Ideal NFL Team-Coach Pairings Amid Latest Coaching Cycle Rumors

In a few weeks, the NFL's head coaching carousel will turn as teams evaluate and make critical decisions. Several lead skippers are in coaching limbo, awaiting their fate amid uncertain futures.

The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants made midseason changes, firing Brian Callahan and Brian Daboll, respectively. Both teams should attract quality candidates, with promising quarterbacks on their rosters.

Assuming there will be additional openings in January, head-coaching candidates will have more options to consider on the interview circuit.

For now, we'll play matchmaker, pairing notable candidates with vacancies and potential openings amid swirling rumors about the 2026 hiring cycle.

Teams Unlikely to Fire Head Coaches But Should Consider It

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores

Arizona Cardinals: San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh

Typically, head coaches need to turn their teams around within two to three seasons before they're at risk for losing their jobs. Under Jonathan Gannon, Arizona doubled its win total between 2023 and 2024, with a healthy Kyler Murray in the latter term. 

However, in what should have been another year of progress, the Cardinals and Murray regressed, which resulted in a disappointing campaign. 

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Cardinals could move on from Murray. If they do, Gannon should go along with him. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero don't expect Arizona to part ways with its head coach, but the franchise needs someone who can re-energize the team. Robert Saleh can do that with his exuberant coaching style, and he's done a good job leading the San Francisco 49ers' injury-riddled defense, which is 11th in points allowed.

Cincinnati Bengals: Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores

According to Pelissero, there are "no signs" the Bengals will relieve head coach Zac Taylor of his duties. The NFL insider cited quarterback Joe Burrow's injury and a poor defense as factors in Taylor's first losing season since 2020.

Though Burrow's extended absence significantly hurt the Bengals' playoff chances, the organization should be concerned with Taylor's inability to put together a quality staff. Last offseason, Cincinnati fired two key assistants, offensive line coach Frank Pollack and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.  

Instead of replacing the defensive coordinator for a unit that's worse than last year's group, the Bengals should consider hiring Brian Flores, a proven defensive play-caller with head-coaching experience. Flores can uplift that side of the ball, which would take pressure off Burrow and Co. on offense.

Atlanta Falcons: Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

The Atlanta Falcons can't seem to escape mediocrity. At best, they can match their 8-9 record from a year ago. 

Even with two capable quarterbacks, Michael Penix Jr., whom the team selected with the No. 8 overall pick last year, and Kirk Cousins, and the addition of two first-rounders for the defense, the Falcons haven't seen much progress under Morris.

Despite Atlanta's back-to-back wins, NFL insider James Palmer hears that more people believe the club could make changes (h/t 680 The Fan).

"That's a spot I'm hearing around the league that more and more people believe could be more likely a change than one staying pat, Palmer said during a Bleacher Report live stream on Tuesday. "I think they are analyzing everything in that building, from Terry Fontenot on down."

Morris' most questionable decision is his choice of an offensive coordinator: Zac Robinson. Before Penix tore his ACL, he lacked consistent productivity, throwing for nine touchdowns in nine contests. Bijan Robinson is a star talent who should be in the discussion for Offensive Player of the Year.

The Falcons can get the most out of Penix and Robinson by hiring one of the top offensive-minded head-coaching candidates in the upcoming cycle.

Midway through the 2023 campaign, Joe Brady turned around the Buffalo Bills offense and, in the following year, he helped quarterback Josh Allen win league MVP. If the Falcons are willing to be patient with Brady going through another playoff run in Buffalo, they should have him atop their list of interview requests.

Cleveland Browns: Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

The Cleveland Browns' head-coaching situation might be unique in the way it unfolds in the offseason.

The MMQB's Albert Breer floated the idea that head coach Kevin Stefanski may want out of Cleveland (h/t SI.com's Nick Pedone):

"If you're Kevin, and you are making all of these decisions for football reasons, and you have made a lot of other decisions over the years for football reasons and they're constantly second-guessed and everything turns into a circus, would you be sick of it?"

"With Paul DePodesta gone and no plan to replace him, is this a natural point for them to evaluate everything?" Breer asked. "Has this just become, 'You know what, this hasn't worked out for either one of us over the last couple of years, so maybe it's just time.'"

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero also noted that DePodesta, who left the Browns to become the Colorado Rockies' president of baseball operations, heavily influenced the hires of general manager Andrew Berry and Stefanski.

If Stefanski and the Browns' brain trust express mutual fatigue after two double-digit loss seasons, Cleveland could be looking for a new lead skipper. In that scenario, the Browns should hire a defensive-minded head coach who can bring that unit to a dominant form, while figuring out the quarterback situation. 

In two years, Chris Shula turned the Los Angeles Rams' young defensive front into one of the league's most stout groups. Under his tutelage, Jared Verse won the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Kobie Turner has become a premier interior pass-rusher and Byron Young has double-digit sacks (11).

Shula could work wonders with star edge-rusher Myles Garrett and 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Schwesinger. 

Looking at the Houston Texans this season, the Browns defense can carry them to the playoffs while Shula's assistants sort out the offense.

Las Vegas Raiders: Los Angeles Rams OC Mike LaFleur

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

As usual, the Las Vegas Raiders' plans are a bit of a mystery, and owner Mark Davis will lean on multiple people to make a decision on the team's head coaching situation.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, head coach Pete Carroll's future "is in doubt," and Davis will seek counsel from minority owner Tom Brady, among others. 

The Raiders have regressed since transitioning from inexperienced head coach Antonio Pierce to Carroll, who has won a Super Bowl and a track record of rebuilding programs. At best, Vegas can match its 4-13 record from the previous season.

