**NFL Coaching Carousel 2026: Why So Many Head Coaches Were Fired This Week**
Key Takeaways:
- Seven NFL head coaches have been fired since Black Monday, including major names like John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel.
- Coordinators and general managers have also been removed across the league as non-playoff teams shake up leadership.
- Several top candidates, such as Brian Flores and Matt Nagy, are receiving multiple interview requests.
New York, NY — The trending search “nfl coaches fired this year” reflects a massive wave of firings across the NFL, with at least seven head coaches officially ousted by their teams since Sunday. Major moves included the Miami Dolphins parting with head coach Mike McDaniel and the Baltimore Ravens surprisingly dismissing John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl title.
League-Wide Reset Hits Top Coaches
Firing season in the NFL usually hits hard after the regular season ends, but the 2026 cycle has been especially brutal. Among the most notable dismissals:
- Mike McDaniel (Dolphins): Fired Thursday after a 7–10 season, despite rallying from a 1–6 start.
- John Harbaugh (Ravens): Let go Tuesday after failing to make the playoffs; had coached the team since 2008.
- Kevin Stefanski (Browns): Fired Monday amid another losing season and ongoing QB instability.
- Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals): Dismissed after three seasons of defensive struggles and poor draft results.
- Pete Carroll (Raiders): Fired Monday after a disastrous 3–14 season in his first year with Las Vegas.
- Raheem Morris (Falcons): Let go Sunday along with GM Terry Fontenot despite a strong finish to the season.
- Brian Callahan (Titans): Fired before Week 18 after repeated off-field missteps and poor offensive performance.
Additionally, coordinators like Matt Eberflus (Cowboys DC), Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC), and Josh Grizzard (Bucs OC) were also shown the door as teams reshuffle their entire coaching staffs.
Years of Underperformance and High Stakes Drive Decisions
The surge in firings reflects deep frustration among ownership circles after years of inconsistency, playoff droughts, and QB failures. The Deshaun Watson trade continues to haunt Stefanski and the Browns, while the Cardinals’ faith in Gannon’s defensive rebuild never materialized. Harbaugh’s tenure ended not for lack of legacy but a belief the team had stalled under his leadership, despite having Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
Several other dismissals were more tactical in nature—such as McDaniel’s—where late-season rallies weren’t enough to overcome early losses. Meanwhile, rising player frustrations, like that of Raiders star Maxx Crosby, also contributed to front office evaluations.
Top Coaching Prospects Emerge Amid Intense Interview Schedule
Vacant jobs are piling up, and candidates are flooding the cycle. Matt Nagy, Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, and Klint Kubiak have already booked multiple interviews. The Ravens, Raiders, Titans, Giants, and Falcons are among those holding formal talks with candidates this week. Interviews for high-profile positions may stretch into next week, especially for those still coaching postseason teams.
Some teams are also changing front-office leadership. The Dolphins, for example, are set to hire a new general manager in the next 48 hours before conducting head-coach interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is nfl coaches fired this year trending?
A: A historic number of NFL head coaches and coordinators were dismissed within days of the regular season ending, including some high-profile names like John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel.
Q: What happens next?
A: Interviews are ongoing; most teams hope to lock in new coaching hires within the next two to three weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft preparations begin in earnest.
#NFL2026
