# 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:** 3
**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 9, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/41 "2026-01-09T02:21:40Z")
I’ve never understood this thinking. Kliff Kingsbury is almost Trumpian in his ability to fail upward. He was able to run a college level offense that works for a little bit (thanks to Patrick Mahomes), and then loses repeatedly. Losing record at mid Texas Tech? Get a NFL HC job in Arizona. Losing record in Arizona? Get an OC job in DC? Losing record and pedestrian offensive numbers? Get another NFL HC job? I don’t get it at all, and even less now after failure in Arizona and mediocrity in DC. But I’m more than happy to see an NFL team (not tge Packers) give him another oppurtunity to fail. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/42 "2026-01-09T02:34:02Z")
From what I gather there is a very limited number of people who can/want be a coach of any kind in the NFL, let alone a head coach. Even one that does it badly is still among an elite and very limited field. He may be bottom of the barrel, but he’s still in the barrel. ---
**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 9, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/43 "2026-01-09T03:26:12Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I’ve never understood this thinking. Kliff Kingsbury is almost Trumpian in his ability to fail upward. It’s not a great year for candidates, and I’ll give him credit for being a good QB whisperer, though I agree he’s not the greatest HC candidate. It is hard to put all the losses in Washington on him - the defense was by far the worse offender. If one of these teams has a rookie QB or intends to take one early in the draft, which tends to describe teams that have fired their HC, gives him a shot intending to develop their QB but mainly as a bridge to a better coach down the line, he wouldn’t be the worst idea. ---
**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 9, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/44 "2026-01-09T20:28:44Z")
After firing Mike McDaniel yesterday, the Dolphins indicated that they would start their coaching search after hiring a new GM, which they planned to have accomplished by today. It looks like they have settled on Jon-Eric Sullivan. Sullivan is currently the Packers’ VP of Player Personnel, and has spent the last 22 years working his way up through the Packers scouting and player personnel organization. He will, of course, not only have to recruit a new coach for Miami, but figure out what to do about the Tua Tagovaiola contract. > **[Sources: Fins closing GM deal with Pack's Sullivan](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47560463/sources-dolphins-finalizing-gm-deal-packers-sullivan)** > > The Dolphins are finalizing a deal to hire Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager, sources told ESPN. ---
**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 9, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/45 "2026-01-09T20:54:38Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Sullivan is currently the Packers’ VP of Player Personnel, and has spent the last 22 years working his way up through the Packers scouting and player personnel organization. He will, of course, not only have to recruit a new coach for Miami, but figure out what to do about the Tua Tagovaiola contract. I’m thinking about the talent that the Packers have added to their roster, and I can say that’s not a bad choice based on that. I remember how Green Bay was raked over the coals for drafting Jordan Love with Rodgers still on the roster… ---
**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 9, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/46 "2026-01-09T21:04:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m thinking about the talent that the Packers have added to their roster, and I can say that’s not a bad choice based on that. The ESPN article on Sullivan notes a number of other current and former NFL GMs who came up through the Packers’ front office, including John Schneider, John Dorsey, and Brian Gutekunst. A big part of the reason why the Packers have been able to be consistently good-to-great for over 30 years is the strong front office and smart personnel decisions. One of the best decisions that the Pack ever made was making Ron Wolf their GM in 1991. ---
**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 9, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/47 "2026-01-09T21:06:48Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The ESPN article on Sullivan notes a number of other current and former NFL GMs who came up through the Packers’ front office, including John Schneider, John Dorsey, and Brian Gutekunst. Yeah, Schneider still has ties with the Packers, and sometimes you hear about Seattle and Green Bay making deals because of it. The Packers have a great front office, they are like the Anti-Cleveland. ---
**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 9, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/48 "2026-01-09T21:08:15Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Schneider still has ties with the Packers And, he grew up in the Green Bay area. He attended the same high school that I did (though he’s enough younger than me that we weren’t in school at the same time), and his older sister is a friend of mine dating back to our high school days. During the 2020 Draft, when everyone was working remotely, Schneider was working from his home office, and one of the football helmets on his credenza (seen in a lot of video shots from the draft) was from our old high school team. It’s the one on the right, just under the American flag, in this picture: [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWQc6z7U8AIiLA7.