups have been relentless.
The moves signal a new era for multiple franchises desperate for change. With five head coaching positions still open and coordinator changes happening daily, the NFL landscape looks completely different from what it did months ago.
Let’s dive into the biggest moves shaking up the league.
Historic Turnover Marks the 2025 Coaching Cycle
This offseason has matched the most head coaching changes ever recorded in NFL history.
The 10 head coaching moves during the 2026 offseason tie the all-time record set in 1978, 1997, 2006, and 2022. This marks 16 consecutive seasons with at least five head coaching changes. The turnover shows how quickly patience runs thin in today’s NFL.
Teams are no longer willing to wait three or four years for results to materialize around the league. Owners want instant success and are willing to make drastic changes to achieve it. The pressure to win now has never been more intense across all 32 franchises.
John Harbaugh Leaves Baltimore for New York
The Giants landed one of the biggest names available by hiring former Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh ended his long tenure in Baltimore to take over a struggling Giants franchise that desperately needs leadership. New York offered him a five-year contract worth approximately 100 million dollars to restore their winning culture. The hire represents a massive statement move by the Giants organization.
Harbaugh brings a championship pedigree and a proven track record of developing quarterbacks to his new role. The Giants are banking on his ability to turn around a franchise that has won just two games in their first 10 contests for three consecutive years. His hiring gives New York credibility and hope for a brighter future ahead.
Kevin Stefanski Takes Over in Atlanta
The Falcons moved quickly to hire former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as their new leader.
Atlanta fired Raheem Morris after back-to-back 8-9 seasons that left the team outside the playoff picture once again. Stefanski brings offensive expertise and a track record of winning to a talented Falcons roster that underachieved. The franchise hopes he can finally unlock the potential of their offensive weapons.
The Falcons also brought in franchise legend Matt Ryan as their new president of football operations. Ryan will oversee all aspects of football operations and ensure alignment across the entire organization. This dual hire signals Atlanta’s commitment to building a sustainable winning culture going forward.
Jesse Minter Steps Into Baltimore’s Spotlight
Baltimore replaced Harbaugh by hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Minter has strong ties to the Harbaugh family after serving as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Michigan and with the Chargers. He also worked as a defensive assistant under John Harbaugh in Baltimore from 2017 to 2020. His familiarity with Ravens culture made him an ideal candidate.
The Ravens believe Minter can fix their defensive struggles that plagued them over the past two seasons. He receives a five-year contract to build his own identity while maintaining Baltimore’s winning tradition. Minter becomes one of the youngest head coaches in the league at this pivotal moment.
Miami Brings in Jeff Hafley
The Dolphins hired Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to replace Mike McDaniel.
Hafley joins new general manager Jon Eric Sullivan, with both men overlapping for two seasons together in Green Bay previously. Miami’s defense needs a major overhaul after struggling to stop opponents throughout the 2025 campaign. Hafley’s unit ranked ninth in yards allowed per game during his tenure with the Packers.
Sullivan and Hafley will work together to rebuild a Dolphins team that has underperformed despite having talented players. The organization believes Hafley’s college head coaching experience at Boston College gives him unique qualifications for the job. His ability to develop defensive backs should help Miami’s struggling secondary improve significantly.
Mike Tomlin’s Shocking Exit from Pittsburgh
The Steelers parted ways with Mike Tomlin after an unprecedented 19-year run as head coach.
Tomlin never had a losing season in Pittsburgh and won a Super Bowl in his second year back in 2008. However, the team’s inability to win playoff games despite three straight 10-win seasons led to his departure. His stepping down rather than being fired means Pittsburgh retains his coaching rights through 2026.
Tomlin is reportedly considering a move to television rather than immediately jumping to another coaching opportunity. His decision to step away shocked the football world and left one of the league’s most stable franchises searching for answers. Any team wanting to hire him would need to trade with Pittsburgh for his services.
Bills Fire McDermott Despite Playoff Success
Buffalo made a shocking move by dismissing Sean McDermott after seven consecutive playoff appearances.
McDermott compiled a 98-50 regular season record since being hired in 2017 but could never get the Bills over the Super Bowl hump. The organization felt pressure to maximize quarterback Josh Allen’s prime years before his championship window closes. Firing a successful coach shows how high expectations have become in Buffalo.
The Bills’ job comes with immediate Super Bowl pressure because Allen will be 30 years old next season. Any new coach will be expected to compete for championships right away or face swift criticism from fans and media. The roster has flaws around Allen that need addressing to make a deep playoff run realistic.
Five Teams Still Searching for Answers
The coaching carousel continues to spin with Buffalo, Arizona, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh still looking.
The Bills, Cardinals, Raiders, Browns, and Steelers are all conducting extensive searches to find their next leaders. Each job offers unique challenges, from quarterback uncertainty to organizational instability, which complicates the hiring process. Candidates are weighing their options carefully before committing to these openings.
The Raiders hold the number one overall pick and significant cap space, but have hired five coaches since 2021. Cleveland faces questions about their front office stability and quarterback situation with Deshaun Watson under contract. These factors make some openings more attractive than others for top candidates evaluating their futures.
TL;DR
- The 2026 NFL offseason has seen 10 head coaching changes, tying the all-time record.
- John Harbaugh left Baltimore for the Giants, while Jesse Minter replaced him with the Ravens.
- Kevin Stefanski joined Atlanta, Jeff Hafley went to Miami, and Mike Tomlin left Pittsburgh after 19 years.
- Major coordinator changes include Kellen Moore becoming the New Orleans head coach and Matt Eberflus being fired in Dallas.
- Five teams still have open head coaching positions, including Buffalo, Arizona, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
