2026 NFL offseason: Rating the most effective open coordinator jobs

Coordinator turnover is extra widespread than ever within the NFL. In response to ESPN Analysis, essentially the most new hires we have seen at offensive or defensive coordinator got here within the 2024 offseason, when there have been 33. However fourteen of these hires have been out of their roles by the beginning of the 2025 season.

The 2026 offseason is proving to be no completely different. There have already been 5 hires for offensive or defensive coordinators, together with for a few of the high-profile OC jobs: Mike McDaniel to the Chargers, Eric Bieniemy to the Chiefs and Drew Petzing to the Lions. That leaves 14 complete openings at these positions across the NFL. And with 5 head teaching jobs nonetheless not crammed, much more hirings are on the best way.

We regarded on the present offensive and defensive coordinator market — sorry, particular groups — earlier than the convention championship video games. NFL analyst Ben Solak narrowed the listing of 14 openings to a top-four rating on either side of the ball. Then nationwide NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler gave his newest intel on who might be employed for every of these jobs.

Let’s get into all that beneath. (This listing doesn’t embody the 5 groups with out head coaches, as a result of the coordinators may doubtlessly be retained in these spots.)

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Prime 4 offensive coordinator openings

Why it is No. 1: As a result of the Ravens employed Jesse Minter, a defensive-minded head coach, this job is a type of coveted spots wherein an offensive coordinator can name performs himself. Doing so for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and operating again Derrick Henry is an excellent larger draw! And whereas there are personnel issues at extensive receiver and on the offensive line, the Ravens’ entrance workplace is a reliable one. That is the perfect spot. — Solak

Who may get it: The Ravens interviewed 16 candidates for the top teaching search, which may present some clues for the coordinator spot. Veteran offensive coaches Matt Nagy, Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Brady lately met with the staff. All three could be good suits for Jackson. Denver’s Davis Webb is certified as nicely if he desires to go away Denver to name performs. With deep-rooted ties all through the league, Baltimore’s entrance workplace may also help information Minter on this entrance. — Fowler

Why it is No. 2: The chance to work with Cam Ward is a superb one, because the No. 1 draft choose confirmed loads of indicators that he has a excessive ceiling within the professionals. The Titans presently have the third-most cap house within the NFL ($77.1 million, per Roster Administration System), which supplies a brand new employees the chance to retool the roster to their liking. The protection below new head coach Robert Saleh will do its half, which ought to assist the offensive coordinator look even higher with brief fields and loads of possessions. — Solak

Who may get it: The Titans interviewed Brian Daboll for head coach, so he is a risk. But it surely’s not a slam dunk, as Daboll is within the combine for the Buffalo head teaching job. One other identify to look at is Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a former Titans OC below Mike Vrabel. Smith’s identify is floating round, and he may assist assist Ward with a robust run recreation. Saleh additionally has ties to Dolphins pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. — Fowler

Why it is No. 3: Very similar to the Titans job, the Giants job is a reasonably clean slate with an thrilling rising sophomore quarterback in Jaxson Dart. The return of extensive receiver Malik Nabers and operating again Cam Skattebo from damage will elevate this job even additional. And the presence of Andrew Thomas additionally secures the franchise left sort out spot — a famously robust spot to scheme round. Determining an offense that maximizes Dart’s mobility and likewise protects him from his personal recklessness shall be robust, however the alternative to teach below a well-respected CEO head coach in John Harbaugh makes this job enticing. — Solak

Who may get it: This job is taken into account Todd Monken’s to lose. Monken guided the Ravens to a top-ranked offense below Harbaugh because the unit’s coordinator for the previous three seasons. However Monken continues to be sorting by choices and within the combine for the Cleveland head teaching job. Miami has curiosity in him at offensive coordinator as nicely. Willie Taggart, who was simply the assistant head coach/operating backs coach in Baltimore, can be interviewing for the job. However Monken is the clear favourite at this level. — Fowler

