The NFL hiring — and firing — cycle is upon us as the regular season concludes. The Giants and Titans already have openings at head coach while the Dolphins are the lone team without a GM.Recent history tells us there will be six to eight head coach vacancies and two to four GM openings. But in talking with sources around the league, it is definitely harder to get to that total at GM than it is at head coach.The NFL has tried to slow the hiring process down the last few years. Since it’s been 12 months since we have gone through this, here’s a quick refresher on the upcoming calendar:Teams will start requesting interviews with candidates early this week, and teams can interview candidates on teams who aren’t playing in the wild-card round beginning Tuesday (in the case of the four teams playing Saturday night) and Wednesday (for everyone else playing Sunday). In-person interviews can’t begin until Jan. 19 unless the coach is not employed by a team, and a second in-person interview can’t take place until Jan. 26. And in order to complete the hiring process, teams must comply with the Rooney Rule which dictates interviewing, in person, at least two external candidates who are people of color or women.No matter what, be sure to remember that your favorite team is “casting a wide net” looking for “the right person that fits” them regardless of background, because your team “will leave no stone unturned” to make sure they “get this right” with the goal of “building a sustained winner.”
Here’s what I’m hearing at head coach
Browns, Stefanski headed for splitsville The Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski appeared destined for a breakup after six seasons. A two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Stefanski is 44-56 at the helm in Cleveland with two winning seasons and two playoff appearances. At 43, Stefanski remains a young coach who is well thought of across the league, and few would be surprised if he winds up getting another head-coaching gig this cycle. In consecutive losing seasons Stefanski has handed off play-calling duties to his offensive coordinator, with last year going to Ken Dorsey and…
Try WordAi Free
2026-01-03 19:55:55
