The best and worst hires of the 2026 NFL coaching cycle
Photo courtesy of Maryland National Guard/Wikimedia Commons
After parting ways with Baltimore, Super Bowl winning coach John Harbaugh lands in New York as the Giants’ marquee hire, a franchise eager to turn promise into playoff contention.
With the National Football League (NFL) offseason just across the horizon, teams around the league have begun to build towards their future. This year has proved hectic for many teams, with an astounding 10 teams searching for new head coaches to lead going forward. Now that all the vacancies have been filled, one question remains to be answered: which teams hit on their hires, and which ones might have reached too far?
Hit: John Harbaugh (Giants)
Perhaps the biggest name from this cycle, John Harbaugh was let go from the Baltimore Ravens following their failure to reach the playoffs. He wasted no time in finding a new home, choosing perhaps the best spot available in New York. Harbaugh brings an impressive pedigree to the Giants, including a Super Bowl win in 2013, and the development of two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
Harbaugh enters a program of great offensive promise, anchored by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and featuring wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo. Despite a 4-13 record, Dart still recorded 2,272 passing yards and a 15-5 touchdown/interception ratio. While the Giants’ defense struggled in 2025, surrendering leads deep into games, new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson brings a new perspective to a unit that was especially deficient in the passing game (Wilson coached defense under Harbaugh in 2023, a unit that caught 18 interceptions). Under Harbaugh, the Giants have the potential to be a strong team in a weak division.
Hit: Kevin Stefanski (Falcons)
A new era begins in Atlanta under the management of president of football (an executive overseer), former quarterback Matt Ryan. His first test in this position was to find a new coach, which he found in former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year winner, led the Browns to their first playoff win since 1994 in 2020 and led the team to a playoff berth in 2023. Stefanski comes to Atlanta to revitalize a talented offense, which struggled under former coach Raheem Morris.
Stefanski, with a run-heavy coaching style of offense, arrives in Atlanta to coach star running back Bijan Robinson, as well as wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney. However, Stefanski inherits a small situation at quarterback, with the status of veteran Kirk Cousins and starter Michael Penix Jr. in the air for next season. Along with that, Stefanski is tasked with coaching a defense that put up middling performances over the 2025 season. Despite these questions, Kevin Stefanski finds himself in good standing in Atlanta.
Miss: Joe Brady (Bills)
After the controversial firing of former head coach Sean McDermott, the pressure was on the Buffalo Bills to find a suitable replacement. General manager and president of football Brandon Beane settled for continuity, promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady. While Joe Brady has gotten the best out of quarterback Josh Allen, his hiring left a lot to be desired.
Bills Mafia, a fanbase desperate to see the Lombardi Trophy brought to Buffalo, was mixed on the promotion, with many wishing for a new perspective on the offensive scheme. In particular, criticism has been levied on Brady’s style of play calling, mainly in regards to the use of screen passes. The roster construction of the Bills has also drawn criticism, with examples often being the defense, and Brandon Beane’s ability to draft and sign free agents. Joe Brady faces an uphill battle as a first-time head coach, as the Bills’ Super Bowl window comes into question.
Miss: Jeff Hafley (Dolphins)
The Miami Dolphins enter another rebuild, having parted ways with general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel. For McDaniel’s replacement, the Dolphins and new manager Jon-Eric Sullivan hired Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley enters his first year as an NFL head coach, having previously coached Bowling Green College to middling results. Hafley comes to Miami with many questions to answer.
In his final game with Green Bay, his (admittedly injured and Micah Parsons absent) defense surrendered a 21-3 halftime lead to division rival Chicago Bears, the second lead lost to the Bears within four weeks. Hafley also inherits a contract disaster with benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who carries a 99 million-dollar cap hit if released (or 45 million if traded before June 1). The Dolphins roster also contains many deficiencies, particularly within the defense and wide receiver position (with receiver Tyreek Hill expected to depart). Hafley is under a lot of pressure to restore faith to the fans of Miami, especially for a first-year coach.
Uncertain: Mike LaFleur (Cardinals)
Mike LaFleur, younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, is coming off an impressive stay in Los Angeles. As the Rams offensive coordinator, he not only played a role in the development of star receiver Puka Nacua, but also just coached quarterback Matthew Stafford to an MVP season. However, he now coaches a team of contradictions in Arizona.
Arizona is home to offensive stars like tight end Trey McBride, breakout wide receiver Michael Wilson, and reliable running back James Connor. On the other hand, the team now faces uncertainty in the quarterback position, with Kyler Murray likely on his way out. Arizona also faces uncertainty on the defensive and offensive line, as well as a bottom ten defense. With the NFC West containing three powerhouse teams (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers), Mike LaFleur has a lot of work to do if he wishes to contend for the playoffs, much less within the division.