All articles tagged with #nfl coaching search
NFL coach-in-waiting Klint Kubiak is set to interview with the Raiders and Cardinals, with insiders mixed: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says he would prefer the Raiders if both jobs are offered, while Adam Schefter asserts he’ll land one of the two posts, leaving Seattle’s chances and the Seahawks move speculation in the air as his family has just moved to the Northwest.
Buffalo completed an interview with Nate Scheelhaase as part of a nine-candidate head coach search; Scheelhaase, the Rams' passing game coordinator since 2024 and former Iowa State OC, has also interviewed with the Browns, with other contenders including Lou Anarumo, Joe Brady, Brian Daboll, and more remaining in contention.
Grant Udinski has withdrawn from the Browns’ head coaching search after agreeing to remain Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator, keeping him in contention for the Buffalo Bills’ vacancy. The 30-year-old had been considered a finalist after two interviews, but Cleveland’s list of candidates remains, including Jim Schwartz, Todd Monken, Anthony Lynn, and Nate Scheelhaase, with Scheelhaase set for an in-person interview in Los Angeles after the Rams’ NFC title game. Cleveland had fired Kevin Stefanski earlier this month, and Stefanski has since been named Falcons head coach.
Green Bay’s defensive coordinator search has been slow (four interviews so far), but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports mutual interest between the Packers and Broncos assistant head coach/defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard for the DC vacancy. Leonhard, a Wisconsin native with deep college ties, also drew interest from the Cowboys and Jets this cycle. Because Denver is in the playoffs, Green Bay’s earliest opportunity to interview is next week, between the Broncos’ run and the bye period; the article notes Leonhard’s prior path as a top candidate in 2019 and his NFL coaching arc, including a successful 2024 season with the Broncos (18.3 PPG allowed, third in the NFL).
The Miami Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley as their new head coach, a figure in high demand from multiple NFL teams; the decision was aided by GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, and Hafley chose Miami after weighing options as other teams — including the Titans — pursued him.
Buffalo is set to interview Mike McDaniel for its head coach opening, even though he recently became the Chargers’ offensive coordinator. The in-person interview follows his withdrawal from the Browns’ pursuit, and Allen is slated to participate with significant input as Buffalo continues a multi-candidate HC search involving owner Terry Pegula and GM Brandon Beane.
Buffalo Bills, after firing Sean McDermott, are interviewing Philip Rivers for their vacant head-coach position. Rivers, who returned from retirement to start three games for the Colts in 2025, is among a group of candidates that includes Joe Brady, Brian Daboll, and Lou Anarumo as Buffalo and several other teams pursue new coaches.
Buffalo Bills’ 2026 head coach search kicked off with a public interview tracker on Jan. 21; updates will follow after each candidate interview. By Jan. 22, Brian Daboll — a former Giants head coach who previously coached Buffalo’s offense (2018–21) — had completed an interview, while OC Joe Brady was the first candidate to meet with the team. Brady helped lead a high-scoring Bills offense (30.6 PPG in 2024 and 28.3 PPG in 2025) and has developed a strong rapport with QB Josh Allen. The piece also includes social posts and related links as the process unfolds.
NFL reporter Jason La Canfora says Chargers DC Jesse Minter is the heavy favorite to become the Baltimore Ravens' next head coach, citing his Ravens ties and recent defensive success; the Steelers' coaching search continues with multiple candidates in play after Hafley moved on to the Dolphins, and Minter's potential Ravens hire could shift Pittsburgh's plans as they weigh other names such as McCarthy and Flores.
The Steelers are in a wide-open head coach search, with in-person interviews already conducted with Brian Flores and Mike McCarthy (Anthony Weaver interview pending) and the potential for in-person talks with Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase; Mark Maske identifies Flores, Shula, and McCarthy as the leading contenders, Flores being free to sign elsewhere, Shula fitting the Steelers’ young, defensive-minded profile as a first-time head coach, and the process remaining open-ended as postseason timing dictates.
In the Steelers' 2026 coaching search, Ben Roethlisberger endorsed Mike McCarthy as a veteran offensive-minded coach with Pittsburgh ties, while cautioning about his long-term commitment; the endorsement comes as Art Rooney II weighs candidates, and Roethlisberger even floated a potential return for Aaron Rodgers if McCarthy is hired.
The Tennessee Titans completed in-person second interviews with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as part of their ongoing head-coach search; Nagy had previously interviewed virtually, while Saleh’s interview was in person after an initial virtual slot. The Titans have interviewed roughly 15 candidates in the first two weeks of the process. Nagy is a former Bears HC (2018-21) now coordinating Kansas City’s offense, while Saleh has a long NFL résumé that includes Jets head coach experience and a return to the 49ers as DC.
The Browns are midway through second interviews for a new head coach, with Jim Schwartz’s future uncertain. If Schwartz departs, Cleveland reportedly could promote safeties coach Ephraim Banda to defensive coordinator while pairing him with a younger head coach candidate, a plan highlighted by Mary Kay Cabot. Banda has prior DC experience at Miami (FL) and Utah State. Other interviewed candidates include Todd Monken, Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, Grant Udinski, and Nate Scheelhaase, though Scheelhaase cannot interview until Jan. 26 due to the Rams’ NFC Championship run. The situation also touches on whether the team should honor Schwartz’s contract and how much top-level coaching experience the next regime will require.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving forward with in-person interviews for their head coach opening, interviewing Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. This comes after the NFL's rule requiring virtual interviews for coaches currently employed by NFL teams until after the divisional playoffs; the Steelers have also spoken with several other candidates, including Mike McCarthy, Chris Shula, Nate Scheelhaase, Jesse Minter, Jeff Hafley, and Klay Kubiak, though Shula and Scheelhaase cannot participate in second interviews until after the NFC Championship Game.
Miami has completed several interviews for its next head coach and, per Adam Schefter, Matt LaFleur is the top name to watch as the Packers’ situation remains 'up in the air.' The Dolphins have also spoken with Klint Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, and Jeff Hafley; a decision isn’t imminent. A potential trade for LaFleur could be explored if Green Bay moves on, but cap and roster concerns complicate a first-round deal, and LaFleur’s interest depends on Miami’s roster, cap situation, and quarterback situation.