NFL head coach candidates 2026: Best available include John Harbaugh
Can we have this dance?
After the first wave of coaching changes, seven NFL teams find themselves without a dance partner for the 2026 season. With only 32 of these head coaching positions available in any given year, there will be no shortage of coach-team relationships as the offseason takes shape.
Advertisement
Offense has been all the rage in recent practice cycles, with teams looking to hire the brightest offensive minds they can find.
Of course, this led to a supply shortage. After all, it was supposed to happen one day when Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Ben Johnson and others lead their teams. This lack of offensive-minded coaches has swung the pendulum back to the defensive side of the ball.
NFL COACHING CAROUSEL: Predicting where John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski will land in 2026
Football, like everything else in the world, is cyclical.
Instead, it will be a group led by coaches looking to graduate from the “Coordinating University” and others hoping for a second chance. For the most part, these are the best defensive coordinators in the league who are ready to take their chance to run the show, with many other candidates scattered in between.
Advertisement
Here’s a look at some of the NFL’s top coaching candidates in 2026.
Top 2026 NFL Coaching Candidates
John Harbaugh, former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens
Harbaugh’s name is enough to make him the top candidate on the list of 2,026 head coaching candidates. He hasn’t been to the top of the mountain since Super Bowl 47, so it’s been a while for the former Ravens coach. His recent playoff outings and failures with the Ravens in 2025 won’t be enough to derail his candidacy.
After 18 seasons in Baltimore, a fresh start could be a good thing for Harbaugh. The coach instantly gives credibility to the team he joins, but the staff remains the most important thing for this CEO-like coach.
Advertisement
Kevin Stefanski, former head coach of the Cleveland Browns
A two-time Coach of the Year with the Browns is now on the open market. Think about this sequence of words.
The offensive-minded Stefanski never got the chance to coach a big offense in Cleveland and instead oversaw a team with a great defense. Stefanski may want to return to his roots with his next gig, which is expected to take place this offseason. Undoubtedly the best coach on the market, the staff is not a big problem for the former leader of the Browns, who brings his project with him.
Brian Flores, defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings
Flores is going to get a second chance to become a head coach. It comes down to adjustment, but it’s hard not to like what the defensive coordinator could bring to the table.
Advertisement
His Vikings’ defenses made headlines because they were among the best in the league in recent years, or at least among the most aggressive units. His plans are enough to put even the best quarterback’s brain in a blender. Even though things didn’t end well in Miami, someone is going to take a chance on Flores.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
From the team that brought you Mike Macdonald, we present to you – Jesse Minter. The Chargers defensive coordinator is firmly on the radar for a head coaching job this cycle, and that should come as no surprise.
He’s only 42 years old and has strong ties to the modern college game having made stops at Vanderbilt and Michigan. From a team building perspective, these are two key benefits. He comes from the Harbaugh coaching tree, having coached under Jim and John. Minter is one of the best defensive minds on the market and it won’t be long before he gets his chance to lead a team.
Advertisement
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
There isn’t a Ben Johnson-level offensive coordinator on the market this offseason, but Kubiak is probably the best fit for any team looking to go down the same path. It’s easy to forget that Kubiak was quickly on the head coaching radar after the way things started with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Injuries ultimately derailed the Saints’ season, but Kubiak is now back on the radar after coaching the league’s third-highest scoring offense this season.
Seattle took a big step forward in 2025, capturing the NFC’s No. 1 seed thanks in large part to the offense led by Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kubiak comes from a coaching tree that includes his father, Gary, and Kyle Shanahan, who isn’t bad company to keep either. He could be the Kellen Moore of the 2026 coaching cycle.
Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers
Hafley has all the experience in the world, except for a head coaching job in the NFL. He has been patrolling the sidelines since 2001, moving from the college level to the professional level. After serving as Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23, Hafley wouldn’t be flying blind if he finally lands a spot in the big chair.
Advertisement
The Packers’ current defensive coordinator appears to have a good reputation around the league and has apparently paid his dues. After coaching Micah Parsons and the Packers defense in 2025, he believes he has a good chance of displaying a new logo in 2026.
Mike McCarthy, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys
As far as retread candidates go, McCarthy might as well be at the top of the list. He has a long track record of proven success at the NFL level and, like Harbaugh, could bring some credibility to a team that desperately needs it. It’s not a flashy name, but McCarthy has overseen a Cowboys offense that has ranked top-five in scoring in three of his five seasons on the sideline.
The 62-year-old may not be in the mood to rebuild. However, if the right opportunity presents itself, McCarthy could easily find himself on the NFL sideline next season.
Advertisement
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula
If there’s one thing the NFL loves, it’s history. Shula is the grandson of the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula, so the NFL ties run deep for the Rams defensive coordinator.
However, don’t overlook Shula as a head coach candidate, as he has a famous family. The coach not only brings his defensive identity, but also has access to Sean McVay’s coaching tree. As one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, his potential team would certainly be attractive to teams looking for a new head coach.
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator
Joseph coaches arguably the best defense in the league, which is enough to put him in consideration for a head coaching job. His track record speaks for itself, but that’s not all. Teams hire head coaches for many reasons – being a good leader is usually one of them.
Advertisement
All you need to know about Joseph’s character is that he was once the head coach of the Denver Broncos and was fired in 2018 after two seasons. He would return to Denver as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2023, joining Sean Payton’s staff. Few would return to their former employer to accept a demotion. Joseph not only has the results, but also the leadership to support them. He should be given another chance to become a head coach.
Cliff Kingsbury, former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
The Commanders made headlines on January 6 when they chose to part ways with Kingsbury. Washington’s offensive coordinator during a magical 2024 season, Kingsbury’s return to the NFL bench was short-lived after a disappointing, injury-ravaged 2025.
Kingsbury has NFL head coaching experience and could get a second chance to run the show. In a league lacking offensive-minded coaches, it’s not hard to believe he could be in high demand.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL head coaching candidates: John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski