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWQc6z7U8AIiLA7.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/49 "2026-01-10T00:14:38Z")
Washington reportedly promoting QB coach David Blough to OC. Former QB for several teams, has worked with Jayden Daniels the past two seasons. > **[David Blough, Commanders Reportedly Agree to OC Contract After Kliff...](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25354901-david-blough-commanders-reportedly-agree-oc-contract-after-kliff-kingsbury-exit)** > > The Washington Commanders reportedly went with an internal candidate to replace former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/50 "2026-01-10T12:38:16Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Kliff Kingsbury is almost Trumpian in his ability to fail upward. He was able to run a college level offense that works for a little bit (thanks to Patrick Mahomes) > [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I’ll give him credit for being a good QB whisperer Speculation in these parts (Chiefs country) is that Kingsbury will be the OC in Kanas City, reuniting him with Mahomes. Chiefs offense needs something, but I’m not sure Kingsbury is the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/51 "2026-01-11T02:07:35Z")
Harbaugh says he’s [limiting himself to only speaking with a few teams](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47573091/john-harbaugh-limit-coaching-interviews-teams). ---
**Author:** ![OldManLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oldmanlogan/32/5237_2.png) [@OldManLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldManLogan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/52 "2026-01-13T19:17:07Z")
This carousel isn’t slowing down. It’s speeding up!! Mike Tomlin is stepping down from the Steelers even though he’s never had a losing season. Seven straight post-season losses is surely part of it. Change of scenery for everyone involved. [Sources: Mike Tomlin to step down as Steelers head coach - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47600644/sources-mike-tomlin-step-steelers-head-coach) ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/53 "2026-01-13T19:20:51Z")
Wow. That’s a little shocking to me. AFC North should do a coach rotation. Tomlin to Cleveland, Harbaugh to Pittsburgh, Stefanski to Baltimore. Why not? Let’s see what whacky results we can get. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/54 "2026-01-13T19:26:52Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Wow. That’s a little shocking to me. To me, too, but 19 years as a head coach is a very long time in a high-stress job. In addition to the playoff failures in recent years, they’ve had churn and bad play at the QB position for the past four seasons, since Roethlisberger’s retirement, and with Rodgers probably retiring, it might be that Tomlin wasn’t looking forward to yet another rebuild from scratch. As the ESPN article notes, the Steelers have had tremendous stability at head coach, with only three guys holding the position in the last 57 seasons. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/55 "2026-01-13T19:27:20Z")
That’s definitely surprising. Zac Taylor now has the chance to do the funniest thing ever to the AFC North ---
**Author:** ![OldManLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oldmanlogan/32/5237_2.png) [@OldManLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldManLogan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/56 "2026-01-13T19:31:13Z")
Agreed 😆 ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/57 "2026-01-13T19:32:15Z")
AFC North key party! ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/58 "2026-01-13T20:04:45Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > they’ve had churn and bad play at the QB position for the past four seasons, since Roethlisberger’s retirement Researching this: it’s been even worse than I realized. They’ve had six different quarterbacks start at least 4 games for them over the past four years, two of whom they had drafted, and at least one of those (Pickett) they undoubtedly had hoped would be their long-term solution: - Kenny Pickett: 24 starts - Aaron Rodgers: 16 starts - Russell Wilson: 11 starts - Mitch Trubisky: 7 starts - Justin Fields: 6 starts - Mason Rudolph: 4 starts ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/59 "2026-01-13T20:25:40Z")
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Tomlin is overrated. I’m not saying he’s not a _good_ coach - he definitely is. But I don’t think he’s a _great_ coach, and he inherited the team and the HOF QB that gave him his best results. If he was coaching any other team but the Steelers he would have been fired long ago for his playoff failures. Also, in my opinion, he coached his players - like Hines Ward and James Harrison - to play dirty. I know a lot of people love him, but I’ve never been a fan. It will be interesting to see if he has success in another franchise, should he decide to keep coaching. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374/60 "2026-01-13T22:50:25Z")
With Tomlin and Harbaugh out, who is the longest tenured current head coach? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-2025-2026-edition/1026374.md?page=4)