Latest NFL Rumors and Fresh Predictions for Raiders, Steelers, Dolphins' HC Searches

The NFL head coaching carousel continues to turn, with the New York Giants signing Jim Harbaugh and the Atlanta Falcons signing Kevin Stefanski to fill their vacancies.

The Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins are three storied franchises still hunting for their next leader.

What is the latest on those jobs and who might those organizations land?

Find out with these latest reports from the league's most trusted insiders, including predictions for each.

Raiders Interviewing Mike McDaniel

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The Las Vegas Raiders will not only be in Miami to watch potential No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza lead Indiana against the hometown Hurricanes, but they will also interview former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel earlier in the day, per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.

McDaniel would be the latest head coaching candidate to interview with the organization, joining Kevin Stefanski, Matt Nagy, Davis Webb, Vance Joseph, Klint Kubiak, Jesse Minter, Ejiro Evero, Jeff Hafley, Chris Shula, Nate Scheelhaase, and Mike LaFleur.

The Raiders went 3-14 in 2025, a record that would lead to head coach Pete Carroll's dismissal after just one season with the team.

McDaniel was 35-33 in his four years with the Dolphins, with two playoff appearances.

A frustrating start to the 2025 campaign, an injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, inconsistent play from Tua Tagovailoa and a deteriorating relationship with his starting quarterback led to a 7-10 finish and McDaniel's departure from the organization.

While a head coaching position is not out of the question, McDaniel rose to prominence around the league for his work as offensive coordinator with the 2021 San Francisco 49ers.

With several playoff-caliber teams looking for a new offensive coordinator, McDaniel would be better suited to remind the league of what captured their attention in the first place and join a team like the Philadelphia Eagles or Detroit Lions before returning to the sidelines as a head coach.

Prediction: McDaniel joins a playoff-ready squad as an offensive coordinator, with potential head coaching opportunities in 2027

Mike Tomlin Not Coaching in 2026

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The Pittsburgh Steelers retain Mike Tomlin's rights if he decides to coach in 2026, but it appears that will not be the case. Ian Rapoport reported that Tomlin will not coach next season but will instead opt to spend time with his family.

The report mentions that Tomlin would become a big candidate in 2027.

Tomlin went 193-114-2 in his 19 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he did have one Super Bowl win and another appearance, he accumulated an 8-12 playoff record, including five consecutive double-digit postseason losses.

Those recent failures in the postseason, coupled with three consecutive 10-7 seasons that ended in playoff losses, likely led to Tomlin stepping down as head coach.

An acclaimed coach for his leadership skills, who has never had a losing season, he will likely have plenty of suitors as soon as he informs other teams that he is open to returning to the sidelines. Until then, do not be surprised to see him sitting behind a broadcast table at some point in 2026.

As for the Steelers, a head coaching candidate with an offensive mindset would represent a fresh start, although the team has been defined by its defense throughout its long and illustrious history.

Prediction: Tomlin sits out 2026, joins a playoff-contending team as head coach in 2027; Pittsburgh hires Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula as the next head coach

Frontrunner Emerges in Dolphins Head Coach Hunt

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Pelissero reported that there is a frontrunner in the Dolphins' head coach hunt, noting, "Packers DC Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job, per sources."

Hafley oversaw the league's 12th-best defensive unit in Green Bay. The Packers' squad allowed 311.8 yards per game and 21.2 points.

The Packers' defensive coordinator has had stops in Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and San Francisco before moving to college where he joined the Ohio State staff and eventually became the Boston College head coach. He returned to the NFL with the Packers in 2024.

After four seasons under an offensive-minded head coach in McDaniel, it makes sense that the organization would look to hire a defensive coach in an attempt to return to prominence and championship-winning football in Miami.

Prediction: Hafley is the next head coach for the Miami Dolphins