NFL Moves: Coaching Changes Shake Up the League
The 2025 NFL season is witnessing a wave of changes in the coaching staff. Several teams have decided to dismiss their head coaches, marking the beginning of new eras and strategies. The [Baltimore Ravens](/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens) topped the list by firing John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. Other teams like the [Arizona Cardinals](/nfl/team/_/name/ari/arizona-cardinals), [Las Vegas Raiders](/nfl/team/_/name/lv/las-vegas-raiders), [Cleveland Browns](/nfl/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-browns) and [Atlanta Falcons](/nfl/team/_/name/atl/atlanta-falcons) also made the decision to replace their coaches Jonathan Gannon, Pete Carroll, Kevin Stefanski and Raheem Morris, respectively, after Week 18. The [Tennessee Titans](/nfl/team/_/name/ten/tennessee-titans) and the [New York Giants](/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants) had already made changes at the beginning of the season. With this, at least five head coach changes are counted for 16 consecutive seasons.Detailed Analysis of the Teams
Baltimore Ravens
Former Coach: John Harbaugh (fired on January 6th).
What happened?: Harbaugh was fired as the Ravens’ coach, according to sources. His departure came two days after the Ravens lost to the Steelers, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Harbaugh had signed a three-year contract the previous offseason and was under contract through the 2028 season.
Harbaugh, 63, ranks 12th in all-time wins by a head coach in NFL history, with 193 victories, and led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2012. Having led the Ravens for 18 seasons, he was the second-longest tenured active coach in the league, behind Mike Tomlin, who is in his 19th season with the Steelers.Arizona Cardinals
Former Coach: Jonathan Gannon (fired on January 5th).
What happened?: The Cardinals fired Gannon after three seasons. Arizona finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record, leaving Gannon’s record at 15-36 in his three seasons as the team’s head coach. He never reached the playoffs or finished above third place in the NFC West. General Manager Monti Ossenfort will lead the search for a new head coach.
Advantages of the Arizona position: With healthy players, the Cardinals’ offense can be very effective and the defense can stop teams, as demonstrated in the Week 9 victory against the Cowboys. Arizona’s roster is packed with talented players like Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Josh Sweat, Walter Nolen III, and Budda Baker, a solid core for any coach.Disadvantages of the position in Arizona: Some of the injuries that decimated the team in 2025 could persist in the offseason and possibly beyond. In addition, you have to deal with an owner who cares too much about spending too many resources. Furthermore, the other three teams in the NFC West finished with double-digit wins this season.More information:
Will Kyler Murray follow Jonathan Gannon out of Arizona?Las Vegas Raiders
Former Coach: Pete Carroll (fired January 5).What happened?: Carroll’s era with the Raiders ended after only one year. The team fired the 74-year-old coach on Monday after the team finished 3-14 this season, which ended with a 14-12 victory over the Chiefs. Before the game, Las Vegas had lost 10 straight games and had already secured the number 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement that general manager John Spytek, who was hired along with Carroll last year, will lead football operations with minority owner Tom Brady, including the search for the team’s next coach.Advantages of the position in Las Vegas: The Raiders have 10 projected draft picks in 2026, including the number 1 pick. They have a significant amount of salary cap space, the second-most in the NFL, according to Roster Management System. And they have a couple of young stars on the team, such as tight end Brock Bowers and, potentially, running back Ashton Jeanty.Disadvantages of the position in Las Vegas: Stability. The Raiders are preparing to hire their fifth head coach since 2021. For any candidate, the question of whether the organization will have the patience for them to execute their vision should arise. At the same time, a new coach will have to deal with star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is seen as a leader of the organization, being the subject of trade talks.
More information:
Within the Raiders’ collapse in 2025, the influence of Tom Brady. What does Pete Carroll’s departure mean for the Raiders, Geno Smith?
Cleveland Browns
Former Coach: Kevin Stefanski (fired on January 5).
