NFL head coaching carousel intel, latest Week 18 buzz, news

As we get set for the final weekend of 2025 NFL regular-season games, the handful of remaining playoff races will get most of the attention. But the annual coaching carousel is also on deck, and we could see a lot of movement there as teams hit the offseason.

Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been calling sources around the NFL for the latest news and buzz on key coaching situations heading into Week 18. Are there any updates on the open Giants and Titans spots? Which other coaching gigs could come open in the next few days? Who are the top candidates to get hired — from both inside and outside the NFL?

Jeremy and Dan poked around for the latest there, and they even broke down a few general manager hot seats around the league. It’s all here, as our national reporters answer big questions and empty their notebooks heading into Week 18.

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Potential openings | Top candidates
Outside options | GM hot seats
More notes on Week 18

What are you hearing on potential jobs that could come open over the next seven days?

Graziano: My sense is that a lot of people are watching Las Vegas for the potential that Pete Carroll is one-and-done with the Raiders. This season has gone quite poorly, and they seem to be positioning themselves for the No. 1 draft pick, so the theory is they might want someone else around to develop that selection if it’s a quarterback.

Atlanta still seems like a spot to watch, given how far short of expectations the Falcons have fallen with Raheem Morris. I’m hearing conflicting things on Miami; for a while it sounded as if Mike McDaniel was a good bet to stay, but lately the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that, so we’ll see where that lands. Cleveland is a spot people are keeping an eye on, with the idea that Kevin Stefanski could be a head coach candidate elsewhere if the Browns do move on. And some are wondering what Tampa Bay might do if the Bucs don’t win Sunday to salvage their season. Otherwise … I’m not sure. What do you think about Arizona?

Fowler: That one is complicated, because some within the coaching staff are cautiously optimistic that Jonathan Gannon will get a fourth year, and some within the coaching industry see a path to Gannon potentially staying. Owner Michael Bidwill likes Gannon and can attribute the rough season to injuries and the lack of a hand-picked quarterback for the head coach. The flip side is Arizona is so far away from the other three teams in the NFC West and simply isn’t competitive right now.

On the Bucs, Todd Bowles’ buyout would be hefty after the team extended his contract through 2028, and the team doesn’t seem overly eager to pay that. Bailing on Bowles would be the Bucs’ way of embracing a rebuild. But someone will have to pay if they lose to Carolina. Staff changes are not off the table either way.

We’re in the same spot on the other jobs you mentioned, and Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor appears to be safe. Morris has helped himself a bit over the past three games, but I’m not sure it’s enough. That leaves us with the surprise category. I can’t help but envision teams with current or future openings watching the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game wondering whether John Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin could somehow become available. That’s not my expectation, to be sure, but the chatter won’t quite dissipate.

Graziano: That chatter is out there, but I’ve heard nothing from inside either building to indicate either team is contemplating a change. Most of the speculation seems to stem from fan discontent, and neither the Steelers nor the Ravens are the type of organization to make compulsive decisions based on fan discontent.

That said, one of those teams is going to miss the playoffs and the other is going to be the weakest team in the AFC playoff field. The Ravens had the very highest of hopes for this season, and the Steelers always expect to contend. So there will be disappointment to be addressed in both places. Count me among those who would be extremely surprised if Tomlin and Harbaugh aren’t back in their current jobs next season. But I don’t believe either organization has had real conversations yet about the future of their respective coaches.

Fowler: Harbaugh has three years left on his contract, so I don’t anticipate him initiating an exit. But there is at least some intrigue leaguewide about whether Harbaugh and owner Steve Bisciotti could have big-picture talks about the future at some point. In other words, I’m not totally getting shut out when I knock on those doors. It’s also noteworthy that Harbaugh’s mentor is Andy Reid, who had a successful second stint in the NFL when he left Philadelphia. Perhaps that blueprint is not lost on Harbaugh. It could be nothing, but Sunday’s game is intriguing beyond the score.

