Having a good coach is essential in the NFL, and finding one can be one of the most challenging parts of being a GM. Some teams spend decades looking for a coach who can help lead them to playoff success, while other teams do whatever it takes to hang on to some of the best coaches in football. Teams like the Chiefs, Rams, 49ers, and Packers have some of the NFL’s premier coaching staffs, and each of them consistently finishes near the top of the league.
Now that we have reached the offseason and Black Monday (the day after the last game of the season when coaches are fired) has passed, we know how many openings there are across the NFL. For teams like the Giants and Titans, the search has been underway for some time, while for others, the search for a winning coach has just begun. While many people are looking at which candidates are the best, today I looked at which openings are most desirable for coaches seeking success.
1. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens fired John Harbaugh at the last minute on Tuesday, and the opening in Baltimore will become the most highly coveted job in football. There is not much work to be done to keep the Ravens in playoff contention, and it all starts with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. They also would inherit one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL in Derrick Henry, who, paired with Lamar Jackson, has created one of the best run games in the NFL. This, alongside guys like Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews, makes the Ravens offense one of the safest bets out there.
Rebuilding the defense will be a different project, and any new coach will have to start building from the ground up. The Baltimore defense was one of the worst in the NFL this season, but despite this, there are still several players a defensive coach could get excited about. Kyle Hamilton and Malachi Starks make up one of the best safety duos in football, and other young pieces like Trenton Simpson, Nate Wiggins, and Travis Jones have shown flashes. I think the Ravens ideally should hire a defensive coach to help rebuild, since their offense is already very talented and does not need to be overly complex to succeed.
Prediction: Brian Flores
2. New York Giants
I don’t think there should be much debate about who takes number two, as the Giants franchise has several fun young pieces for a new coach to work with going forward. The offense features several young playmakers in Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Cam Skattebo, and the team is led by its 2025 first-round pick, Jaxson Dart. On defense, the Giants have one of the best defensive lines in football, featuring a top-notch nose tackle and three high-quality edge rushers who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
The team also has future assets: it holds the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft and has its franchise left tackle, Andrew Thomas, locked down through 2029. New York is also in a very winnable division, with the NFC East being riddled with inconsistencies this offseason. The Giants’ job is a high-pressure position, but one that can yield significant rewards for the candidate who lands it.
Prediction: John Harbaugh
3. Tennessee Titans
Just as I felt that it was clear in the first two spots on these rankings, the Titans are just as clearly deserving of the third spot. Getting to work with the 2025 first overall pick, Cam Ward, will be very appealing to any offensive coach, and with several other promising players on the roster, the Titans’ job could be very lucrative. Outside of Cam Ward, the Titans have some interesting young playmakers such as Tyjae Spears, Elic Ayomannor, and Chimere Dike, all of whom have shown signs of being impact players. The offensive line will need to be rebuilt, but there is some promise on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Jeffery Simmons is one of the best defensive tackles in football, and alongside T’Vondre Sweat, they make up a strong interior for the future. They lack pass rush off the edge, and the secondary is in dire need of a complete overhaul, but they hold the number four pick in the draft and will have a chance to do some retooling this offseason. Tennessee fired its coach in the middle of the season this year, and GM Mike Borgonzi has spent a lot of time putting together a list of his top candidates. When they are done, someone may step into an excellent situation.
Prediction: Matt Nagy
4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ job has gotten a lot of love online, with some people saying it is the best available opening in the league. Atlanta finished 8-9 this season, and owner Arthur Blank decided to wipe the board and start from scratch, firing both head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot. On defense, there is a lot of hope, as the new coach will inherit two of the best rookies in football, James Pierce Jr. and Jalon Walker. Atlanta also has a star outside corner in AJ Terrell Jr., as well as several other intriguing pieces to work with going forward.
The offense is where things get shaky, and if it were not for them having the best running back in football, Bijan Robinson, it would be a complete dumpster fire. The QB position is a headache as the coach will have to decide if he wants to go with former top 10 pick Michael Penix, who is returning from a third ACL injury, or if he would rather play 37-year-old Kirk Cousins, who is on the hook for ~90 million over the next two years. They will likely lose Kyle Pitts to free agency, and the only real weapon in Atlanta outside of Bijan Robinson is WR Drake London. The team is also without a first-round pick, which makes this position somewhat unique, and any new coach will need to align with the new GM on the franchise’s next steps.
Prediction: Kevin Stefanski
5. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders’ job is very polarizing: while they were the worst team in the NFL this season, they also have the number one overall pick in the draft and several talented young players. Whichever coach comes to Las Vegas will have three main priorities: hanging onto Maxx Crosby, who is one of the NFL’s premier DEs, rebuilding the offensive line, and deciding which QB to take number one overall. While many of these decisions will come down to GM John Spytek, the Raiders’ new coach will have significant influence over each situation and will play a major role in who they hire.
There are several young players for a new coach to be excited about, beginning with their last two first-round picks, RB Ashton Jeanty and TE Brock Bowers. Jeanty was one of the best RB prospects we have seen this decade, and Bowers is perhaps the best TE in the NFL, but building around them will not be easy. The offensive line needs a lot of work, and the defense is desperate for some new talent. Realistically, with a good offseason and the right hire, the Raiders could make a big jump this offseason, especially with 10 draft picks, but a lot will need to go right to make it happen.
Prediction: Klint Kubiak
6. Cleveland Browns
I will never fully understand the Browns moving on from former head coach Kevin Stefanski, but here we are, and they will now have to fill a highly undesirable coaching position this offseason. Cleveland is a team desperate for change, and despite having an incredible 2025 draft, they will need a few more of those to take the next step. Offensively, the new coach will need to find his franchise QB and completely retool the NFL’s worst offensive line. He will inherit good running backs like Quinson Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Rocket Sanders, as well as emerging TE Harold Fannin Jr. Still, there is a long way to go.
The defense, obviously, is headlined by Myles Garrett, who set the single-season sack record this year and has proven to be one of the best defensive players of our generation. They also have the likely DROY in Carson Schwesinger and a few talented corners to work with, but similar to the offense, there is a long way to go. Cleveland is still on the hook for a lot of money with Deshaun Watson’s contract, and will be picking fifth overall, out of range for one of the top QBs in this year’s class. A unique situation with some potential, but a lot of risk, although GM Andrew Berry makes it a little more appealing.
Prediction: Chris Shula
7. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are also in a unique situation, and I think a lot of what will factor into who becomes their next coach will come down to what their GM’s plan is for this offseason. It all starts with QB Kyler Murray, who is on the hook for over 95 million in cap space over the next two years, but he played only five games this season, and many people suggest he could be on his way out. Arizona has several great offensive weapons with Marvin Harrison Jr, Trey McBride, and Michael Wilson, but the question for 2026 is who will be getting them the ball.
On defense, it is a dumpster fire in Arizona, and the team needs a complete reset this offseason. Budda Baker is one of the best safeties in football, and first-round pick Walter Nolen has looked great when he has played, but beyond that, there is a lot of work to be done. Rome was not built in a day, and Arizona will not be fixed in a single offseason. Despite having the third overall pick in the draft, it will likely take some time before the Cardinals are back in contention in the NFC.
Prediction: Mike LaFleur
