Black Monday in the NFL is over, various coaches have lost their jobs. Which successors are being traded? ran accompanies the events in the ticker.
Coaches in the best football league in the world are more afraid of a day. The day after the end of the regular season, Black Monday, countless trainers are traditionally relieved of their duties.
Also this year! Star coach Pete Carroll, among others, had to pack his bags. Who are potential successors? Who is negotiating with? And which general managers will be hired?
ran summarizes layoffs, new hires and the surrounding rumors in the ticker.
+++ January 6th, 7:00 p.m.: Commanders separate from both coordinators +++
Table of Contents
- +++ January 6th, 7:00 p.m.: Commanders separate from both coordinators +++
- +++ January 6th, 3:24 p.m.: Cowboys fire Eberflus +++
- +++ January 6th, 10:10 a.m.: First interviews for fired coaches +++
- +++ January 6th, 7:30 a.m.: Falcons have two head coach candidates in mind +++
- +++ January 6th, 6:14 a.m.: Bengals are probably sticking with coordinators +++
- +++ January 5th, 6:01 p.m.: Cardinals fire head coach Jonathan Gannon +++
- +++ January 5th, 5:18 p.m.: Raiders fire head coach Pete Carroll +++
- +++ January 5th, 3:15 p.m.: Browns release Stefanski and hold on to Berry +++
- +++ January 5th, 6:47 a.m.: Falcons fire Morris +++
Cleaning up the Washington Commanders.
As “ESPN” insider Adam Schefter reports, the franchise and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have mutually agreed to a separation after a meeting with head coach Dan Quinn.
At the same time, the team also fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. After Quinn took over defensive playcalling after week ten, this move was already expected.
+++ January 6th, 3:24 p.m.: Cowboys fire Eberflus +++
One day after Black Monday, the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The former head coach of the Chicago Bears was the coordinator in Dallas for just one year.
The Cowboys were one of the worst defenses in the last NFL season in many metrics, and after an interim high in the winter, the unit has recently regularly fallen apart again.
This will be the fourth time in a row that Dallas will have a new defensive coordinator to start a season in 2026.
+++ January 6th, 10:10 a.m.: First interviews for fired coaches +++
Head coach Brian Callahan was fired from the Tennessee Titans on October 13th. In the search for a successor, the team bosses have now apparently arranged the first interviews.
According to Titans insider Paul Kuharsky, Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Browns, was invited for an interview next Saturday, and Raheem Morris, who was fired by the Falcons, was invited for an interview on Sunday.
In addition, the Titans have reportedly requested permission to interview the following coordinators: Matt Nagy (Chiefs offensive coordinator), Lou Anarumo (Colts defensive coordinator), Jesse Minter (Chargers defensive coordinator) and Vance Joseph (Broncos defensive coordinator).
+++ January 6th, 7:30 a.m.: Falcons have two head coach candidates in mind +++
On Black Monday, the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. According to “NFL Network”, those responsible for the franchise already have two candidates in mind as possible successors.
Accordingly, the Falcons have requested a conversation with the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver. On the other hand, they have asked the Seattle Seahawks for an interview regarding offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The possible interviews with both coordinators are about the vacant head coach position.
+++ January 6th, 6:14 a.m.: Bengals are probably sticking with coordinators +++
The Cincinnati Bengals announced in a statement on Black Monday that head coach Zac Taylor will continue to be the Bengals’ primary coach in 2026. In the public eye, Taylor was under pressure and he missed the playoffs for the third time in a row.
At a media round, he said that he “doesn’t expect anything to change in the coaching staff.” That would also mean defensive coordinator Al Golden would keep his job.
The Bengals’ defense was the worst of last season in several metrics. What speaks in Golden’s favor is that his unit has come together over the course of the season.
+++ January 5th, 6:01 p.m.: Cardinals fire head coach Jonathan Gannon +++
And the next head coach has to believe in it. This time, somewhat surprisingly, Jonathan Gannon is caught by the Arizona Cardinals. At the weekend, NFL insiders reported that he would have another chance in 2026.
The 43-year-old took over the helm of the Cardinals three years ago, but was never really able to steer them into calm waters. In the end he has a record of 15 wins and 36 defeats. Probably one of the reasons why those responsible finally pulled the ripcord.
+++ January 5th, 5:18 p.m.: Raiders fire head coach Pete Carroll +++
Big bang for the Las Vegas Raiders. What was supposed to be a harmonious transition phase ended in last place in the NFL. This now has consequences: coaching legend Pete Carroll has to pack his bags after just one season.
The 74-year-old previously coached the Seattle Seahawks for over ten years before moving to the Sin City. However, this chapter is now over, as the team announced.
The search for a new coach will be led by, among others, shareholder and NFL legend Tom Brady.
+++ January 5th, 3:15 p.m.: Browns release Stefanski and hold on to Berry +++
What had already been hinted at is now official: Kevin Stefanski is the first coaching victim of Black Monday. The Cleveland Browns have announced that their head coach will be leaving after six years. A statement from owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said: “We greatly appreciate his tireless efforts and commitment to our organization, but our results over the past two seasons have been unsatisfactory and we believe a change in the head coaching position is necessary.”
Cleveland missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. If there were only three wins in 2024, this time there were five. However, Stefanski also led the team, which had been notoriously unsuccessful for years, into the playoffs twice, each time with eleven wins. In contrast to him, general manager Andrew Berry remains in office.
He emphasized: “This was a difficult decision, and today is a difficult day for our organization because of the great influence Kevin has had and the deep, meaningful relationships he has built throughout our building.”
Stefanski said goodbye “with a deep feeling of gratitude.” The 43-year-old, for whom it was the first head coaching position in the league, continued: “When I arrived in January 2020, this organization, this city and the Browns fans welcomed me and my family with open arms. I can’t put into words how well we were treated.”
The owners also looked at the tasks ahead and shared: Our entire focus is on building a team that will bring our fans the long-awaited success. We will continue to work tirelessly toward this goal and invest all necessary resources to establish a successful football program. Andrew will immediately begin a thorough search for an outstanding new head coach and leader for our football team.”
+++ January 5th, 6:47 a.m.: Falcons fire Morris +++
The Atlanta Falcons are parting ways with head coach Raheem Morris after two seasons without a playoff appearance. The franchise announced this shortly after the season finale against the New Orleans Saints. General manager Terry Fontenot also has to vacate his post.
“I have a great personal connection to both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and commitment to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these positions going forward,” said owner Arthur Blank, explaining the decision.
Morris had achieved an 8-9 record in both seasons as head coach of the Falcons – not enough for the demands in Atlanta. Even an impressive final spurt with four wins in a row couldn’t save his job. Fontenot was GM of the Falcons for a total of five years, and there was not a winning season during this time.
