At a Glance
- Nine NFL head-coaching jobs opened for 2026, triggering a wave of front-office and coordinator moves
- Pete Carroll and Kevin Stefanski headline the fired coaches now landing new roles
- John Harbaugh jumps from Ravens to Giants, while Matt Ryan exits the CBS booth to run Atlanta’s football operations
- Why it matters: Fresh leadership across nearly one-third of the league could reshape playoff races and draft strategies overnight
The NFL’s annual coaching carousel spun at full speed Monday, with nine franchises swapping out head coaches and a cascade of coordinators and general managers following suit. News Of Fort Worth tracked every 2026 hire as teams race to install new leadership before free agency and the draft.
Head Coaches Finding New Homes
Atlanta moved fastest, tabbing former Browns sideline boss Kevin Stefanski to replace the departed Arthur Smith. Stefanski, 43, brings a 47-49 Cleveland record and two playoff appearances to Flowery Branch.
The New York Giants pried John Harbaugh away from Baltimore after 16 seasons and a Super Bowl XLVII title. Terms were not disclosed, but the move ends a month-long search that included interviews with six candidates.
No other head-coaching slots have been filled as of publication. The remaining seven vacancies belong to Carolina, Chicago, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Tennessee and Washington.
Front-Office Power Shifts
Former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan takes over Miami’s general-manager post, replacing Chris Grier. Sullivan spent 18 seasons in Green Bay’s scouting department and helped shape back-to-to-back Hall of Fame quarterback transitions.
In Atlanta, longtime Colts quarterback and current CBS analyst Matt Ryan will preside over all football operations as president of football. Ryan, 40, retired after the 2022 season and jumped immediately into broadcasting.
Coordinator Carousel
Washington elevated assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. Blough, 29, has never called plays at the NFL level but worked closely with 2025 first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels during his rookie campaign.
Additional coordinator posts remain open across the league. Clubs typically fill those roles once head-coaching vacancies are resolved, meaning another wave of announcements is expected within the week.
Timeline of Monday Moves
| Team | Role | Hire | Previous Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | President of football | Matt Ryan | CBS analyst |
| Falcons | Head coach | Kevin Stefanski | Browns head coach |
| Dolphins | General manager | Jon-Eric Sullivan | Packers VP of player personnel |
| Giants | Head coach | John Harbaugh | Ravens head coach |
| Commanders | Offensive coordinator | David Blough | Commanders assistant QBs coach |
What Comes Next
The league’s 2026 hiring cycle is far from finished. Seven franchises still need head coaches, and each new hire traditionally brings two coordinator appointments plus assorted assistants. Front-office shuffles also lag behind coaching moves; only Miami and Atlanta have announced new top executives.
All hires are contingent upon contract signings and league approval. Natalie A. Brooks reported the list will be updated as additional appointments become official.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly one-third of the NFL will open 2026 under new head coaches
- Stefanski and Harbaugh bring combined 237 regular-season victories to their new clubs
- Atlanta doubled down on experience, pairing a former MVP quarterback in the front office with a playoff-tested coach
- Miami opts for internal promotion, promoting Sullivan within the NFC South scouting tree
- Washington bets on youth, handing play-calling duties to a 29-year-old first-time coordinator
