The list of NFL head coaching vacancies is already eight deep
, with the Cleveland Browns facing competition for the top candidates from the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Miami Dolphins. A few of the head coaches fired, including Kevin Stefanski and John Harbaugh, are among the candidates to fill other positions with a head start on the process, based on the NFL’s rules.Many thought the list of vacancies would stop
on “Black Monday,” but the Ravens and Dolphins moving on from their coaches opened the idea that the NFL head coaching carousel is far from stopped. The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with a few coaches potentially joining the unemployed line if their team loses, creating even more competition for Cleveland to get a top candidate for their job.
Some, like Harbaugh, would be a surprise but are still in the realm of possibility:
- Green Bay Packers – Matt LaFleur is going into the final year of his contract and a new team president has yet to commit to him. Stefanski was linked to the Packers job before the 2025 season closed for the Browns.
- Buffalo Bills – Sean McDermott was Cleveland GM Andrew Berry’s top choice for the head coaching job back in 2016. The Bills could be looking for a fresh start after nine seasons if Josh Allen doesn’t get past the Wild Card round.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Firing a head coach one year after winning a Super Bowl would be unique, but Howie Roseman sees things differently than most. Nick Sirianni’s time in Philly has been tumultuous but the team has also won a ton under his watch. A playoff loss in the first weekend could stir the pot in the City of Brotherly Love and Tush Push.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Tomlin is an institution with the Steelers, hasn’t had a losing record, and has his team back in the playoffs after winning the AFC North. Very few have high expectations for Pittsburgh’s postseason, with ESPN noting that Tomlin could step away for a year and do television.
At this point, the two Pennsylvania teams seem the most likely to see change, for totally different reasons and situations. The Packers new president creates a bit of unknown, while the Bills fanbase is more frustrated with their front office at this point.
For the Browns, adding any of these teams to the pool looking for a new head coach will make things more difficult. All four have had continued success for a period of time, with three out of the four (sorry, not sorry to the Steelers) also having franchise quarterbacks. On the other hand, LaFleur, McDermott, Sirianni, and Tomlin would all add valuable options to the head coaching candidate list. Would Cleveland intrigue any/all of them?
Do you think any of the above 4 playoff coaches will move on from their team if they lose this weekend? If so, which one, and would you want the Browns to hire that coach if they were free?
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