New York City, NY, January 20, 2026
In a dramatic reshaping of NFL team leadership, several high-profile coaching changes have occurred. The Buffalo Bills have fired Sean McDermott after nine seasons despite playoff success, while the New York Giants appointed John Harbaugh to revitalize their struggling team. Other notable hirings include Kevin Stefanski for the Atlanta Falcons and Jeff Hafley for the Miami Dolphins. Longtime Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has also stepped down. The recent shake-ups reflect the league’s demand for fresh strategies and leadership as teams aim to enhance competitiveness.
Significant NFL Coaching Changes in 2026
New York City, NY – The NFL coaching landscape has undergone significant changes in the past 48 hours, with several high-profile hirings and firings reshaping team leadership across the league.
Buffalo Bills Part Ways with Head Coach Sean McDermott
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Bills have dismissed head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons. Despite leading the team to seven consecutive playoff appearances and a 98-50 regular-season record, McDermott’s tenure was marked by near-misses, including AFC Championship losses in 2020 and 2024. The decision follows a 33-30 overtime playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, with team owner Terry Pegula citing the need for new leadership to elevate the team further. General Manager Brandon Beane has been promoted to president of football operations and will lead the search for a new, likely offensive-minded head coach. Quarterback Josh Allen expressed emotional devastation after the loss and admitted to personal mistakes. McDermott defended Allen and criticized officiating during the overtime turnover. While praised for his leadership and ability to guide the team through adversity—including the 2023 Damar Hamlin incident—McDermott’s playoff record (8-8) and failure to reach the Super Bowl were decisive factors in his dismissal amidst growing fan and internal pressure.
New York Giants Hire John Harbaugh as Head Coach
New York, NY – The New York Giants have officially hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach. After 18 successful seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including a Super Bowl victory, Harbaugh takes over a Giants team that finished the 2025 season with a 4-13 record. The five-year contract, reportedly worth $100 million, is among the largest in NFL history. Harbaugh’s leadership is expected to revitalize the franchise and develop young talents like quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
Atlanta Falcons Appoint Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta Falcons have announced Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Stefanski, previously the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, replaces Raheem Morris, who was fired after two seasons with the Falcons. The hiring aims to bring stability and a fresh offensive direction to a team that has missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Steps Down
Pittsburgh, PA – After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin has stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory and maintained a consistent playoff presence, informed team president Art Rooney II that it was time for a change. The Steelers now face the challenge of finding a new head coach to lead the franchise.
Miami Dolphins Hire Jeff Hafley as Head Coach
Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins have hired Jeff Hafley as their new head coach. Hafley, who served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2024 to 2025 and was the head coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2023, takes over a Dolphins team that finished the 2025 season with a 7-10 record.
Las Vegas Raiders Fire Pete Carroll After One Season
Las Vegas, NV – The Las Vegas Raiders have fired head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Carroll, who was hired in January 2025, led the team to a 3-14 record, the worst in the league. The decision comes as the Raiders look to rebuild and find a coach capable of leading them back to competitiveness.
Arizona Cardinals Part Ways with Jonathan Gannon
Glendale, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals have parted ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon after three seasons. Gannon’s tenure was marked by a 3-14 record in 2025, leading the team to move in a different direction as they seek to restore competitiveness.
Tennessee Titans Fire Brian Callahan Mid-Season
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan on October 13, 2025, after a 1-5 start to the season. Callahan’s dismissal came after the team finished the 2024 season with a 3-14 record, leading ownership to seek a new direction for the franchise.
Washington Commanders Part Ways with Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways after two seasons. The decision follows a home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round.
Philadelphia Eagles Part Ways with Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Eagles announced on January 13 that offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will no longer be with the team. The move comes two days after the Eagles suffered a home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round.
Key Features of Recent NFL Coaching Changes
| Team | New Head Coach | Previous Head Coach | Contract Details | Previous Season Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | Vacant | Sean McDermott | Not yet announced | 12-5 |
| New York Giants | John Harbaugh | Brian Daboll | 5-year, $100 million | 4-13 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Kevin Stefanski | Raheem Morris | Not yet announced | 8-9 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Vacant | Mike Tomlin | Not yet announced | Not specified |
| Miami Dolphins | Jeff Hafley | Mike McDaniel | Not yet announced | 7-10 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Vacant | Pete Carroll | Not yet announced | 3-14 |
| Arizona Cardinals | Vacant | Jonathan Gannon | Not yet announced | 3-14 |
| Tennessee Titans | Vacant | Brian Callahan | Not yet announced | 1-5 at time of firing |
| Washington Commanders | Vacant | Kliff Kingsbury | Not yet announced | Not specified |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Vacant | Kevin Patullo | Not yet announced | Not specified |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which NFL teams have recently hired new head coaches?
The New York Giants have hired John Harbaugh, and the Atlanta Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coaches.
Which NFL teams have recently fired their head coaches?
The Buffalo Bills have fired Sean McDermott, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin has stepped down, and the Las Vegas Raiders have fired Pete Carroll after one season.
What is the contract value for John Harbaugh’s new position with the New York Giants?
The contract value for John Harbaugh’s new position with the New York Giants is reportedly $100 million over five years.
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