What happened?: The Browns fired Stefanski after six seasons, the team announced on Monday. They finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record, leading them to their second consecutive last-place finish in the AFC North and their fourth losing season with Stefanski. The team also announced that Andrew Berry, who came to Cleveland with Stefanski in 2020, will remain in his position as general manager.
Advantages of the position in Cleveland: The Browns have an elite defense, led by the 2025 sack champion Myles Garrett, which is ready to compete now. The offense is a work in progress, but the Browns will have two first-round picks and, in Berry’s words, “ample cap space” to spend this offseason.Disadvantages of the position in Cleveland: Despite the assets to make additions, there is no clear answer at the quarterback position: the new head coach will have the task of finding a solution. With the sixth pick, Cleveland could be out of reach of a top prospect. And there could be more growing pains with the Browns needing to replace up to four starting offensive linemen this offseason.More information:
The Browns’ general manager says the new coach will have a say in the 2026 quarterback decision. What’s next for the Browns after firing Stefanski?Atlanta Falcons
Former Coach: Raheem Morris (fired on January 4th).
What happened?: The Falcons fired Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after two disappointing consecutive seasons, according to sources. Their departures came hours after Atlanta finished an 8-9 season with a 19-17 victory over the Saints. Fontenot had been with the Falcons since 2021; Morris was hired in 2024.
Advantages of the Atlanta position: There is a lot of young talent to build with. Running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London are stars on offense. Four of the team’s top five sack producers this season (rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison) are 24 years old or younger. Rookie safety Xavier Watts, 24, had five interceptions this season.Disadvantages of the position in Atlanta: The quarterback situation with Michael Penix Jr. out due to a left ACL tear is constantly changing. He will likely miss at least part of training camp, if not more. The Falcons also don’t have a first-round pick or much cap space to make many significant moves this offseason.More information:
What’s next for the Falcons after firing Morris and Fontenot?
New York Giants
Former Coach: Brian Daboll (fired on November 10).Interim Coach: Mike Kafka
What happened?: The Giants fired Daboll after the team squandered another double-digit lead against Chicago in Week 10. Daboll won the Coach of the Year award in 2022 in his first season with the Giants, when they surprisingly finished 9-7-1 and won a playoff game in Minnesota. The Giants won only two of their first 10 games for the third consecutive time in 2025.
Advantages of the position in New York: The Giants are still considered a prominent franchise playing in the largest market. That can be attractive to candidates. They also have a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, who accounted for 24 total touchdowns and seven turnovers as a rookie. The roster has some basic elements with a number 1 receiver (Malik Nabers), a standout left tackle (Andrew Thomas), and elite running backs.Disadvantages of the position in New York: The roster still has many flaws and holes. Depth is a concern. It may also be the organization’s structure and ownership. There is uncertainty with the health of owner John Mara, who was diagnosed with cancer. The Giants also chose to bring back general manager Joe Schoen despite a 13-38 record in the last three seasons.More information:
The fall of the Brian Daboll era in New York.Tennessee Titans
Former Coach: Brian Callahan (fired on October 13).Interim Coach: Mike McCoy
What happened?: The Titans fired Callahan just six games into his second season as the team’s head coach. He finished with a 4-19 record as the Titans’ coach, including 1-5 this season with the 2025 No. 1 pick, Cam Ward, as the team’s starting quarterback.
Advantages of the position in Tennessee: The Titans have the most cap space in 2026 and the number 4 overall pick. They have Ward, who improved monumentally in the last five games of his rookie season. Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons also just had the best season (11 sacks) of his career.Disadvantages of the position in Tennessee: Aside from Ward and Simmons, the roster doesn’t include many game-changing players on either side of the ball. The Titans have multiple holes to fill at premium positions like cornerback, wide receiver, and pass rusher. Then, there’s the instability of recent years. Since 2022, Tennessee has fired a general manager or head coach every year.More information:
General manager Mike Borgonzi says the Titans must eliminate the Chiefs bias from the head coaching search. What does Callahan’s firing mean for Ward, 1-5 Titans?