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Graziano: If Tomlin or Harbaugh were cut loose, either would certainly top the wish list of just about any team with an opening. But if not, what do you think about the chances of someone such as Stefanski or McDaniel latching on quickly with another team as head coach if they’re let go in Cleveland or Miami, respectively? If the Browns are of a mind to make a move, is it possible they could look to work out a trade that sends Stefanski elsewhere, since he has years left on his deal? I’m just trying to spitball out-of-the-ordinary scenarios here.

Fowler: Stefanski might be the strongest retread candidate in the eyes of many. The Giants would be an ideal fit. And trades of any kind are never off the table in Cleveland, but it’d be tricky trying to trade a coach who’s 7-26 over the past two years. And here’s something funny: My sense is that McDaniel would be a candidate in Cleveland, should the Dolphins move on and Cleveland’s job open. He still has some support in Miami. We will see if that’s enough. He has made a case to stay. From what I’ve gathered, the Dolphins’ GM search won’t necessarily be centered around fitting with McDaniel; it’s more so about finding the best team fit in general.

One more: Some folks around the league have wondered to me whether Bills ownership might grow impatient with Sean McDermott if Buffalo doesn’t make a playoff run in a year Patrick Mahomes is out of the postseason.

Which candidate do you believe most strongly will get a head coaching job this cycle?

Fowler: There are several options here. The field is as wide open as I can remember. It’s missing the proverbial golden goose, eliciting several different answers from industry sources over the past few weeks. Former or recently fired head coaches could be happy with this cycle, and interview quality will absolutely matter. But I’ll go with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He’s part of the cluster of strong defensive-minded candidates this cycle. He seems to have some traction in New York, too. I’ve heard his name linked to the Giants job a few times in my calls over the past week, and I expect him to be on their list. Hafley is also a geographical fit as a Montvale, New Jersey, native.

Graziano: The name that jumped to my mind is Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who I believe will be on a lot of lists. That Sean McVay pixie dust has been the key for a lot of guys getting their first head coaching shot, and Shula could be next. I could see him being of interest in Tennessee if he brings the right offensive coordinator with him for quarterback Cam Ward’s development. I also think Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will get another shot, with Miami and Las Vegas both strong possibilities for a variety of reasons if those teams decide to make changes.

Fowler: Shula has that Rams tree, coaches an opportunistic defense in L.A. and has long been on the league’s internal radar as an emerging candidate. That’s a good formula. We outlined a few weeks back the reasons Joseph is well positioned, and Joseph and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh acquitted themselves well with the Raiders during last year’s cycle. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke are poised to score their first interviews. Seattle’s Aden Durde could land in that group, too.

One thing this cycle has in spades is defense. It’s lacking a bit on offense. I’m expecting Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to be in the mix in Tennessee (and possibly elsewhere). Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady have earned interview chances but aren’t considered runaway prospects at this point. Stefanski and Kliff Kingsbury might be involved. It wouldn’t surprise to see Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher on the interview circuit. And a sleeper candidate is Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who could have some action. What do you make of that side of the ball, Dan?

Graziano: I’ve heard Nagy’s name a lot; it was thrown around in connection with the Titans job seemingly within the first few minutes after Brian Callahan was fired. I agree that Kubiak is one to watch and think he might get more interviews than some might expect him to get. Brady would be the guy to watch in Cincinnati if the Bengals did move on from Taylor, but like you, I don’t expect that to happen. The relative lack of top offensive candidates is the thing that makes me wonder whether Kingsbury gets some attention or even Mike McCarthy gets some looks, though I haven’t heard anything solid on teams being interested in the latter.

Who is the most interesting head coach candidate not currently in the NFL?

Graziano: I really struggled with this one, as did most of the people to whom I spoke. Jon Gruden? That’s complicated by a ton of factors, including his pending litigation against the league. I’m not sure McCarthy gets another shot, but he could get some looks. College guys don’t seem to be very hot right now. I never thought Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman was getting serious interest, but good for him for getting a raise out of the whole thing. I just haven’t heard much on who could be this year’s, say, Pete Carroll.

