Before the NFL hiring cycle can begin, the firing cycle needs to slow down.<\/p>\n
The football world is waiting for a resolution between the Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur. On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that he\u2019s done coaching them after 19 seasons.<\/p>\n
The NFL has nine openings right now.<\/p>\n
Teams eliminated from the NFL Playoffs have already conducted first-round interviews over the last week.<\/p>\n
Before the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, let\u2019s project how this hiring process could settle.<\/p>\n
Arizona Cardinals: Los Angeles Rams OC Mike LaFleur<\/h3>\n
The Cardinals desperately need direction after wasting the last three seasons with Jonathan Gannon.<\/p>\n
It feels like Kyler Murray\u2019s time in Arizona will be up<\/a> as well, unless the new head coach somehow mends that relationship.<\/p>\n The Cardinals should hire LaFleur, who has excelled under Sean McVay and the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams.<\/p>\n The Falcons have premium offensive talent that has been underutilized over the last few seasons. They\u2019ve also invested a first-round pick into quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who has had an up and down career thus far.<\/p>\n That\u2019s exactly the environment Stefanski walked into in Cleveland ahead of the 2020 season. Baker Mayfield was a question mark<\/a>, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Nick Chubb were in the prime of their careers, and they had premium talent on defense.<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t this seem like a Ravens hire?<\/p>\n Maybe it\u2019s the Harbaugh connection from Minter\u2019s time at Michigan. Hell, maybe it\u2019s the fact that he spent four years in Baltimore already as a position coach.<\/p>\n Minter is a leader of men, and it feels like that\u2019s what the Ravens could chase.<\/p>\n While former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel could be in play here, the Browns are a risky second job in the NFL, especially since they don\u2019t have an answer at quarterback.<\/p>\n That sets up perfectly for Udinski, who just turned 30 on Monday.<\/p>\n After firing Stefanski, Browns GM Andrew Berry noted<\/a> that Cleveland was the only team to interview with the former NFL Coach of the Year in both 2019 and 2020. Udinski is a fast-riser that makes sense for an organization in transition mode.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This just makes too much sense.<\/p>\n Kubiak is one of the most sought-after coordinators this coaching cycle after Sam Darnold has looked like an MVP candidate during his first year in Seattle.<\/p>\n Kubiak and Heisman quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the future in Vegas.<\/p>\n The Dolphins are paying Tua Tagovailoa a ton of money. Not sure any offensive-minded coach would touch that situation with a 10-foot pole.<\/p>\n But perhaps they can reach out to their former linebacker, Sheppard, to usher the organization into its next chapter.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the one you\u2019ve all been waiting for.<\/a><\/p>\n It feels like the Giants have put on a full-court press for Harbaugh since he was fired from the Ravens. They were the first team to fire their head coach once Brian Daboll was axed in November.<\/p>\n Harbaugh chooses the Giants because of first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart\u2019s promise as well as premium young talent throughout the roster.<\/p>\n Historically, the Steelers like younger head coaches. It\u2019s part of the reason why the organization is searching for their fourth coach since the 1960s.<\/p>\n But Flores also feels like a culture fit for the Steelers who are searching for a new direction<\/a>. Still just 44, Flores has plenty of coaching left.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the landing spot for McDaniel.<\/p>\n No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward showed a bit of promise during his rookie season, but the Titans need to build around him.<\/p>\n Insert one of the game\u2019s brightest offensive minds, and the Titans could try and turn Ward into a household name.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\nAtlanta Falcons: Former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Baltimore Ravens: Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter<\/h3>\n
Cleveland Browns: Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Grant Udinski<\/h3>\n
Las Vegas Raiders: Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak reacts against the Carolina Panthers during the pregame at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Miami Dolphins: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard<\/h3>\n
New York Giants: John Harbaugh<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh walks off the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Pittsburgh Steelers: Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores<\/h3>\n
Tennessee Titans: Former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel<\/h3>\n