Ranking the Best NFL Coaching Hires of the 2026 Offseason: Who Moved the Needle?
Written by: Danny Burke
Published: Wed Feb 18, 2026, 5:00 pm ET
Read Time: 15 minutes
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Even when the NFL season comes to a halt, the offseason generates no shortage of intrigue thanks to the coaching carousel that plays out year after year. This cycle was no different, with eight head coaching vacancies filled along with several key coordinator additions.
Below, I'll be ranking those hires from best to worst.
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Ranking the Best NFL Coaching Hires of 2026
These rankings aren't exclusive to head coaches. Several coordinator additions this cycle carry the potential to make a more immediate impact than some first-year head coaches with their new organizations. With that said, let's dive into my rankings of the NFL coaching hires of 2026, starting at No. 10 and working our way to the top spot.
No. 11 – Mike McCarthy, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
There's a phrase I don't use lightly that feels appropriate here: stuck in purgatory.
That's exactly where the Pittsburgh Steelers kept themselves by hiring 62-year-old Mike McCarthy. Yes, he has a Super Bowl on his resume, but beyond that, his tenure as a head coach has largely fallen short of expectations, as is reflected in his 11–11 postseason record.
His most recent stint came with the Dallas Cowboys, where he served as head coach from 2020–2024, compiling a 49–35 record while going just 1–3 in the postseason.
Apparently, that was enough to convince the Steelers this was the answer – how pathetic.
The Steelers weren't getting anywhere with Mike Tomlin. It was the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Sure, it's nice to brag that your coach has never had a losing record, but when that consistency doesn't translate to postseason success, then who really cares?
The Tomlin departure was far from shocking. There had been rumblings for months, and it felt mutually beneficial for a partnership that had clearly run its course and peaked. But to follow that up with Mike McCarthy? You might as well have just kept Tomlin until a more viable candidate emerged.
The Steelers are shaping up to be painfully mundane over the next few years – an aging, now average Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, a defense that was a liability last season and a division that only figures to improve. Dark days may be ahead in Pittsburgh, and for the first time in over two decades, a losing season feels realistic.
This is the worst hire of the cycle. It doesn't elevate the organization. It doesn't reset the ceiling. It just keeps them stuck.
No. 10 – Todd Monken, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns
Nothing about the Cleveland Browns is ever exciting, and that became even more apparent when they fired two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, and replaced him with 60-year-old Todd Monken, who is coming off one of the least impressive offensive playcalling seasons of his career.
To Monken's credit, the Baltimore Ravens were without Lamar Jackson for a stretch, which certainly didn't help. But the larger point remains – this was another questionable decision from a franchise that has made a habit of doing so…shocking, right?
This will be Monken's first head coaching gig in the NFL, though he has been a head coach at the collegiate level. But hey, if you can hire a 60-year-old first-time NFL head coach to take over a young, impressionable roster on the league's most dysfunctional franchise – one that doesn't even have a legitimate starting quarterback – then you have to jump at that opportunity, right?
Getting rid of Stefanski alone was enough to warrant this ranking for Cleveland, but to follow it up by hiring Monken was something else.
Good luck, Cleveland.
No. 9 – Jesse Minter, Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of the Baltimore Ravens, not only did they lose offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but they also ended their 18-year relationship with head coach John Harbaugh.
During his tenure, Harbaugh delivered a Super Bowl title in 2012, six AFC North championships, a 13–11 playoff record and a 180–113 mark in the regular season. On paper, moving on from a coach with that resume looks controversial. But if you watched how things were trending, it wasn't entirely shocking.
The Ravens have a two-time MVP in Lamar Jackson and just a 2–4 postseason record with him under center. For a roster this talented, the results were inexcusable. At some point, something had to change.
The issue isn't that they moved on from Harbaugh – it's what they followed it up with. Hiring an inexperienced defensive coordinator in Jesse Minter is a questionable pivot. I've long been skeptical of defensive-minded head coaches in today's NFL. The league revolves around explosive offenses, elite quarterback play and rule structures that heavily favor scoring. Yes, Mike Macdonald just won a Super Bowl in Seattle with a dominant defense, but that blueprint is difficult to sustain long term in this era. If you want consistent success and a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl year after year, your team's foundation has to be built on the offensive side of the ball.
Baltimore's struggles haven't stemmed from a lack of defense, they've stemmed from offensive stagnation in critical postseason moments. If anything, this was the time to bring in an offensive-minded leader to maximize Lamar Jackson and the skill talent around him. Instead, they doubled down on the other side of the ball while also losing their offensive coordinator. That's a risky bet.