Fowler: It wouldn’t shock me if teams wanted to speak with Gruden, assuming his lawsuit will reach a conclusion at some point. In a year with limited offensive options, this would be the time. His imprint is still all over the NFL coaching landscape. McCarthy would be a key figure in this equation, too. Out of the retread options, he seems well positioned. That doesn’t mean he’ll get a job, but I do expect him to interview.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian publicly denying any NFL interest back in October doesn’t necessarily end the conversation. He has deep NFL ties after stints with the Falcons and Raiders over the years, and he could easily gauge the market without being directly involved.

Graziano: Who knows? There are always surprises. I’d be saying Bill O’Brien, who was a successful NFL head coach once upon a time, if he hadn’t had such a lousy season at Boston College. The Bears gave Eddie George an interview last cycle. Would the Titans do the same? Could the Giants give Antonio Pierce a call two years after his brief stint with the Raiders and bring back their legendary linebacker?

Fowler: Here’s a college sleeper … Bret Bielema. He has won 19 games over the past two seasons as Illinois’ head coach, and he spent three years as an NFL assistant between collegiate head coaching stints, so I believe the pros is still attractive to him. He’s an outside-the-box idea, but anything goes this cycle.

What about the general managers: Who has the hottest front office seat right now?

Fowler: Falcons owner Arthur Blank will evaluate the team’s football operation at the conclusion of the season. General manager Terry Fontenot is finishing his fifth year at the helm. Over that time, the Falcons have not produced a winning season, which is hard to overcome. Of the 18 sitting general managers with at least five years of experience, only one — the Rams’ Les Snead, in the middle of a move from St. Louis to Los Angeles — failed to produce a winning season through the first five years. So this is a spot people around the league who follow such things have been monitoring closely for potential change, despite the team showing signs of life in recent weeks and its 2025 draft picks emerging.

Graziano: For sure. Again, that team had high expectations the past two years and has not come close to meeting them. Blank is eager to win as soon as possible and might not be patient with this group.

I was in Indianapolis on Sunday, and no one there seems to know for sure where things are headed following the Colts’ late-season collapse. GM Chris Ballard has a good relationship with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, from what I am told, and while the Anthony Richardson Sr. pick seems to have been a miss, the Daniel Jones signing was a hit until he got hurt. I think Ballard sticks around, but people are asking about him a lot these days.

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Fowler: Ballard remains a moving target because he drafts well and builds good rosters — but no division titles in nine years is a tough sell. I’ve talked to a few people in the league who wonder whether Ballard would be the first to go over coach Shane Steichen if Irsay-Gordon makes changes at all. But the Colts had a good thing going for 10 games before the injuries, so that factors in, too. Most people I’ve talked to are leaning toward Ballard’s job being safe.

With other spots, some of the people I’ve talked to believe Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort will ultimately be safe. Browns general manager Andrew Berry has been operating like someone who will be back, and that’s my sense of what will happen. His successful 2025 draft was carefully crafted with 2026 in mind, and he has had the freedom to negotiate extensions with veterans.

Graziano: That all lines up with what I’m hearing. I haven’t been told anything to indicate Berry would be in trouble. A couple of people I talk to are still watching the Giants, who said after coach Brian Daboll’s midseason firing that GM Joe Schoen would lead the coaching search but haven’t done much besides lose games since then. Schoen seems to be pretty well aligned with the other decision-makers in the Giants’ building from what I can gather, but the team’s record during his tenure is poor enough that eyeballs are on this situation. Some people wonder whether this could turn out the way the Jaguars’ situation did last offseason, when Jacksonville said GM Trent Baalke would lead the coaching search and then ended up firing him to entice Liam Coen to take the head coach job.

What else are you hearing this week?

Fowler’s notes:

• The Ravens’ playoff hopes are still alive, but this season has been challenging, raising questions about whether some level of change is coming after the season. Harbaugh has never been afraid to make staff changes when necessary. Some people around the league are watching defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s status closely after Baltimore fell from 10th to 25th in total defense since 2024.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s future is complicated because he’s known as a skilled coach, his contract was extended in the offseason, and he has interviewed for head coaching jobs. He also was a person of interest during the Michigan coaching search that ultimately landed on Kyle Whittingham. But the offense has fallen from first to 16th in yards, and questions exist about the chemistry between Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson. The usage of Derrick Henry has been a source of frustration at times, too. Either way, something could come to a head with the staff. Of course, Baltimore is dangerous if it can get into the playoffs with a win Sunday in Pittsburgh, and a spirited late-season run could silence all of this noise. But there is noise.

