While the 2026 NFL season is only five weeks in, it's never too early to look at the 2027 NFL coaching cycle.
Which 2027 candidates could wind up landing top jobs in the NFL, based on what we've seen through five weeks of NFL competition? We know at least some jobs will open up in the 2027 cycle; the candidates look promising.
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We've compiled 12 names we're particularly interested in right now as possible NFL head coaching candidates, from rising coordinators to the most obvious former coach who will get a job if he wants one.
Let's take a dive into who these guys are and why they might ignite some major interest by the end of the season.
Jaguars OC Grant Udinski
While he's just
30, Udinski is behind one of the NFL's best success stories of late in Jacksonville. While Liam Coen calls the plays, Udinski feels primed for a head coaching job in this upcoming cycle. Any team wanting a bright, young offensive mind that's coordinating one of the NFL's best offenses may look to Udinski. He's as fast a riser as we've seen in the NFL coaching ranks of late, and he may get his chance to lead an NFL franchise in the winter.
49ers OC Klay Kubiak
After his brother Klint Kubiak got the Las Vegas Raiders job this past winter, don't be shocked if Klay Kubiak follows in his footsteps. The San Francisco 49ers are the NFL's best team right now; everybody wants to cut from the Kyle Shanahan offensive cloth when possible. Klay Kubiak, like Udinski, does't call plays, but he's been in the NFL long enough to earn top looks and comes from a strong family coaching tree. We bet he lands a gig after the year ends.
Ravens OC Declan Doyle
Doyle may be the first coach from the Ben Johnson tree to land a NFL coaching job. He's been splendid with the Baltimore Ravens this season calling plays, which should put him on a quick track to a top job. While it's possible NFL teams want to see this over two seasons, he may be such a hot commodity that a franchise wants him now as opposed to waiting to see if he makes it to 2028. Doyle may be one of the most popular names in this cycle.
Lions OC Drew Petzing
The Lions have the best offense in the NFL right now, with Petzing a home-run hire so far for Detroit. However, he may not last long. Petzing is an experienced coach with a coordinator stop with the Arizona Cardinals. Petzing is a Kevin Stefanski acolyte who could, like his old boss, land a head coaching job after an impressive year in Detroit so far.
Panthers OC Brad Idzik
Idzik may ride the Bryce Young wave to head coaching consideration. Dave Canales' top offensive assistant coach has been part of Young's NFL revival, which could entice teams looking to get the most out of their young quarterbacks. Particularly for a team set to draft one in 2027, Idzik could be a great option to grow with a new starter. The Panthers will have to keep up the offensive success for Idzik to get real looks, but don't sleep on him.
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy
Bieniemy was a popular head coaching candidate during his first stint in Kansas City as Patrick Mahomes' offensive coordinator. He should be a popular name again, as he's rejoined the team right where he left off. We do wonder if Bieniemy might be Andy Reid's heir apparent when it's all said and done, but maybe another team comes calling? Bieniemy's time spent with Ben Johnson in Chicago only makes him even more attractive as a possible head coach.
Vikings DC Brian Flores
If results spoke for themselves, Flores would be an NFL head coach again by now. However, his lawsuit with the NFL could make teams a little shy to hire him for a top job in 2027. Until then, he'll keep fielding some of the best defenses of the 2020s and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with his blitz-happy tsunamis. Maybe Flores will finally get his chance at returning to a head coaching job in the winter? He's beyond deserving for his recent body of work.
Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile
Campanile has the Jaguars defense humming for a second year, which should position him for some head coaching looks. Getting either coordinator on that Coen staff should be enticing for NFL franchises; Campanile might be the top defensive candidate in the cycle outside of Flores. The more the Jags keep winning, the higher his odds raise.
Ravens DC Anthony Weaver
Weaver's time has been coming for a bit now, as he's established himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Baltimore offers a wonderful spotlight, and his Ravens defense is starting to come together. Weaver might end up being the main defensive coordinator in this cycle to land a job; his time with Minter this season should only make him more appealing. If the Ravens make the Super Bowl, Weaver might be elsewhere in 2027.
Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich
Ulbrich is one of the most underrated defensive coordinators in the NFL; he's making magic happen with a depleted Falcons defense lacking in star power. This year's Falcons defense is arguably better than last year's, which is a testament to the coaching. If NFL teams are impressed by Ulbrich, he may get head coaching looks this winter.
Seahawks DC Aden Durde
Durde is part of the Mike Macdonald Seattle success, but he's been in the NFL for quite a bit and has been building for this moment. If the Seahawks make it back to the Super Bowl or at least mount another deep playoff run, Durde's time may come. We're not sure how much teams attribute to Macdonald solely, but Durde is an intriguing candidate.
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
Tomlin will decide if he wants to return to the NFL sideline or not. He's been crushing it at NBC Sports, and there's only so much time in the day to build Minecraft cities, after all. However, he's Mike Tomlin, so if he wants another NFL head coaching job, he'll get one. In reality, it's just on him as to whether or not he's up for another challenge.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 12 strong NFL head coaching candidates for 2027 through 5 weeks
