FlurrySports ranks all of the 2026 NFL head coach openings around the league.
The NFL offseason has not officially started league-wide, but for most teams, they are already focused on making changes so they can be playing in the Divisional Round next season. It didn’t seem like too many coaches were truly on the hot seat this season. But after some very legitimate coaches hit the open market, several others fell like dominoes.
There are very few great head coaches in the NFL, but there are a few available right now. Where will they go? Let’s rank all nine of these NFL head coach openings!
How Many NFL Teams Need a Head Coach?
Initially, it seemed as though there wouldn’t be many NFL head coach openings this offseason. However, after a couple of coveted and respected coaches became available, teams had to ask themselves how likely it would be to upgrade their current coach. As a result, nine NFL teams currently need a head coach:
- Cardinals
- Falcons
- Giants
- Ravens
- Browns
- Raiders
- Dolphins
- Steelers
- Titans
Recently, the New York Giants named John Harbaugh to be the new head coach, trimming this list down to eight vacancies. That’s a lot of jobs that need to be filled. Additionally, it means 6/16 AFC teams will undergo major changes this offseason, including three of the four teams in the AFC North.
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Ranking All of the NFL Head Coach Openings in 2026
We will rank all of the NFL head coach openings on a number of different factors that we’ll get into. But, for clarity, the salary cap space for each team is based on an NFL salary cap of $304.3M from Spotrac, and it is what it would be right now if they do not make any changes. Of course, contract manipulation will happen, but everyone can do that, so their ranking is still relevant (#1 is most money to spend).
1 — Baltimore Ravens Head Coach
Projected Ravens Cap Space: $29.5M (#16)
Not often can you inherit a multi-time MVP who is still under 30 years old, but that is the case with the next Baltimore Ravens head coach. Some are asking if the Ravens should or could trade Lamar Jackson. No and no. The next Ravens head coach will be picked in partnership with Jackson, and they will get to lead a very talented team that has some money to work with.
The AFC North is wide open, and the Ravens had two clear issues this past season — the pass rush and Lamar Jackson’s health. The team will restructure Jackson’s contract for more money, re-sign his center, and then they will look to free agency and their 11 draft picks to improve their pass rush and offensive line.
2 — Tennessee Titans Head Coach
Projected Titans Cap Space: $103M (#2)
The Tennessee Titans, on paper, are a fantastic situation for an experienced coach to come in and create the team he wants to put on the field. The issue is that their owner is an absolute buffoon, and they also already have a GM in place.
The Titans have the second-most cap space in the NFL, and releasing players like Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard will give them even more money. The jury is still out on Cam Ward, but he appears to be a promising young quarterback who isn’t afraid to work. There is also some young talent on offense and strong defensive players to build around. The AFC South is also a division that you can compete in.
Given the money available and the draw of Nashville, the Titans are viewed as a preferred destination among the NFL head coach openings, as it can be whatever you make it.
3 — Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach
Projected Steelers Cap Space: $65.4M (#9)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had three total head coaches since 1970. This alone makes the Steelers’ head coaching job a very cool opportunity. This coach will be given the support of the front office, former players, and the community. However, this is a roster that has had some very obvious issues over the past decade.
The defense has playmakers, but the secondary has some issues. A change in schedule and defensive coordinator will help in a big way. Offensively, this team needs a new receiving corps, offensive line and quarterback. The Steelers have money to spend and 12 draft picks, including three third-round picks. If Mike Tomlin comes back to coach, a team must trade for him as well.
There are very few well-run, special organizations. The Steelers are one of them, and the building still has a winning DNA and the potential to get over the hump in a hurry.
4 — Arizona Cardinals Head Coach
Projected Cardinals Cap Space: $44.1M (#12)
The Arizona Cardinals, for my money, are actually in a position to really make a splash. They have the 12th-most cap space, and that is with Kyler Murray still on the books. They can eat some of the contract, trade him, and have more draft picks and money to work with. The team has other veterans who could also be released to free up a great deal of money.
