The NFL coaching carousel is about to spin into overdrive, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Championship Sunday in the books, the race to secure top coaching talent is heating up—but here’s where it gets controversial: not every team is playing by the same rules. While some franchises are already deep in negotiations, others are stuck in limbo, waiting for the Super Bowl to crown its champion. Why? Because the NFL’s coaching search timeline is a complex dance of rules, restrictions, and strategic timing.
Following Sunday’s high-stakes matchups, teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Steelers are now free to engage with assistant coaches from the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks. But here’s the twist: the Buffalo Bills, who recently parted ways with Sean McDermott, are limited to candidates whose seasons have already ended. They’ll have to wait until after Super Bowl LX on February 8 to interview anyone from a team still in contention. Is this fair? Or does it give some teams an unfair advantage?
Let’s break it down team by team, starting with the Raiders. They’ve got their eyes on at least two—possibly three—candidates from Sunday’s games. Among them is Broncos offensive passing game coordinator Davis Webb, whose NFL quarterback experience and leadership skills make him a standout. But here’s the part most people miss: Webb has never been a coordinator. Does that disqualify him, or is his potential too big to ignore? The Raiders are also eyeing Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Kubiak, in particular, fits their mold of a young, offensive-minded coach, though he was a top contender for the Falcons’ job before they hired Kevin Stefanski.
The Browns, meanwhile, have been busy conducting second interviews, most recently with Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. Their top candidate, however, might be Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who’s expected to retain defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz if hired. But here’s the catch: Cleveland hasn’t yet fulfilled the Rooney Rule requirements, making them the only team unable to finalize a hire. Is this a minor delay, or a significant setback?
The Cardinals are taking a broader approach, bringing in Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile for a second interview and planning to speak with multiple candidates from Sunday’s conference finalists. One name to watch? Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a respected coach in his own right. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is also in the mix, with a second interview scheduled for Sunday.
And then there’s Green Bay, who lost defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to the Dolphins. The Packers have already interviewed former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Bears assistant Al Harris, but the real intrigue lies with Jim Leonhard. A Wisconsin native and ex-Badgers star, Leonhard is currently Denver’s defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach. Could his ties to the state make him the perfect fit? Or is this just wishful thinking?
As the coaching carousel spins toward its conclusion, one thing is clear: the results of the AFC and NFC Championship Games will shape the future of multiple franchises. But here’s the question we’re all left pondering: In this high-stakes game of musical chairs, who will end up with the best seat at the table—and who will be left standing? Sound off in the comments: Which team do you think has the strongest coaching lineup, and which hire are you most excited to see?
