2026 NFL Coaching Changes Heat Up: Raiders Hire Kubiak

The 2026 NFL coaching offseason is now in full motion, with teams across the league shaking up their leadership in key coaching and front office roles. The Las Vegas Raiders notably secured Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, marking one of the most high-profile hires in this extensive period of transitions.

As franchises aim to improve after recent seasons, numerous head coaches, coordinators, and executives have been hired, fired, or retained, signaling wide-ranging strategic shifts. This article outlines the most significant moves, departures, and upcoming interviews shaping the NFL’s coaching landscape heading into 2026.

Major Coaching and Front Office Appointments

Several teams have completed pivotal hirings to strengthen their rosters’ leadership. The Arizona Cardinals appointed Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach, complemented by former Packers assistant and Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, now their offensive coordinator. The Atlanta Falcons made sweeping changes by bringing in former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football, replacing Raheem Morris as head coach with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, and hiring Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator. Additionally, they’ve added Craig Aukerman for special teams, Ian Cunningham as general manager, and Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach.

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The Baltimore Ravens turned to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their head coach, and Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle stepped into the Ravens’ offensive coordinator role. They are expected to bring back Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator, a coach with past ties to the Ravens. The Buffalo Bills promoted Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach and hired Pete Carmichael Jr. as offensive coordinator, alongside Jim Leonhard stepping in as defensive coordinator. Cleveland Browns hired Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their head coach.

The Dallas Cowboys recruited Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. The Denver Broncos promoted passing game coordinator Davis Webb to offensive coordinator after several head coach interviews. Detroit Lions brought in Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. The Green Bay Packers appointed former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator. Kansas City Chiefs rehired Eric Bieniemy, formerly a Bears running backs coach and Chiefs offensive coordinator, to lead their offense.

The Las Vegas Raiders, after firing Pete Carroll, selected Klint Kubiak from the Seahawks as head coach. The Los Angeles Chargers brought in former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator and hired Chris O’Leary for defensive coordinator. Los Angeles Rams hired former Commanders offensive coordinator and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury for their staff. Miami Dolphins revamped their front office and coaching ranks by hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager, Jeff Hafley as head coach, and Sean Duggan as defensive coordinator.

New York Giants named former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as head coach, former Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator, and Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. Dawn Aponte was appointed Senior Vice President of Football Operations. The New York Jets hired Brian Duker for defensive coordinator and Frank Reich as offensive coordinator, with Seth Ryan joining as passing game coordinator. Pittsburgh Steelers replaced Mike Tomlin by hiring Mike McCarthy as head coach and added Patrick Graham and Brian Angelichio for defensive and offensive coordinator positions respectively.

Notable Departures and Dismissals

Key coaching departures have significantly impacted many franchises. The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after a disappointing 3-14 season. The Atlanta Falcons dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot shortly after the 2025 regular season concluded. Baltimore Ravens parted ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. Buffalo Bills ended Sean McDermott’s nine-season tenure post their divisional-round playoff loss. Cleveland Browns parted with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who will not be retained under new head coach Todd Monken.

The Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after a single season amid a subpar 7-9-1 finish. Denver Broncos dismissed offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after three years. Detroit Lions relieved John Morton of his offensive coordinator role after one season. The Raiders made multiple staff changes including firing head coach Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. Los Angeles Chargers fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman following a wild-card loss.

Miami Dolphins’ general manager Chris Grier stepped down midseason while head coach Mike McDaniel was also relieved of duties after missing the playoffs consecutively. Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. New York Giants ended both the head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen tenures midseason. New York Jets fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand after a poor campaign. Philadelphia Eagles lost offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who retired after 13 seasons. Pittsburgh Steelers saw Mike Tomlin step down after 19 years, with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith departing for Ohio State.

Other significant firings included Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and Tennessee Titans’ head coach Brian Callahan. Washington Commanders mutually parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Coaches and Executives Staying Put

Some franchises have opted for continuity amid the turmoil. Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Monti Ossenfort remains despite coaching changes. Atlanta Falcons retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Buffalo Bills kept general manager Brandon Beane, promoting him to president of football operations. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles confirmed he will continue as head coach.

The Cincinnati Bengals retained head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin. Cleveland Browns kept Andrew Berry as general manager following head coach Kevin Stefanski’s firing. Green Bay Packers extended contracts for head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. Indianapolis Colts maintained head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard despite a late-season losing streak. The Raiders retained general manager John Spytek to lead operations searching for a new head coach. New York Giants and Jets kept Joe Schoen and Aaron Glenn as general manager and head coach respectively.

Upcoming Interviews Affect Coaching Decisions

Numerous interviews are underway to determine final hires in vacancies. The Arizona Cardinals are conducting multiple interviews, including Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. They have also revisited Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur for a second meeting.

The Atlanta Falcons interviewed candidates such as Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and Panthers’ Brandt Tilis. Baltimore Ravens eye Lions assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery for offensive coordinator. Buffalo Bills have interviewed Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, and others, with some candidates withdrawing from consideration.

Cleveland Browns conducted extensive interviews including defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, and others, while some candidates like Jaguars OC Grant Udinski and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel withdrew from the race.

The Dallas Cowboys interviewed various defensive candidates such as former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard. Detroit Lions’ interviews include former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Las Vegas Raiders requested interviews with Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, former Bears head coach Matt Nagy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and others.

Los Angeles Chargers are interviewing candidates including former Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Miami Dolphins are interviewing a broad range of candidates including former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. New York Giants are interviewing Broncos offensive pass game coordinator Davis Webb, Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, and former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. New York Jets have conducted various defensive coaching interviews including Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.

Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing former Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion. Pittsburgh Steelers are requesting interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and have scheduled interviews with Mike McCarthy and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Tennessee Titans have conducted numerous interviews including Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

New York Jets have also interviewed a broad range of offensive coaching candidates, including former Colts head coach Frank Reich and Cowboys tight end coach Lunda Wells, as they search to finalize their staff for the 2026 season.

Impact and Outlook for the 2026 NFL Season

The 2026 NFL coaching cycle reflects a league-wide effort to rebuild and reposition for competitive success. The Raiders’ hire of Klint Kubiak represents a key emphasis on offensive innovation, and hires like Joe Brady to Buffalo’s helm indicate franchises investing in rising coaching talent. Established coaches like John Harbaugh returning to lead the Giants and Mike McCarthy guiding the Steelers underline the mix of experience and fresh perspectives entering the league.

Teams that made major changes, such as the Falcons and Dolphins, signal a commitment to reshape organizational culture from the front office to the sidelines. Others, aiming for stability like the Bengals and Colts, believe in continuity despite recent struggles.

As the interview process continues and coaching staffs take shape, the decisions made in this period will resonate beyond the sideline, influencing team performance, player development, and fan expectations in the upcoming season. The 2026 NFL coaching changes are set to create ripples across all 32 teams, emphasizing the critical role leadership plays in the league’s future.

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