Fresh NFL Rumors and Updated Predictions for Steelers, Giants, Raiders, Dolphins, More HC Vacancies

At this point on the NFL calendar, the coaching carousel is essentially in a state of perpetual motion.

One day, it's Mike Tomlin stepping away from the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 years at the helm. Another, it's John Harbaugh reportedly "finalizing" a deal to take over the New York Giants, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

These coaching searches can take a while, but their resolutions can happen in a hurry. And not always in ways you'd expect.

With that in mind, let's bounce around the football world for the latest whispers about current vacancies.

Steelers Eyeing Brian Flores?

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Pittsburgh might be the newest coach-seeker, but it already has at least one candidate in mind. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

The 44-year-old spent the past three seasons overseeing Minnesota's defense, and in the campaign prior to that (2022), he was a linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant with the Steelers. He's had one head coaching job in this league, piloting the Miami Dolphins from 2019 through 2021 and posting two winning records along the way.

His creativity and aggressiveness feel like easy fits for the Steelers, and Pittsburgh, in turn, seems like a more fitting setting for him than Miami did. This could have some real legs.

Prediction: Steelers hire Brian Flores.

Raiders Thinking Offense?

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The Las Vegas Raiders are forever throwing things at the wall and thinking one of them has to eventually stick. After Pete Carroll's one-and-done run with the club, the Raiders are in search of their sixth different head coach since 2021.

Maybe this offseason will be the one the finally brings some stability to the silver and black. The Raiders have the No. 1 pick and gobs of space. There's quick-fix potential here if everything breaks right.

Las Vegas has seemingly prioritized an offensive coach, as four of its first five interviews leaned that direction: Kevin Stefanski, Matt Nagy, Davis Webb and Klint Kubiak. (Vance Joseph was the exception.) Prioritizing point-production feels like the way Las Vegas will go.

Prediction: Raiders hire Klint Kubiak.

Dolphins Considering Familiar Face?

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Anthony Campanile was the Miami Dolphins linebackers coach from 2020 to 2023. Could he soon be in charge of the whole operation?

Well, ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques reported that the Dolphins have requested to interview Campanile for their head coach vacancy. Louis-Jacques also noted that Campanile "has been on a meteoric rise" since leaving Miami, highlighting how his first season as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator saw them rank first in run defense and second in takeaways.

After just splitting from Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins might prefer a defense-focused coach, and Campanile would clearly check that box. Still, he doesn't seem like the most likely hire.

Prediction: Dolphins hire Jeff Hafley.

Ravens, Titans Fighting for Robert Saleh?

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Robert Saleh's second stint as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator could be a short one. He's done such a good job holding this young, injury-impacted defense together that he might soon have an entire franchise under his control.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Saleh plans to interview with both the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. "There are others" interested, Rapoport added, but these two teams were the first to get interviews.

Clearly, the NFL has put a lot more stock in Saleh's wildly successful runs in San Francisco than his struggles to win in three-plus seasons with the New York Jets. As it should. The Jets' challenges ran way beyond their head coach—they just lost 14 games in their first season without him—and the 49ers' ability to overcome adversity is largely owed to the coaching staff.

While the Titans can put together an interesting sales pitch (particularly to anyone who believes in 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward), but Baltimore offers a greater opportunity to win right now. Given that Saleh could never get things off the ground in New York, the chance to hit the ground running in Baltimore has to sound awfully appealing.

Prediction: Ravens hire Robert Saleh.