2026 HC CAROUSEL-MUSICAL CHAIRS BEGINS

Seems like I remember doing something like this last year. There weren't quite as many openings last year though. So -- THIS year there are currently nine (9), count 'em, nine HC openings so far. And the season is not over. Interviews are just now starting for the teams that are not currently involved in the playoffs. Coaches of teams that played last week can do video interviews and live interviews can start tomorrow (I think..??).

Anyway here is a list (currently) of the teams that will be on the hunt for a HC.


ARIZONA CARDINALS -- Fired HC Jonathon Gannon (3 years - 15-36 W-L record (reg. season))

ATLANTA FALCONS -- Fired HC Raheem Morris (2 years - 16-18 W-L record (reg. season))

BALTIMORE RAVENS -- Fired HC John Harbaugh (18 years - 180-113 W-L record (reg. season) 13-11 W-L (playoffs) - 1 Super Bowl)

CLEVELAND BROWNS -- Fired HC Kevin Stefanski (6 years - 45-56 W-L record (reg. season) 1-2 W-L (playoffs))

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS -- Fired HC Pete Carroll (1 year - 3-14 W-L record (reg. season))

MIAMI DOLPHINS -- Fired HC Mike McDaniel (4 years - 35-33 W-L record (reg. season) 0-2 W-L (playoffs))

NY GIANTS -- Fired HC Brian Daboll (Mid-season - 3 1/2 years - 20-40-1 W-L record (reg.season) 1-1 W-L (playoffs))

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -- HC Mike Tomlin resigned (19 years - 193-114-2 W-L record (reg. season) 8-12 W-L (playoffs) - 1 Super Bowl)

TENNESSEE TITANS -- Fired HC Brian Callahan (Mid-season - 1 1/2 years - 4-19 W-L record (reg.season))


There are several HCs here that are surprising and a couple of them are VERY surprising. Both John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin are shocking. Harbaugh was fired and Tomlin QUIT. In addition, Pete Carroll surprised me because he wasn't really given a chance. He was like a sacrificial lamb. Strange....  Raheem Morris (Falcons) surprised me as well. Only two years and the Falcons had started to 'jell'. They looked pretty decent the last half of the year.

So what are you thinking about these HCs. Who gets another chance in 2026 ..... and where.??  Who are the rest of these teams going to hire...?? New, untested HCs..??

Harbaugh of course gets a job. Gets his pick. Hope it is NY.

Tomlin wants a break. Stefanski??? 50/50.

I think Carroll retires or takes a front office or consulting job.

Wild thought...McDaniel with Jim Harbaugh.  Could they coexist?

Harbaugh of course gets a job. Gets his pick. Hope it is NY.

Tomlin wants a break. Stefanski??? 50/50.

I think Carroll retires or takes a front office or consulting job.

Wild thought...McDaniel with Jim Harbaugh.  Could they coexist?

Hmmm...

So, what are you thinking..??  McDaniel leaves the AO and heads out west as an OC for the Bolts..???  If so, it's an interesting idea if you can make the HC vibe disappear from around McDaniel.  All the Chargers really need is a solid OC. Their Offense could be sterling, as they have the personnel. Not sure Mike McD would want to take the 'demotion' although he should have the chops for it. Four years as a HC and five years before that with the 49ers as OC and -- ??? (Passing game - Receivers - something like that..??)

Tell me what you're thinking..

Harbaugh of course gets a job. Gets his pick. Hope it is NY.

Tomlin wants a break. Stefanski??? 50/50.

I think Carroll retires or takes a front office or consulting job.

Wild thought...McDaniel with Jim Harbaugh.  Could they coexist?

Hmmm...

So, what are you thinking..??  McDaniel leaves the AO and heads out west as an OC for the Bolts..???  If so, it's an interesting idea if you can make the HC vibe disappear from around McDaniel.  All the Chargers really need is a solid OC. Their Offense could be sterling, as they have the personnel. Not sure Mike McD would want to take the 'demotion' although he should have the chops for it. Four years as a HC and five years before that with the 49ers as OC and -- ??? (Passing game - Receivers - something like that..??)

Tell me what you're thinking..

I am thinking McDaniel will not get a HC gig for a while.  While seeing him as Charger OC would be fun...don't think Harbaugh could handle it.

So, what are you thinking..??  McDaniel leaves the AO and heads out west as an OC for the Bolts..???  If so, it's an interesting idea if you can make the HC vibe disappear from around McDaniel.  All the Chargers really need is a solid OC. Their Offense could be sterling, as they have the personnel. Not sure Mike McD would want to take the 'demotion' although he should have the chops for it. Four years as a HC and five years before that with the 49ers as OC and -- ??? (Passing game - Receivers - something like that..??)

Tell me what you're thinking..

I am thinking McDaniel will not get a HC gig for a while.  While seeing him as Charger OC would be fun...don't think Harbaugh could handle it.

Yeah, you're probably right. McDaniel is one of the ones I mentioned up there that surprised me a little. I really thought that he would get another year (at least). He inherited a bad situation behind Flores (??). Tua was a mistake, much like BY. I've said it many times and I won't back away from it now. McD DID however seem to help Tua for a bit, but he was destined for mediocrity, and that's where he has ended up. His record down there is not terrible, but not "highlight reel" either. I think he could really shine with an "Offense forward" scheme.

Everything I've heard seems to indicate that he is an intellectual type and excels with the playbook. He may be too lenient/casual with his players, and that may have been part of his undoing. So, he probably WOULD clash a bit with Harbaugh's "no nonsense" philosophy.

Yep -- You're probably right. I DO believe that McD could be a masterful OC though. As long as he worked under a HC who 'understood' the "why" as well as the "what". He's a thinking man's coach.

Wild thought...McDaniel with Jim Harbaugh.  Could they coexist?

Tell me what you're thinking..

I am thinking McDaniel will not get a HC gig for a while.  While seeing him as Charger OC would be fun...don't think Harbaugh could handle it.

LOLOL --- ROTFLMAO...

Can you believe it..???  THIS ^^^ wild and weird possibility has just come to pass.!!  OR, at least it is supposed to be happening (If you can believe Adam Schefter).  Apparently McD has cancelled other upcoming interviews in favor of the OC position with the Chargers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/for...73af7bafad

I don't know where you pulled that one from, LP -- But... GOOD JOB.!!  I guess Harbaugh CAN handle it.!!

Just funny

Wild thought...McDaniel with Jim Harbaugh.  Could they coexist?

Tell me what you're thinking..

I am thinking McDaniel will not get a HC gig for a while.  While seeing him as Charger OC would be fun...don't think Harbaugh could handle it.

LOLOL --- ROTFLMAO...

Can you believe it..???  THIS ^^^ wild and weird possibility has just come to pass.!!  OR, at least it is supposed to be happening (If you can believe Adam Schefter).  Apparently McD has cancelled other upcoming interviews in favor of the OC position with the Chargers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/for...73af7bafad

I don't know where you pulled that one from, LP -- But... GOOD JOB.!!  I guess Harbaugh CAN handle it.!!

lol....maybe his brother getting canned shook Jimmy up a bit.  Chargers offense needs a lot of help.  McD probably ready for some comfort food...home to Cali and a talented QB who has been underperforming.  Harbaugh getting a little more humble in his old age?

Glad he kept McD out of the NFC South.