.jpg)
Kingsbury, Stefanski, McDaniel's Updated Landing Spots with Giants Reportedly to Hire Harbaugh
One of the marquee jobs in this NFL head coach hiring cycle has reportedly been filled, leaving several prime candidates to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a head coaching job.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night that the New York Giants were finalizing an agreement with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to make him the organization's next head coach.
With the Giants off the board, three of the top offensive minds available in Kliff Kingsbury, Kevin Stefanski and Mike McDaniel have one less head coaching job available to them.
Here is a rundown of the potential landing spots for Kingsbury, Stefanski and McDaniel should they get another opportunity to prove their worth as NFL head coaches.
Kliff Kingsbury
1 of 3.jpg)
As one of the top offensive coaches available, Kingsbury could be a leading head coaching candidate for teams looking to either improve or sustain success on that side of the ball.
From Kingsbury's perspective, the Baltimore Ravens may be the best fit due to the presence of two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens completed an interview with Kingsbury this week, and while it isn't known where he stands in the pecking order of candidates, his track record suggests that he could have enormous success working with Jackson.
During his time as head coach of the Cardinals, Kingsbury went just 28-37-1 and only reached the playoffs once, but quarterback Kyler Murray had some of his best seasons during that time.
Kingsbury also worked wonders with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during his rookie season in 2024 while Kingsbury was offensive coordinator.
Daniels was a Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he helped lead the Commanders to a surprise appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
Both Murray and Daniels are dual threats like Jackson, and Kingsbury has a proven track record of working with that style of quarterback.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward relies on his legs far less than the aforementioned quarterbacks, but he is mobile in his own right, and he is undoubtedly an exciting talent.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Ward showed flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie season, and there is reason to believe Kingsbury could help take him to the next level, much like he did with Daniels during his rookie campaign.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Titans requested an interview with Kingsbury, so he is very much on their radar.
Kingsbury has no other known head coaching interviews lined up, but the Miami Dolphins are another potential landing spot for him should they decide to add him to their list of candidates.
Miami's quarterback situation is in flux after Tua Tagovailoa's struggles this season, but the Dolphins still have some elite offensive talent in running back De'Von Achane, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, should the latter return in 2026.
Regardless of who the quarterback is, those are the type of skill-position players with which Kingsbury can wreak havoc.
Kevin Stefanski
2 of 3.jpg)
As a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has quickly established himself as one of the top head coaches available.
The Browns parted ways with Stefanski after he went 45-56 over six seasons, but he did lead them to a pair of playoff appearances, marking the franchise's first two postseason trips since 2002.
One organization that hasn't sniffed the playoffs in quite some time is the Atlanta Falcons, and Stefanski is very much on their radar as they already completed a head coaching interview with him.
Stefanski is a longtime offensive coach, and there is plenty to work with on that side of the ball in Atlanta.
All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson leads the way in that regard, along with star wide receiver Drake London. Tight end Kyle Pitts would also be a fun weapon for Stefanski to utilize should he re-sign with the Falcons.
The quarterback situation is a question mark after Michael Penix Jr. struggled and then got injured last season, but given his background, Stefanski may be better equipped than anyone else to get the most out of Penix.
Stefanski has also interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job after they parted ways with Mike McDaniel.
Often praised as an offensive guru, McDaniel helped the likes of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running back De'Von Achane and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle enjoy career years at various points during his four-year run.
The future of Tagovailoa and Hill in Miami remains unclear, but even if neither of them are with the team next season, Achane and Waddle present an exciting offensive core for Stefanski to work with.
Of the teams Stefanski has been linked to, the Baltimore Ravens give him the best chance to win right away.
The Ravens, who have already interviewed Stefanski, surprisingly fired John Harbaugh after 18 years on the job.
Baltimore went 8-9 and missed the playoffs this season, but much of that can be attributed to superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson missing multiple games due to injury.
Stefanski would have the opportunity to work with a two-time NFL MVP in Jackson, as well as one of the greatest running backs of all time in Derrick Henry, a dynamic playmaker at wide receiver in Zay Flowers and one of the best tight ends of his era in Mark Andrews.
There is work to be done on the offensive line and on defense, but there is no team with a head coaching vacancy that has a better offensive core than the one Baltimore can offer Stefanski.
Mike McDaniel
3 of 3.jpg)
After going 35-33 and making the playoffs twice in four seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel was fired at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season.
Early returns were great for McDaniel in Miami, as he led the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, and he coached the league's No. 1 offense in 2023.
However, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa both dealing with injuries and struggling, the Miami offense dropped off significantly over the past two seasons, ranking 22nd in 2024 and 25th in 2025.
Still, McDaniel is considered one of the best offensive minds in football, so it comes as little surprise that the head coaching interviews have been rolling in.
McDaniel reportedly interviewed with the Tennessee Titans this week, and an argument can be made that it would be the best fit for all parties involved.
The Titans have been among the worst offensive teams in football in recent years, but they finally seem to have found their franchise quarterback in 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
Ward did a lot of good things as a rookie, but he still has a ton of developing to do as well, and there is reason to believe that McDaniel's offensive system could perhaps unlock much of the potential that Ward has yet to realize.
McDaniel has also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, who seem to present an even bigger challenge than the Titans.
The Browns have the benefit of two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, as well as a supremely talented defense led by single-season sack king Myles Garrett, but the offense leaves plenty to be desired.
Rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel both struggled this season, and while veteran Deshaun Watson is in line to return next season, he wasn't playing particularly well even before he tore his Achilles.
It is fair to wonder how high the Browns are on McDaniel's wish list given their relative lack of offensive talent, but because of what he was able to do with Tagovailoa during his first two seasons in Miami, it is understandable why the Browns have expressed interest.
The parallels between the Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons suggest that McDaniel could potentially hit the ground running if he lands the Falcons' head coaching job following his interview with the team.
Like the Dolphins, the Falcons have some high-end offensive skill players for McDaniel to work with in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.
They also have a highly drafted, lefty quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. who has yet to firmly establish himself as the franchise guy, much like Tagovailoa before McDaniel's arrival in Miami.
While Tua did not sustain his success, McDaniel instantly made him a viable NFL quarterback, and it isn't outside the realm of possibility he could do the same with Penix.
.jpg)



.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)

.jpg)