Along with the money and still holding all of their own draft picks, the roster has a bit to be excited about. The receiving corps in particular has a ton of potential, with Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. The offensive line is also tough, while the defense has a couple of playmakers to build around.
The next Cardinals head coach can come in and make a splash quickly, transforming this team into whatever they want it to be. Luring free agents to Arizona is also easier than in other places. The only downside is playing in a very tough NFC West.
5 — New York Giants Head Coach
Projected Giants Cap Space: $12M (#21)
Now, the New York Giants were the first to fill their head coaching position by getting John Harbaugh. Great move! However, that doesn’t mean this was the best of the NFL head coach openings. The roster has been improved upon a ton, which is why they retained their GM. Still, the Giants need another wide receiver; they could use more help on the offensive line, and the defense has some secondary holes as well. They have some money and an early draft pick, but the roster won’t change too much.
That could be good or bad, depending on the coach. What the Giants do have is a talented, but injury-prone quarterback, a star wide receiver who was injured all of last season with several injuries, a scary front seven, and an owner who is desperate to win right now. Control over personnel could be a big hurdle to success here, but there is something to work with.
6 — Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
Projected Falcons Cap Space: $30.6M (#15)
The next Atlanta Falcons head coach will be in an interesting situation. They rank in the middle of the pack in terms of money to spend, but free agents like Kaden Elliss, Arnold Ebiketie, Kyle Pitts, Leonard Floyd and Davis Onyemata will garner solid money in the open market. On top of that, they have a giant question mark at the most important position in sports — quarterback.
Michael Penix Jr. showed signs of being a really good quarterback, but how many season-ending injuries are too many at this point? Kirk Cousins played alright down the stretch, but would you be better off cutting him and freeing up over $20M?
The next head coach will have some money to build a team and some really good players, but they do not have a first-round draft pick, and several players on defense could be gone.
7 — Cleveland Browns Head Coach
Projected Browns Cap Space: -$2.6M (#26)
You know what? Good for the Cleveland Browns for not being the worst of the NFL head coach openings. Now, don’t get it twisted — this is a trash franchise in a trash city. However, this is a trash franchise in a trash city with Myles Garrett on defense. Not bad, right?
Jokes aside, this team has a direction, for the most part. They just need work where it matters most. They will need to rebuild the entire offensive line, and they have to figure out the answer at quarterback. They will likely draft someone to compete with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, but it may not be one of the top passers.
They will need to navigate this rebuild carefully, as they don’t have any money. However, the rookies from this past season were fantastic, their defense is great, and they have some talent on offense. Simply, they need an offensive line before anything else can happen. Having two first-round draft picks will help, however.
8 — Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach
Projected Raiders Cap Space: $98M (#3)
How much do you value history and being associated with Tom Brady? Those are the two selling points for the Las Vegas Raiders head coach opening. Yes, they have a bunch of money to spend, but they quite literally need help at every single position on their roster. They may also have finally broken the relationship with Maxx Crosby and have to trade him.
On the bright side, trading Crosby would return great draft capital. The Raiders also have a bunch of money and 10 draft picks, including the first overall pick. The tough part is that it will be quite the rebuild, and you also have to compete in the AFC West.
9 — Miami Dolphins Head Coach
Projected Dolphins Cap Space: -$17.9M (#28)
What an absolute dumpster fire the Miami Dolphins are. They have continued to make their roster worse while also damaging their salary cap. Now, they are currently about $18 million in the hole and have publicly said they are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. While this is a great move, he is guaranteed $54M in 2026, hurting the cap situation more.
The rebuilding of the Dolphins will likely be a long process. One has to imagine both Tua and Tyreek Hill will be playing elsewhere next season, and they may have to trade Bradley Chubb just to get draft picks in order to roster cheaper players.
The bit of good news here is that the Dolphins have three third-round picks, and Miami offers enough distractions in order to not think about offing yourself.
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