They did bring in former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, but let's be honest – Doyle wasn't calling plays in Chicago. That was Ben Johnson's offense. Doyle likely would've benefited from another year in Johnson's shadow, continuing to refine his craft and gain experience. Maybe he develops into a capable playcaller down the line, but this feels like a premature promotion at a time when Baltimore can't afford one.
For a team with championship aspirations, this is a gamble – and one that could stall the Ravens' window rather than expand it.
No. 8 – Mike LeFleur, Head Coach, Arizona Cardinals
The Sean McVay coaching tree continues to grow, as former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur now gets his opportunity to prove why that tree carries so much weight around the league.
Much like my criticism of the Ravens hiring Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator, there's some room for doubt surrounding Mike LaFleur. Though he held the offensive coordinator title in Los Angeles, it was Sean McVay calling the shots.
Still, LaFleur earns a more favorable nod than some of these other hires. He comes from a stable, competent organization, having learned under one of the league's top offensive masterminds and now inherits a Cardinals team with a plethora of weapons – particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Their quarterback situation is a bit of a mess, but if LaFleur can get Murray comfortable in his system, the Cardinals could quietly emerge as a sneaky playoff contender this season.
No. 7 – Joe Brady, Head Coach, Buffalo Bills
I went back and forth between Mike LaFleur and Joe Brady for the No. 7 spot, but familiarity within the organization ultimately gives Brady and the Bills the slight edge.
Still, like several others on this list, this will be Brady's first opportunity as an NFL head coach, and it's a role that comes with immense pressure. When you inherit an MVP quarterback in Josh Allen, and a team that makes the playoffs year after year, the standard isn't gradual improvement – it's Super Bowl or bust. That kind of expectation can weigh heavily on a first-year head coach, no matter how comfortable he is within the organization.
As we've seen time and again, it takes a rare coach to successfully balance play-calling duties while overseeing the entire operation. Only a small handful can pull it off. I'm not entirely convinced Brady will be one of them, but having Josh Allen under center certainly helps mitigate the damage if things don't go smoothly.
No. 6 – Jeff Hafley, Head Coach, Miami Dolphins
There's no denying what Jeff Hafley accomplished during his tenure as the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator. As a Bears fan, I'm thrilled he landed a head coaching job and is out of the division.
This will be his first NFL head coaching opportunity, though he previously served as Boston College's head coach from 2020–2023, compiling a 22–26 record before heading to the land of cheese.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not typically an advocate for defensive-minded head coaching hires. However, the reason this lands at No. 6 has more to do with circumstance than excitement. The Dolphins are in a state of disarray, and outside of names like Kevin Stefanski and John Harbaugh, there weren't many compelling options available this cycle.
The Dolphins look completely unsettled on the offensive side of the ball right now, with no real clarity on whether Tua Tagovailoa or Quinn Ewers will be their starting quarterback. And that's before factoring in the roster shakeup – releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, along with several others, to clear more than $56 million in 2026 cap space.
Ultimately, this isn't all that concerning of a hire because, regardless of who Miami brought in this cycle, they're likely headed for a downturn anyway. If that's the case, you might as well focus on building a strong foundation and establishing a defensive identity – then, when the time is right, draft a quality quarterback and pair him with an offensive-minded head coach or a strong offensive coordinator.
No. 5 – Klint Kubiak, Head Coach, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders went from making two of the most foolish moves we've seen in recent NFL history – hiring 74-year-old Pete Carroll and signing sack magnet Geno Smith – to actually making a quality offseason hire in Klint Kubiak, who is coming off a Super Bowl championship as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
Sure, Kubiak wasn't the one who sparked Sam Darnold's resurgence; that began under Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. But Kubiak certainly elevated Darnold's play and confidence, especially when it mattered most in the postseason en route to a Super Bowl title.
Kubiak was highly sought after, and the Raiders, outside of Geno Smith, do have some exciting offensive weapons in tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. They also hold the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL Draft, and while the quarterback class isn't the most appealing, it'll still be intriguing to see what Kubiak can do with college champion Francisco Mendoza, who is widely expected to be their selection.
Competency may return to Las Vegas after all.
No. 4 – John Harbaugh, Head Coach, New York Giants
Not much more needs to be said beyond the accolades already listed earlier in this article. Harbaugh was a top candidate for virtually every opening and ultimately landed in the Big Apple.