Why it is No. 4: This job has been the equal of the Protection Towards the Darkish Arts job at Hogwarts, with a brand new coach occupying the position in every of the previous 4 seasons. In different phrases, anybody taking the gig ought to achieve this with out dropping deep roots. Expectations are excessive for any coordinator in Philadelphia, because the Eagles have loved a number of Tremendous Bowl runs within the Jalen Hurts period. But when the cut up from extensive receiver A.J. Brown continues to fester, scheming that offense will get a lot trickier. It is not a nasty job, however it’s a charged one. There is a motive different spots are getting crammed first. — Solak

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Who may get it: Philly’s search has been everywhere in the map, and the staff continues to be submitting requests for interviews. I am not completely satisfied former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is off the desk, although there’s not a lot buzz there in the meanwhile. Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is a reputation to look at. The Bears didn’t block Philly’s request to interview Doyle, which implies he is free to make the lateral transfer. Some see him as head coach materials, and this job is usually a springboard if the brand new playcaller improves Hurts’ efficiency. — Fowler

Different opening: Dolphins

Prime 4 defensive coordinator openings

Why it is No. 1: Teaching edge rusher Micah Parsons positive sounds fairly cool. Different younger, secured expertise, reminiscent of linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, cornerback Xavier McKinney and security Evan Williams, provide an amazing base from which a intelligent defensive coach may scheme up a profitable unit. That is one thing Jeff Hafley, the outgoing DC and present Dolphins head coach, did nicely in a number of seasons. The Packers want extra depth at cornerback and defensive sort out, however they’ve been keen to spend to signal free brokers lately. — Solak

Who may get it: Former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon is likely one of the strongest coordinator choices left and is firmly within the combine in Inexperienced Bay, although others are him. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has sturdy ties to former Falcons coach Raheem Morris, who may have coordinator choices if he would not get the Arizona head teaching job. Denver defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard is a reputation to look at, too. He performed and coached at Wisconsin, and he was up for this job in 2021. — Fowler

Why it is No. 2: The footwear in San Francisco are large ones to fill, as outgoing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did great work teaching across the lack of expertise through the 49ers’ unlikely postseason run this season. With Fred Warner and Nick Bosa returning to well being, the 49ers’ defensive roster has expertise … but additionally large holes alongside the defensive position and within the cornerbacks room. This job has had not simply Saleh but additionally DeMeco Ryans fill it in previous seasons, and that historical past of success brings with it excessive expectations. — Solak

Who may get it: Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed senior assistant Gus Bradley is a robust candidate for the job, calling him the “apparent” alternative. Tennessee may also have curiosity in Bradley, and he cannot be blocked from leaving as a result of he is not presently a coordinator. However Bradley staying in San Francisco looks like a smart transfer at this level. Raheem Morris can be a beautiful choice there. — Fowler

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Why it is No. 3: This job is a tough one. The personnel may be very suited to the Minter/Baltimore model of protection, so the job is not a match for anybody with out main personnel overhaul. However with coach Jim Harbaugh operating the staff and an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert, it is a spot the place sturdy teaching can result in successful and future promotion — as proven by Minter himself. — Solak

Who may get it: Harbaugh has a little bit of a starmaker repute, as Minter and Mike Macdonald served as his defensive coordinators at Michigan. Miami DC Anthony Weaver and Tennessee DC Dennard Wilson are amongst suits from the Baltimore tree. Minnesota’s Daronte Jones and Denver’s Jim Leonhard are among the many prime candidates given their expertise as defensive pass-game coordinators. — Fowler

Why it is No. 4: Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux are on the defensive position, that is why. The Giants are well-suited for a giant leap in defensive efficiency, as they underperformed to their expertise stage final season and will develop right into a dominant strain staff as their defensive position continues to gel. Any defensive coordinator who sells out for a four-man rush ( you, Jim Schwartz) ought to love the potential of this group. — Solak

Who may get it: Coach John Harbaugh’s deep-rooted Baltimore ties shall be useful right here. Weaver, who coached in Baltimore from 2021 to 2023, is a viable choice if he would not safe a head teaching job. My sense is that Harbaugh will not run it again together with his 2025 coordinator, Zach Orr, after the Ravens’ defensive struggles. Daronte Jones is a sizzling candidate who has interviewed with the Giants and a number of other others. The Giants may do quite a bit worse than him. — Fowler

Different openings: Commanders, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, Titans