• The Falcons have not quit on Morris, who has railed off three consecutive wins to make his case for a third year in Atlanta. But that doesn’t ensure his return. Morris would most likely need to make staff changes if he does stay. Special teams has been a bugaboo, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s development hasn’t proceeded as hoped.

• There is talk in some league circles about the future of Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. The offense has tanked of late, and Baker Mayfield has regressed in the second half of the season. Some level of change is needed after this year’s late-season collapse, which is at least somewhat injury-driven. The Bucs are playing with third-string offensive guards, and the running game hasn’t been quite the same. Grizzard is well respected and helped former coordinator Liam Coen with game-planning last season, but the Bucs’ offense can’t stop the slide.

• League sources consider it likely that Washington makes a change at defensive coordinator after Joe Whitt Jr. was stripped of playcalling duties earlier this season. The Commanders are 31st in total defense. Injuries and a lack of pass rush personnel have contributed, but coach Dan Quinn faces a critical third season in Washington and appears poised to make changes. Quinn has been calling the defense; whether he continues to do so will depend on an offseason review.

• With a weaker pool of offensive candidates for head-coaching jobs, I expect several up-and-coming non-playcallers to get looks for more prominent playcalling jobs or even head-coaching opportunities. We know the drill: Oftentimes a team will interview a coach for a head coaching position with the back-pocket thought to pair that coach as a coordinator for the head coach it really wants. This year’s group of young offensive coaches working behind a skilled playcaller is deep — including the Jaguars’ Grant Udinski, Bears’ Declan Doyle, Panthers’ Brad Idzik and Broncos’ Davis Webb. There are many others, but those coaches fit a younger mold and could surprise some people.

• Kingsbury’s head coaching candidacy is interesting despite Washington’s struggles. The Commanders rank 21st in total offense — ahead of Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — despite a poor supporting cast ravaged by injury. He’s a potential fit in Tennessee, with a young quarterback in Cam Ward who fits his style of offense. Las Vegas, should that job open as many around the league expect, will take a hard look at improving its offense. Kingsbury has been selective but is also open to becoming a head coach again. So while he’s not the shiniest name because of Washington’s record, I could see him being in the mix again.

• Former Giants coach Brian Daboll should be a viable offensive coordinator option for teams looking to hire one. He could get head coaching interviews, as well. He has significant playcalling experience and did some good things with Jaxson Dart before his November firing.

• Names that come up fairly often for the general manager cycle include Green Bay vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan and Indianapolis assistant general manager Ed Dodds. They have significant personnel experience. Also, Chicago assistant GM Ian Cunningham has been a fixture on the scene and has helped build Chicago into a winner. The same goes for assistant GMs Terrance Gray (Buffalo), Alec Halaby (Philadelphia) and Chad Alexander (L.A. Chargers). Another candidate to watch through the Eagles system is vice president of football operations and strategy Adam Berry, and Texans assistant GM James Liipfert could get involved this cycle, too.

• The Rams are feeling the urgency after back-to-back losses. As defensive lineman Kobie Turner put it, teams have trouble hanging with the Rams when they are at their best, but that’s not often enough. “We’ve got to get ourselves together,” he said after Monday night’s loss in Atlanta. Part of the reason the team isn’t panicking: The Sean McVay-Matthew Stafford relationship that is thriving in Year 5. Stafford has embraced more under-center play and with multiple tight ends on the field. Even during his worst game (intercepted three times by the Falcons’ defense), he was well on his way to 350 or so yards if not for penalties or plays negated by official review.

“The offense presents things that look the same but are different for the defense — I think that bodes really well for us moving forward,” tight end Colby Parkinson said. “These will set us up for success.”