He'll have the opportunity to work with some intriguing young talent in quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Though, Skattebo and Nabers are both coming off significant injuries, and Dart hasn't exactly avoided the blue tent himself, so there are durability concerns across the board.
Still, Harbaugh is a quality coach who can steer this organization in the right direction. Giants fans should be excited for what's in store.
No. 3 – Mike McDaniel, Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
Now this is where things get fun. I'm sure listing an offensive coordinator hire this high is going to trigger some of you, but I'm fully confident that the Chargers acquiring Mike McDaniel is one of the more substantial moves of this cycle, and one that will have an immediate, positive impact next season.
I've always been a supporter of Justin Herbert and believe some of the excuses tied to his postseason struggles are valid. He dealt with a banged-up offensive line all season, was without his top running back for most of the year and even underwent surgery on his non-throwing arm midseason. Say what you will, but Herbert is an MVP-caliber quarterback. With a healthier roster and a creative playcaller, he's not far from winning the award and potentially leading this team on a legitimate Super Bowl run.
McDaniel is a coach who thrives when he can focus solely on his specialty – designing and calling plays. There are only a handful of coaches capable of successfully balancing play-calling duties with full head coaching responsibilities, and McDaniel isn't one of them. He wasn't a disaster, but he also wasn't effective enough to keep his job.
In this role, though, with his attention locked in solely on the offense, this Chargers unit has the potential to be electric. This will be one of the most entertaining offenses in football next season.
No. 2 – Robert Saleh, Head Coach, and Brian Daboll, Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee Titans
Originally, when the Titans hired Robert Saleh, I was appalled. I couldn't believe that after drafting quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick the year prior, they'd pivot toward a defensive-minded head coach.
However, they completely redeemed themselves *cue the Dumb and Dumber clip* by bringing in former Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
I was kind of shocked that Daboll didn't receive stronger consideration for another head coaching job. Realistically, though, he may have been waiting for the right situation and now has a year or two to reestablish himself as an offensive coordinator, which could easily put him back on the head coaching radar down the line.
I don't believe he was a bad coach in New York. I believe he was handed a difficult situation paired with a brutal front office.
One team's trash is another team's treasure, and that could very well be the case for the Tennessee Titans. Cam Ward showed real growth as the season progressed, and this offense features some legitimate weapons. Daboll has a strong track record of maximizing quarterback play, and he should be able to bring out the best in this group.
Defensively, the Titans closed the season as one of the stronger units in the league, and now with Saleh in the building, they can firmly establish a true defensive identity.
Tennessee has a real opportunity to compete within its division. Don't be surprised if this team stays competitive throughout the year, covers plenty of spreads and even pulls off a few notable upsets. With a last-place schedule ahead of them, young talent on both sides of the ball and two quality coordinators in place, this is a team I'll be targeting to bet over its win total next season.
No. 1 – Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons
Regardless of which team landed Kevin Stefanski, they were likely headed for the No. 1 spot on this list. How could they not be after hiring a two-time Coach of the Year? Even more impressively, he won those awards while coaching arguably the most dysfunctional franchise in modern NFL history – the Cleveland Browns.
They should build Stefanski a statue for dragging that organization toward competency. Handed the Deshaun Watson contract and constant quarterback turnover, including drafting a pair of rookies last season in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, he still found ways to keep Cleveland competitive. He was dealt bad hands and made the most of them. Now imagine what he can do with an Atlanta Falcons roster featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Michael Penix Jr.
That's just a handful of the offensive weapons Atlanta has on its roster. And yes, I'm aware Penix has been underwhelming, but that's exactly why you bring in a proven, offensive-minded coach like Stefanski to maximize his development.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons fielded one of the stronger defensive units during the first half of last season. If they can rediscover that form, this team has the pieces to make serious noise.
The best part? The Falcons play in the worst division in football. Not a single team finished with a winning record or a positive point differential last season. It shouldn't shock anyone if Atlanta runs through the NFC South now that one of the league's brightest minds is captaining the ship.
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Danny Burke is a betting analyst with a decade of sports media experience. He got his start at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sharing picks on the local ESPN affiliate. After college, he hosted shows for VSiN in Las Vegas before returning to Chicago to launch 'Rush Hour', the first daily sports betting show from an Illinois casino. He also co-hosted 'Props and Locks' on Fox32’s Bears pregame show and ran 'Bet On, Chicago' on WLS-AM 890.
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