The NFL coaching landscape has shifted dramatically recently, with four additional head coaches dismissed, raising the total number of vacancies to six this season. This influx of openings results from underwhelming team records and persistent losing streaks across multiple franchises.
The Arizona Cardinals parted ways with Jonathan Gannon following a disappointing season that starkly contrasted with preseason expectations. Anticipated as strong contenders within the NFC West, the Cardinals managed only three victories, culminating in one of the franchise’s poorest performances historically. Their recent 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams marked the conclusion of a nine-game losing streak and 14 losses in 15 contests overall. Gannon's tenure ended with a 15-36 record over three seasons.
The Las Vegas Raiders relieved Pete Carroll of his coaching duties after a solitary season marked by struggles. Carroll, now the NFL's most senior coach at 74, failed to replicate his past coaching glories. With a 3-14 record this season and a 10-game losing streak preceding their narrow 14-12 victory over Kansas City, the Raiders' season underscored performance issues that led to the decision.
Kevin Stefanski’s time with the Cleveland Browns also concluded following a 5-12 record this season and an overall 46-58 mark spanning six years. Despite steering the Browns to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023 and earning Associated Press Coach of the Year honors both times, Stefanski was unable to stabilize the quarterback position. The Browns cycled through 13 starting quarterbacks, including seven within the last two seasons, a factor contributing to ongoing challenges.
The Atlanta Falcons ended their relationship with head coach Raheem Morris after two consecutive seasons finishing just below .500 at 8-9. Notably, despite ending this season with a four-game winning streak and a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, the Falcons had already been eliminated from playoff contention at that time. Morris originally took over as interim coach in 2020 following the firing of Dan Quinn and returned to the head coach role after serving as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Earlier coaching changes this season include the New York Giants dismissing Brian Daboll on November 10. After an 8-2 start marked by an upset over defending Super Bowl champions Philadelphia, the Giants suffered four consecutive losses, including a game in which they surrendered an 18-point lead against Denver. Daboll’s overall Giants record stood at 20-40-1.
In addition, Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans was the first to be fired this season on October 14, following a poor start with five losses in the first six games and an eventual 4-19 record. Callahan relinquished play-calling duties after opening 0-3 and finished near the bottom of all NFL coaches since the 1970 merger based on winning percentage.