The 2025 NFL regular season has wrapped up, signaling a wave of changes ahead. During the offseason, significant shifts occur as players move teams through free agency or trades, rosters evolve, and many organizations seek new head coaches for improvement.
As of now, nine NFL teams have parted ways with their coaches, and Mike Tomlin has resigned. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants dismissed Brian Callahan and Brian Daboll during the season. Following their campaign, the Atlanta Falcons swiftly fired Raheem Morris. On Black Monday, the Cleveland Browns let go of Kevin Stefanski, while the Las Vegas Raiders removed Pete Carroll and the Arizona Cardinals parted ways with Jonathan Gannon. John Harbaugh was also fired after 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The Miami Dolphins dismissed Mike McDaniel, and Tomlin’s resignation came after 19 seasons as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Following these changes, we will rank the coaching vacancies based on their attractiveness:
1. Bills
The Buffalo Bills possess arguably the top player in the league with Josh Allen, making this role the most sought-after this hiring cycle after firing Sean McDermott following their playoff loss to the Denver Broncos. Affiliation with Allen indicates a championship path, drawing interest from head coach candidates.
While the elite QB is a major draw, the team features promising elements including James Cook, who led the NFL in rushing this past season, and a stellar defense that allowed a league-low 156.9 passing yards per game. However, improvements in run defense and pass-catching capabilities are crucial for Allen’s further postseason success.
2. Raiders
The Raiders present opportunities due to players like Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, ample cap space, and the No. 1 draft pick. Yet, the lack of substantial talent beyond these names poses challenges in becoming competitive in the tough AFC West. Hiring the right coach and quarterback could spark progress, particularly with a robust draft approach and smart free agent acquisitions.
Despite these prospects, ownership instability under Mark Davis raises concerns about job security amid frequent organizational shifts.
3. Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers maintain a stable ownership group with a long history of head coach retainment, having only had three since the merger. A strong defense led by All-Pro T.J. Watt complements their $23.6 million cap space, but their offense is in need of renewal, especially after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. The new coach will have to address vital quarterback selection and rejuvenate an aging defense.
4. Browns
The Browns have a solid defense built around Myles Garrett, with notable rookie talents emerging. However, their offense lacks depth and they face limited cap space, which presents challenges in fixing their roster during the ongoing salary cap issue.
5. Cardinals
The Cardinals are in a rough spot, losing 14 of their last 15 games, and hold uncertain quarterback prospects with Kyler Murray possibly on the way out. Limited resources, combined with a challenging draft, will complicate recruitment for a new head coach trying to fill significant gaps in the roster.
