The wildest coaching cycle in recent memory is finally complete with the Cardinals and Raiders settling on Mike LaFleur and Klint Kubiak on Sunday. The coaching staffs are not complete just yet, but most have taken shape. Below are my rankings of each head coach hire in 2026, from best to worst, based on what is known right now.
1. John Harbaugh, Giants
OC: Vacant, DC: Dennard Wilson
The first shock of the cycle came from the Baltimore Ravens firing John Harbaugh after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Team owner Steve Bisciotti said in his press conference that Harbaugh would have been safe for “another week” had the Ravens achieved the playoffs, essentially claiming it was Super Bowl or bust for Harbaugh.
Several teams came calling immediately for the coach’s services, but he ultimately landed in New York. The Giants have a quietly talented roster with pieces to build around, such as Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, and, of course, Jaxson Dart.
Harbaugh comes with authority, answering only to the owner, and has the power to hire his own coaching staff. He’s bringing many of his assistants with him from Baltimore, but was apparently blindsided by offensive coordinator Todd Monken being hired as HC in Cleveland. The all-important OC job should be a coveted one, having the opportunity to work with QB Jaxson Dart.
The Giants have been longing for a coach of John Harbaugh’s caliber, having no sustained success since the days of Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. Harbaugh finally brings a winning attitude and culture to New York.
2. Kevin Stefanski, Falcons
OC: Tommy Rees, DC: Jeff Ulbrich, OL: Bill Callahan
The Cleveland Browns relieved Kevin Stefanski of his duties, which allowed him to pursue other (better) opportunities. An early top name in the cycle, Stefanski chose the Atlanta Falcons.
Stefanski brings his old-school Shanahan/Kubiak-style offense to the Falcons, where he will feature all-world running back Bijan Robinson. Drake London and a good offensive line are pieces that are in place, while Kyle Pitts and Tyler Allgeier are free agents.
The Falcons have a talented young defense featuring a pair of first-round pass rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Stefanski wisely retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to continue to grow that side of the ball.
Stefanski signed a 5 year deal with the Falcons, suggesting he will be responsible for developing Michael Penix, or finding the future franchise QB.
3. Jesse Minter, Ravens
OC: Declan Doyle, DC: Vacant
Jesse Minter may have landed the best job available. He takes over for the Ravens, where he first broke into coaching at the NFL level as an assistant under John Harbaugh. He ended up with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and eventually Los Angeles before coming full circle as head coach of the Ravens.
Minter will bring some of the same principles, being an extension of the Harbaugh family (coaching) tree, while being a fresh face, with a new message and direction.
Getting the most out of 2-time MVP, Lamar Jackson, is paramount. League MVP isn’t the goal and it clearly is not enough, Baltimore wants Super Bowls. Minter to the Ravens is only a success story if he brings home a ring while his uber talented QB is in his prime.
4. Joe Brady, Bills
OC: Pete Carmichael, DC: Jim Leonhard, OL: Pat Meyer
Longtime head coach Sean McDermott got the axe after a great run that ultimately ended without a Super Bowl trophy. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady takes over as head coach, signifying that the Bills’ brass realizes they aren’t far from a championship run.
Brady has gotten the best out of Josh Allen, including his 2024 MVP season. The Bills’ defense, however, appears to have come up short one too many times.
Former coach Sean McDermott largely ran the defense on his own, making Brady’s hire of Jim Leonhard of the utmost importance. More of the same from Josh Allen and the offense combined with a revamped defense could be enough to get the Bills over the hump.
5. Klint Kubiak, Raiders
No assistants announced yet.
Klint Kubiak, who will be calling plays on offense for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, cannot officially sign a contract until next week, but it’s essentially a done deal for him to join the Las Vegas Raiders.
He enters a woefully bad team, but has enough pieces to create optimism.
Mark Davis, Tom Brady, and company rightfully admitted to their mistake by dismissing Pete Carroll after one year, but the Raiders need to exercise patience with Klint Kubiak.
At 38 years old, time is on his side. He also enters the organization as it holds the #1 pick in the NFL draft, which they will undoubtedly use on QB Fernando Mendoza.
The roster lacks talent, but with building blocks like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, Kubiak will get right to work showing his offensive genius. The Raiders landed one of the best candidates of the cycle and can finally focus on the long term.
6. Mike McCarthy, Steelers
OC: Vacant, DC: Patrick Graham, OL: James Campen
Mike McCarthy takes over a legendary position as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His three predecessors all left Lombardi Trophies behind, creating immense pressure for the hometown head coach.
McCarthy takes over a roster that won the AFC North in 2025, but hasn’t won a playoff game since 2017. They’re also in dire need of a franchise QB, which fits McCarthys strengths.
Credited with developing Aaron Rodgers and elevating the play of Dak Prescott, McCarthy will be in charge of finding the next Steelers franchise QB – which has escaped them since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement 4 years ago.
The Steelers will afford McCarthy patience and stability as he works towards his ultimate goals of a QB, playoff wins, and an eventual Super Bowl.
7. Robert Saleh, Titans
OC: Brian Daboll, DC: Vacant
After an impressive year running the battered 49ers defense, Robert Saleh gets another shot at being head coach, this time with the Titans. His failed stint with the Jets is largely recognized as an outlier being that nobody can seem to right that ship.
Saleh brings a high energy, physical presence to the Titans who conducted an expansive search for their opening.
Along with Saleh comes Brian Daboll, who will run the offense and take charge of the development of the 2025 first overall pick, Cam Ward.
Daboll had a giant hand in developing Josh Allen in Buffalo and has similar traits to work with in Ward. Daboll is as important to the success of the Titans as Saleh is, making him a big reason I rate this hire as highly as I do.
8. Jeff Hafley, Dolphins
OC: Bobby Slowik, DC: Sean Duggan
Jeff Hafley takes over as head coach after the firing of Mike McDaniel. Hafley is expected to bring toughness to the Dolphins, a trait they lacked under the finesse-filled philosophy of Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins have talent on offense in Waddle and Achane, but big QB questions with Tua Tagovailoa. Signs point to retaining him as Hafley promoted pass game coordinator, Bobby Slowik to OC, who worked with Tua last year.
The Dolphins defense finished 24th in points allowed and 28th in yards per play allowed. Hafley will have his work cut out for him on defense, but it wouldn’t be the first unit he rebuilt. Turning the Packers defense into a strong unit is what landed him the gig in Miami.
9. Mike LeFleur, Cardinals
No assistants announced yet.
The latest branch to blossom off the NFL’s tree of life heads to Arizona. Having worked extensively for Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, LeFleur brings a modern approach to his division rival Cardinals.
The Cardinals have a sneaky cast of young talent, but also have questions at QB. Kyler Murray has been the subject of trade rumors and the Cardinals hold the #3 overall pick in Aprils NFL draft.
I would expect LeFleur to fill out his staff with impressive young coaches from his years of NFL experience.
10. Todd Monken, Browns
OC: Travis Switzer, DC: Vacant
Todd Monken lands the Browns head coach vacancy, seemingly by default. A slew of candidates dropped out of the race, and it appears the Browns’ brass selected Monken over current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Monken has been credited with taking Lamar Jackson’s game to the next level by developing his passing game. He may be asked to do the same with 2nd year QB, Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns top defensive unit is in place, however it appears up in the air whether their champion, Jim Schwartz will return.
The roster isn’t in as bad of shape as the front office, as they may have had the best draft class of any team in 2025. Monken’s success, like many others, will be directly tied to his handling of the ever cursed Browns’ QB position.
