Inside The Star
There haven’t been any NFL Divisional round games played yet, but there already have been nine different head coach openings across the league.
John Harbaugh signing in New York is the first domino to fall, and there are eight openings left.
The AFC North nearly swept the entire division, with three of the four teams now needing new leadership on the sidelines.
Like most jobs, some are more attractive than others.
Today, I want to list the openings and discuss how each team ended up moving on from the head coach.
I will be working on more in-depth analysis on each individual head coaching job available and how attractive they are on a ratings scale, but for now let’s just list in alphabetical order.
This article will be broken up into two parts of four teams each, so make sure to keep a lookout tomorrow for part two.
Departed Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon (3 seasons)
Jonathan Gannon was let go by the Arizona Cardinals after three seasons for finishing 4-13 on the season, and ending the year on a nine-game losing streak.
It’s embarrassing for me to say that it would have been 14 consecutive losses to end the season if they hadn’t managed to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.
Gannon should be at the top of many team’s lists for defensive coordinator, and it will be interesting where he ends up.
Departed Head Coach: Raheem Morris (5 seasons)
Atlanta is another team that massively underachieved in 2025 based on projections.
The Falcons, now led by QB Michael Penix, field a high-powered offense with big names like RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts.
Penix was injured early in the season, and the reins were passed back to veteran Kirk Cousins, but even a four game winning streak to end the season wasn’t enough.
Morris should be in the mix for a defensive coordinator position elsewhere.
Departed Head Coach: John Harbaugh (18 seasons)
In perhaps the most surprising coaching move thus far, Ravens’ owner Steve Bisciotti decided to move on from Super Bowl winning coach, John Harbaugh.
The team was unable to overcome injuries to QB Lamar Jackson and several members of the defense, and failed to qualify for the postseason in a win-and-in scenario against Pittsburgh.
Harbaugh won the Super Bowl in 2012 behind an epic postseason performance from then QB Joe Flacco, but recent failures sealed his fate.
He is a great coach with a special teams background, and is close to signing a five-year deal with the New York Giants.
Departed Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns have been the laughingstock of the league for decades, so it should come as no surprise that they are searching for a new head coach.
Kevin Stefanski had the benefit of one of the most talented defensive rosters in the NFL, led by All-Pro and new single-season sack leader, Myles Garrett.
Even...
