NFL Insider Says It's A 'Weak Candidate Pool' for HC Jobs as Giants, Titans Search

At least one NFL insider feels teams looking for a new head coach could be left with relatively limited options this winter.

One league source described potential head coaches for 2026 as a "weak candidate pool" when speaking to ESPN's Nick Wagoner about the possibility that former New York Jets boss and current San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh could be considered for a job next season.

The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are the only NFL teams currently without permanent head coaches, although there could be further openings this offseason if teams like the Atlanta Falcons or Cleveland Browns respond to missing the playoffs with front office turnover.

Last winter, seven new coaches were installed around the NFL ahead of the 2025 season.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler previously described the 2025 coaching cycle as being dominated by two "clear-cut standouts" in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, respectively.

The hype around those candidates paid off. The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots have already clinched playoff spots in their first seasons led by Johnson and Vrabel, respectively.

Fowler noted earlier this month, however, that the 2026 cycle "is far more wide open," and that it could be "the ideal year to explore young change-of-pace options beyond the trendy coordinator names."

Which candidates ultimately get top consideration for any head coaching vacancies this season could depend on how the 2025 playoff picture ultimately shakes out.

For instance, Fowler named both Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik as a potential "change-of-pace" option for teams searching for a new leader in 2026.

Idzik's stock as a potential head coach could ultimately hinge at least in part on whether the Panthers, who are currently in the playoff picture after taking control of the NFC South with a Week 16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, end up making their first postseason appearance since 2017.