Carroll admitted he misjudged the team's path to contention. At 74 years old, his timeline doesn't match a turnaround that could take a few seasons. If the Raiders view that as an issue, they may prefer a much younger head coach.

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, there's a disconnect between general manager John Spytek and Carroll. Aside from running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' 2025 rookie class played limited snaps until the team dealt with key injuries.

If Spytek and Carroll aren't aligned on the roster's rebuilding process, the Raiders will likely replace the latter. Schultz noted Spytek signed a five-year contract, and Carroll inked a three-year deal.

Among the potential replacements for Carroll, Mike LaFleur makes the most sense. Las Vegas may find it challenging to entice a top candidate without the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. It needs a quarterback plan. Geno Smith is playing his worst football in the first term of the three-year deal. Kenny Pickett will be a free agent in 2026.

LaFleur isn't the hottest name among the young candidates, but the Raiders should think highly of Sean McVay's coaching tree. 

LaFleur's older brother, Matt, also served as McVay's offensive coordinator before becoming the Green Bay Packers head coach in 2019. Kevin O'Connell held the same position before he accepted the Minnesota Vikings' head coaching position in 2022. Both are winning more than 62 percent of their games as leaders of NFC North squads.

LaFleur has been an offensive coordinator for five years, two seasons with the New York Jets and three with the Rams. 

After a swing-and-miss with Carroll, the Raiders need new blood, innovative ideas and an updated outlook. LaFleur could be a breath of fresh air for a franchise in need of a spark.

Miami Dolphins: Green Bay Packers OC Adam Stenavich

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel's job security has been the topic of discussion for months. In October, the team fired general manager Chris Grier, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched after a Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2024, the Dolphins signed McDaniel to an extension through the 2028 term, but with all the changes around him, he could be the next domino to fall in Miami.

NFL insiders have shared conflicting reports about his future.

On the one hand, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes he's safe for another year.

Yet ESPN's Adam Schefter shared a different perspective. 

"I know that people are saying Mike McDaniel is safe but I don't think any decisions have been made..," Schefter told The Pat McAfee Show.

"We'll see how that plays out because nothing has been decided there." 

If the Dolphins go through a full sweep of general manager, head coach and quarterback, they should target an up-and-coming replacement for McDaniel.

Under Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Adam Stenavich has been an offensive line coach, run game coordinator and offensive coordinator.

In a profile of head-coaching candidates, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero highlighted Stenavich's widespread impact on the Packers offense, which has ranked in the top 10 in scoring over the last three seasons.

"He handles most of Green Bay's run game and works with not only the offensive line, but the quarterbacks, too," Pellissero wrote.

Stenavich wouldn't be an exciting hire, but he could be a logical fit for a team that will likely remake its offense with a new starting quarterback next season.

New York Giants: Former Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

The New York Giants will finish the season with interim head coach Mike Kafka, though he's unlikely to get the full-time role. Since he took over for Brian Daboll, the Giants are 0-5, and they're averaging 16.3 points in their last three outings. Also, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is regressing, coming off his worst outing of the season with just 33 passing yards.

Big Blue will draw several suitors to an appealing vacancy. 

Dart has shown promise, throwing for 1,835 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 62.1 percent completion rate. He's also rushed for 407 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Secondly, Big Blue may have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. If the Giants lose to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, they will hold the top selection with one week left in the campaign.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Giants have Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman on their list of candidates. Big Blue, a traditional franchise, would make a tidal-wave splash if it were to pluck a coach from the college ranks.

Since the Tom Coughlin years, the Giants have struggled to find stability, and when they retained Brian Daboll this past offseason, players were surprised by the decision.

The Giants need an established lead skipper who can provide a clear direction. Mike McCarthy would be the best fit for what this franchise needs after firing its fourth head coach in eight years.

As a lead skipper, McCarthy has a winning record (174-112-2). As an offensive-minded coach, he helped develop Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott led the league in multiple passing categories.

Most fanbases want a young offensive head-coaching candidate, but you can't overlook McCarthy's results with two high-profile franchises. He won a Super Bowl with the Packers. On his watch, the Cowboys went 12-5 in three consecutive years, winning two NFC East titles.

Tennessee Titans: Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

The Tennessee Titans will hire their second head coach in three years. They fired Brian Callahan six weeks into this season and then lost six consecutive games under interim head coach Mike McCoy, but they've won two of the last three. 

Rookie quarterback Cam Ward is showing improvement despite a subpar supporting cast, throwing for six touchdowns and an interception over the last three weeks.  

Ward's potential and recent progress may attract top head coaching candidates. That said, Tennessee must show patience with its new hire. The franchise has gone through constant turnover in key leadership positions. Callahan didn't finish his second term, and Tennessee has had three general managers since 2022.

Candidates may be wary of the Titans' instability, but Tennessee will have a young signal-caller, a high draft pick and over $105 million in cap space, which should be enough to land a quality coach to work with Ward.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is a "serious candidate" for Tennessee's vacancy. 

While in Kansas City for 15 years, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi held scouting and front-office positions, so it makes sense that the team is connected to a Chiefs assistant. Russini also reported that the team will reach out to several defensive coordinators.

With this year's No. 1 overall pick, the Titans should swing for the fences, though. If Klint Kubiak shows any interest, the team's brain trust should do what it takes to hire him. He's calling plays for the Seattle Seahawks' No. 3 scoring offense, and within his system, quarterback Sam Darnold is performing at a Pro Bowl level.

A Kubiak-Ward combination could yield results similar to the Chicago Bears bringing in Ben Johnson to work with 2024 No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. 

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.