# NFL Coaching Carousel 2025-2026 edition **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374 "2026-01-05T17:12:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/201 "2026-01-28T02:20:15Z")
well, at least Browns do have a good defense to start with ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/202 "2026-01-28T02:27:24Z")
Yes, there are some good pieces in place there. Freaking Myles Garrett alone is a generational talent IMHO. But you just have to pretty much coach what you have, with such little cap space, and the offense is a mess, one of the worst in the entire league. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/203 "2026-01-28T02:29:50Z")
and when talking about Browns, don’t forget Haslam was sued for cheating with his Flying J company ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/204 "2026-01-28T13:52:44Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I have a strong personal dislike of this guy, but this is fucking ridiculous. I’m still thinking about this. This is Bill Polian’s doing, at least partially, right? What a dink. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/205 "2026-01-28T15:20:34Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > This is Bill Polian’s doing, at least partially, right? There is reporting out there saying Polian told other voters that Belichick should have to “wait a year” due to cheating allegations, but no direct quotes. Polian himself, when asked about it, said he voted for Belichick, but then backtracked and said he was “95% sure” he voted for Belichick. Um, right. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/206 "2026-01-28T15:30:32Z")
I do not understand many of the decisions NFL GMs and owners make, but I find the firing of Sean McDermott by the Bills and the retention of GM Brandon Beane to be incredibly silly. Beane’s draft history is spotty at best (while he did draft Josh Allen, hes whiffed on so many others and never got Allen a even average WR crew). Meanwhile McDermott has consistently had success with the less than stellar talent he’s been given. I find the entire “the team needs new vibes” to be an incredibly silly concept for a team of 90+ grown ass men professional men. I lke Josh Allen and I hope this isn’t a “let’s appease/give roster say to our QB” like Seattle did with Russ. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/207 "2026-01-28T16:27:57Z")
The Browns are going with Todd Monken. He’s a longtime assistant coach, most recently the OC for the Ravens; his only head coaching experience was at Southern Miss from 2013-15. > **[Sources: Browns hiring Todd Monken as new coach](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47754909/browns-hiring-todd-monken-new-coach)** > > The Browns are hiring former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/208 "2026-01-28T19:11:13Z")
Looks like the Giants will need to look elsewhere for a new OC, then. He was on the short list. In other coaching news, Buffalo DC Bobby Babich is leaving to serve as the Packers’ defensive pass game coordinator under new Green Bay DC Jonathan Gannon, taking the place of Rob Downard who left with Hafley. It looks like he saw the writing on the wall in Buffalo. > **[Packers hiring former Bills DC Bobby Babich as pass game coordinator](https://packerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2026/01/28/packers-hiring-former-bills-dc-bobby-babich-as-pass-game-coordinator/88396770007/)** > > The Packers are hiring former Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich as the defense's new pass game coordinator. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/209 "2026-01-28T20:35:59Z")
Browns are so pathetic they couldn’t even land their young targets that were too raw to be HC targets for anyone else, pissed off JIm Scwhartz in the process, and they settle on… someone no one wants. Awesome job guys. I said when they did it that if they fire Stefanski they better have a specific target in mind they can land otherwise this is fucking stupid, and surprise surprise, it’s fucking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/210 "2026-01-28T20:38:27Z")
Show, don’t tell They didn’t want to tell the world their management was stupid, so they opted to show it, instead ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/211 "2026-01-28T21:00:49Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > It looks like he saw the writing on the wall in Buffalo. In the sense that he was due to be replaced, or he sees an oncoming disaster he doesn’t want to be part of, or both? Going from DC to Pass Game Coordinator seems like a voluntary demotion, and an odd transition, as I don’t see how running a defense translates well to managing the passing on a team. Unless he wants to be an OC and this is a step towards that? It still seems weird. (Or maybe it’s just the best job he could land and he really needed to leave Buffalo.) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/212 "2026-01-28T21:17:05Z")
The former. The defense in Buffalo was not bad, given the personnel, but not great and the current line is that there’s nothing wrong with the roster and the coaching was to blame for it all. Also doesn’t help that McDermott took over defensive play calling duties. It was only going to be a matter of time before he was fired, especially with a new coach coming in. Might as well get a head start. He’s not the only one. The WR coach has been picked up by Pittsburgh to be their new WR coach - a lateral change, at least by title. Though, the consensus outside of Orchard Park seems to be he did a good job given the …er challenging group of WRs he had to work with. Joe Brady certainly has his work cut out for him. Going to be an interesting year for them. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/213 "2026-01-28T21:39:10Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I don’t see how running a defense translates well to managing the passing on a team. Unless he wants to be an OC and this is a step towards that? Note that he’s going to be the _defensive_ passing game coordinator. Still sounds like a demotion, but it’s not a defense-to-offense move. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/214 "2026-01-28T21:42:50Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Note that he’s going to be the _defensive_ passing game coordinator. Still sounds like a demotion, but it’s not a defense-to-offense move. I didn’t see that, thanks. That makes a lot more sense. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/215 "2026-01-29T03:47:02Z")
well, when you have Peyton Manning and still lose a half-dozen times to BB, plus never getting past him when you were with Bills, I guess you were anxiously waiting for this chance to hose him ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/216 "2026-01-29T03:48:47Z")
instead of promoting Schwartz, who now wants to leave ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/217 "2026-01-29T03:54:32Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > instead of promoting Schwartz Well, with a new coach who’s coming from a different team, it’s typical for the old staff to not be invited to remain, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/218 "2026-01-29T03:56:05Z")
well, the new guy has some big shoes to fill, considering Schwartz reputation.record ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/219 "2026-01-29T03:56:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Well, with a new coach who’s coming from a different team, it’s typical for the old staff to not be invited to remain, anyway. A lot of head coaches have some coaching staff that come with them, like a posse. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/220 "2026-01-29T13:07:04Z")
True but some teams like to have some coaches stay on. You get the feeling the Browns wanted to have their cake and eat it, too, i.e. at least retaining Schwartz in some capacity. But the dysfunction in Cleveland runs deep and, like Buffalo, it seems to be more about maintaining their delusion that the HC rather than ownership/front office was primarily responsible for the team’s woes. When your team has averaged a new HC roughly every 2 years since the league went to 32 teams (their longest tenured HC of the last 35 years after Stefanski was named Belichick?!) maybe the coaching is less of an issue? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374.md?page=12)