New York, November 21, 2025
The NFL landscape is evolving with key quarterback returns and a wide-open coaching carousel as the 2026 hiring season approaches, drawing attention from teams and executives nationwide. The status of players Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, alongside a diverse field of head coaching candidates, is shaping strategic decisions across the league.
Quarterback Status Updates
The recovery and availability timelines for prominent quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels remain pivotal as their teams plan for the season’s final stages. While detailed injury updates are limited, the uncertainty surrounding these starters is a critical factor influencing team performance and management strategies at this junction of the NFL calendar.
The 2026 Coaching Carousel: No Clear Frontrunner
Unlike the previous hiring cycle that saw a standout candidate in Mike Vrabel, NFL executives report a fragmented coaching market for 2026 with “probably a dozen guys and they’re all mostly the same.” This absence of a definitive frontrunner indicates an open competition for head coaching jobs, emphasizing a demand for versatile and adaptive leadership in the league.
Top Coordinator Candidates Emerge
The list of head coaching hopefuls predominantly features offensive and defensive coordinators from successful teams. Offensive coordinators leading the pack include Matt Nagy (Chiefs), Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders), Mike Kafka (Giants), Joe Brady (Bills), Klint Kubiak (Seahawks), Todd Monken (Ravens), and others recognized for innovative offensive schemes. Defensively, the candidate pool spotlights Brian Flores (Vikings), Jeff Hafley (Packers), Jesse Minter (Chargers), and Chris Shula (Rams), whose units have demonstrated consistently strong performances.
Greg Roman and Josh Grizzard Highlight Offensive Innovations
Greg Roman, the Chargers offensive coordinator, is gaining a reputation as one of the league’s most influential offensive strategists. His record of developing dominant offenses, particularly in Baltimore and Los Angeles, makes him a compelling head coaching candidate for the 2026 cycle. Meanwhile, Josh Grizzard of the Buccaneers continues to build upon Baker Mayfield’s coaching lineage, following Dave Canales and Liam Coen who secured head coaching roles in Carolina and Jacksonville, underscoring the impact of this coaching tree.
Teams Under Pressure: The Atlanta Falcons
Among teams currently under scrutiny, the Atlanta Falcons stand out as the franchise most likely to make a coaching change soon. Betting odds place head coach Raheem Morris as the next likely firing at -175, ahead of other candidates such as Jonathan Gannon and Pete Carroll. This speculation highlights the high stakes for coach survival and organizational direction within the NFL as seasons progress.
The ongoing quarterback circumstances coupled with an unusually broad and balanced pool of coaching candidates reflect the dynamic and fluid nature of NFL team management heading into 2026. These developments not only impact on-field competition but also influence broader franchise strategies and league-wide coaching paradigms moving forward.