NFL coaching candidates: Mike McCarthy, Brian Flores and other top names

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The NFL coaching cycle is turning – and growing – by the week.

With John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski taking jobs with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, some thought the cycle would cool. Instead, it took another turn on Jan. 19, when the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott.

McDermott's firing added another coaching opening to an already wild coaching cycle, with eight available jobs and 10 organizations making changes as the offseason approaches.

Whoever takes that job in Buffalo will have decent-sized shoes to fill: McDermott's tenure alongside Josh Allen ends with a 98-50 overall record and five AFC East titles. Notably, the now-former Bills coach couldn't help steer Buffalo to a Super Bowl, meaning the next head coach will have to wrestle with those expectations.

No pressure, (future) coach.

BILLS COACHING CANDIDATES: 8 options after Sean McDermott fired

Other teams are conducting interviews to usher in, what they hope will be, more successful eras than the ones they're emerging from. The Tennessee Titans hope their next coach can unlock Cam Ward's potential to compete in a crowded AFC South, while the Giants are banking that Harbaugh can restore some of that "Giant Pride" in East Rutherford, NJ.

But, who are the next coaches – those experienced and not – who could land jobs in the coming weeks? Here are some names to know:

Best available NFL coaches

The following names all have had their shot at coaching an NFL team:

Brian Flores

Flores is a popular name for both defensive coordinator and head-coach openings this cycle. He has interviewed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens for their open positions. Flores' lawsuit against the NFL is still ongoing, but that clearly hasn't deterred him from his current employment or from his head-coaching interest in the league.

Mike McCarthy

The former Packers and Cowboys head coach didn't coach in 2025, but may be angling for a return to the sideline in 2026. While McCarthy is a Super Bowl-winner and has proven regular-season success, his playoff shortcomings with the Dallas teams during his tenure ultimately led to his dismissal in Dallas.

Robert Saleh

The former Jets head coach is again in the mix for several head coaching jobs, having interviewed with the Titans, Cardinals, and Ravens. Saleh is a well-regarded and respected defensive coordinator, and some may view his failings with the Jets as more of an organizational issue than his own.

Matt Nagy

Nagy's ill-fated tenure as head coach of the Bears is highlighted by the struggles of not one, but two young, early-drafted passers in Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields. Nagy landed back on his feet as the offensive coordinator of the Chiefs, leading to his head coaching candidacy once again.

Mike McDaniel

The former Dolphins coach earned much-deserved credit for his innovative, explosive offenses in Miami, but they failed to win a playoff game during his four seasons at the helm. Would an inquiring team look at McDaniel's tenure with the Dolphins as a peek of what's to come, more than a failure of what was? In the offense-heavy NFL, the answer is likely a yes.

NFL coaching candidates

The following names are looking for their first crack at landing a head coach job for an NFL team:

Klint Kubiak

The current Seahawks offensive coordinator has worked wonders for Sam Darnold, with the passer enjoying another quality season, his first in Kubiak's system. The well-traveled offensive coordinator is the son of former NFL QB and Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak.

Chris Shula

Shula, grandson of the late, great Don Shula, has worked well with Sean McVay and the Rams defense, his second as the leader of the stop unit in LA. Shula improved the Rams' defense to 10th in the NFL in defensive EPA per play in 2025, an improvement from their No. 23-ranking in 2024.

Grant Udinski

While the Jacksonville defense was a catalyst for their wins this season, Liam Coen's seemingly overnight fix of the Jaguars and his ability to point Trevor Lawrence in the right direction means NFL teams will look at his staff. Case in point: offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who has gotten interviews so far this offseason. Just 30 years old, Udinski was part of Kevin O'Connell's staff in Minnesota before joining Coen in Duval.

Davis Webb

The soon-to-be 31-year-old former NFL quarterback immediately jumped from the field in 2022 to the coaching ranks in 2023. Currently a piece of Sean Payton's staff as the pass game coordinator and QB coach, Webb is garnering interest as a head coach, with an interview with the Raiders already having taken place.

Jesse Minter

Minter, the Chargers' defensive coordinator, has been a hot name among the coaching ranks given LA's defensive production in his two seasons. The Chargers ranked ninth in defensive EPA per play in 2025 and sixth in 2024.