The perfect 2026 coaching hires for the 6 NFL teams with vacancies

With six NFL teams looking for new coaches, we've decided to go through the pool of potential candidates and link them to the current vacancies.

Outside of one team where we admittedly cheated, five of these candidates should be obtainable for the NFL teams in question to hire. It takes two to tango in the NFL, of course.

Advertisement

Ranking the NFL's 6 open head coaching jobs after Black Monday

However, we think these marriages would prosper for coach and team alike. We're not calling the shots, but we'd advise at least considering the potential of these moves.

Let's run through who these candidates are and which teams we think they'd be a perfect fit for this winter.

Arizona Cardinals: Jesse Minter

The Cardinals have spent the last two seasons watching a bright young mind from the Jim Harbaugh coaching tree resurrect the Seattle Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender. Arizona would be mighty wise to consider plucking a branch from it to guide it out of NFL purgatory. Minter should be one of the hottest names in this coaching cycle, his defense with the Chargers always making a lot happen with the resources available. Minter cut his NFL coaching teeth alongside Mike Macdonald with the Baltimore Ravens, and that influence shows in Los Angeles. If Arizona really wants to bring in a guy who can improve all phases of the operation, Minter would be an inspired choice. Sure, he'd have to nail the offensive coordinator hire, but he's a killer candidate for any job opening with that figured out.

Advertisement

Atlanta Falcons: Matt LaFleur

Okay, we're going to cheat a little with the Falcons. In a perfect world, LaFleur makes his grand return to Atlanta after parting ways with the Green Bay Packers. If the Matt Ryan news for Atlanta is true and the franchise legend returns to oversee football operations in Flowery Branch, who better to oversee his team than his former quarterbacks coach from his 2016 MVP season? The Falcons have sorely missed the Kyle Shanahan offense over the last decade almost, and LaFleur could return it. If LaFleur doesn't get out of Green Bay, perhaps Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak would be who Atlanta needs. An offensive mind who can unlock that side of the ball's roaring potential should be highly considered, especially if Jeff Ulbrich stays to run the defense.

Cleveland Browns: Robert Saleh

Look, going from a head coaching job with the New York Jets to the Browns would be a pretty bold move for Saleh. However, Cleveland should do whatever it takes to get him in its building. Especially if Saleh brings a Kyle Shanahan acolyte to run the offense, Saleh can infuse some needed energy and brilliant defensive prowess to Cleveland's commendable roster. Imagine a Saleh defense unleashing Myles Garrett on Sundays. That's enough to make him an enticing fit for Cleveland. We're not sure what the Browns want to do, but hiring Saleh would be a smart move.

Advertisement

New York Giants: Kevin Stefanski

Stefanski is the belle of the ball in this hiring cycle, and the Giants arguably have the best opening. It's a perfect fit. Stefanski can help quarterback Jaxson Dart develop with an offense that already has good skill players and a commendable offensive line. If he brings along Jim Schwartz as his defensive coordinator, that Giants defensive line could ascend into one of the most terrifying in the league. Stefanski struggled in his last two years with Cleveland, but the Deshaun Watson trade loomed large over that team's ability to build a roster and settle the quarterback room. If the Giants land Stefanski, fans should celebrate. He's the perfect person to get New York back in shape.

Las Vegas Raiders: Brian Flores

If the rumors about Flores and former Giants coach Brian Daboll joining the Raiders are true, Las Vegas could do a lot worse. Daboll played a crucial role in developing Josh Allen into the superstar he is with the Buffalo Bills. If he's the offensive coordinator developing likely top pick Fernando Mendoza, Flores could focus on rebuilding that Raiders defense back to its glory days and establishing a winning culture. Flores did a solid job with the Miami Dolphins, and spending time around Kevin O'Connell with the Minnesota Vikings should benefit him for a second head coaching stint. O'Connell runs one of the tightest ships in the NFL, after all. Daboll joining as the offensive coordinator really does make Flores an even more attractive candidate. We really do love this potential pairing.

Advertisement

Tennessee Titans: Mike McCarthy

The Titans need stability for young quarterback Cam Ward. Ward needs a veteran coach who has developed quarterbacks in the past who can give him the best environment for success. As much as McCarthy morphed into a playoff catastrophe meme over his career, the guy can win games and run formidable offenses. McCarthy would give the Titans exactly what they need to reestablish a firm floor for Ward's tenure in Tennessee. We're not sure what the ceiling would be with him joining the Titans, but they're at rock bottom right now. Particularly with a new stadium opening soon in Music City, Tennessee needs to put a product on the field that fans care about. Can McCarthy win the Titans a Super Bowl? We have no idea. Can he help Ward develop and win games? We think so.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: The perfect 2026 coaching hires for the NFL teams with vacancies