Graziano’s notes:

• Anthony Campanile is worth watching; the Jags’ defensive coordinator could get interviews this cycle and a head coaching job down the road. People around the league are taking note of what has happened in Jacksonville and how quickly Coen and his relatively inexperienced staff have turned things around. The Jaguars have the league’s best run defense in yards allowed per game, and they trail only the Bears with 30 takeaways.

The turnaround in Jacksonville is across-the-board impressive. QB Trevor Lawrence’s confidence is sky-high thanks in part to a couple of midseason moves by the coaching staff and the front office. Coen and his staff used the team’s Week 8 bye to drill down on what they believed Lawrence liked and didn’t like in the offense and focus on what they could do to keep building it around his strengths and preferences.

“The biggest difference I see is Trevor running out of the pocket, using his legs and then just ripping the ball,” Jags offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen told me. “He’s making decisions he might not have made in the past, I’m talking about in a good way, and it’s really elevated the offense.”

The front office, around that same time, acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in a trade with the Raiders. Using first-round picks on wideouts two years in a row and paying Dyami Brown $10 million in free agency might have made most teams reluctant to make this kind of move, given the amount of high-end resources already sunk into the position. But the Jags knew they had a very specific problem — namely a league-leading number of drops — that the sure-handed Meyers could help them correct. His addition changed their offense, moving 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. into a role he was more comfortable with and allowing Parker Washington to shine. And the team rewarded Meyers with a contract extension shortly after the trade. What that means for the future of their WR position once Travis Hunter comes back is a discussion for another day. (Hunter, remember, can do other things!)

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Liam Coen to McAfee: Jakobi Meyers was the answer

Liam Coen tells Pat McAfee how Jakobi Meyers has lifted up the Jaguars since the team traded for him.

GM James Gladstone and vice president of football operations Tony Boselli deserve a lot of credit for a smart, aggressive deadline deal that has Jacksonville in position to win its division and potentially still get the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs in what a lot of front offices might have been content to view as a rebuilding year. I was a skeptic about Jacksonville’s 2025 chances after visiting the team in training camp, but the Jaguars already posted their first 12-win season in 20 years (and third in franchise history). They’ve won in Denver, they split with Houston, and they’re beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. In a wide-open, Chiefs-free AFC playoff field … why not?

• Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he was optimistic about edge rusher T.J. Watt returning for Sunday night’s game against Baltimore. Watt, who had surgery three weeks ago to repair a partially collapsed lung, was a limited practice participant all three days last week, which was an encouraging sign. But people close to this situation have cautioned me that the Steelers aren’t treating this as a run-of-the-mill injury recovery (which it’s not) and they likely will want to see Watt get through multiple full practices before activating him for the game, even as vital as it is to their season. So watch the practice reports this week to get a sense of Watt’s chances to go.

• Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s status for that same game is very much up in the air, as the team entered the week with no idea how much (if anything) Jackson would be able to do in Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practices. We might have some clues by Wednesday, if Jackson is able to get out on the field for practice and move around OK with the back injury that cost him last week’s game. But it’s no sure thing he’ll be able to answer the bell for Sunday night, and I’d expect Tyler Huntley to get some first-team reps this week either way, just in case.

• Niners left tackle Trent Williams is dealing with a pulled hamstring, and while coach Kyle Shanahan declined to rule him out Tuesday for Saturday night’s game, Williams is 37 and hasn’t had this injury before, and the team is playing on a short week. He’s probably a long shot to play against the Seahawks in a game that will decide the NFC West title and the conference’s top seed.

The silver lining is that the team was extremely impressed with the performance of backup Austen Pleasants, the fourth-year journeyman who stepped in when Williams got hurt on the first play of the 49ers’ win over the Bears on Sunday night. Pleasants is on his third team in four years and has yet to start a game in the NFL, but Saturday night could very well be his first start, and his contributions to San Francisco’s success in the run game in particular vs. the Bears (with tight end George Kittle also down for that game) offer some reason for optimism even against Seattle’s fearsome front.