Ranking the NFL’s six head coach openings

Black Monday has come and gone, the final whistle of the 2025 NFL regular season has blown, and six franchises are now searching for a new head coach.

For candidates around the league, not all vacancies are created equal. Roster quality, quarterback outlook, draft capital and trust in ownership or the front office all shape how attractive a job really is.

With that in mind, here is how the six openings stack up, ranked from most appealing to least.

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1. New York Giants

The Giants sit atop this list because they offer something few rebuilding teams can: genuine hope at quarterback. Rookie Jaxson Dart showed enough poise and arm talent to suggest he could become a long-term answer, and he is surrounded by legitimate blue-chip pieces.

Malik Nabers, who will return from an ACL tear in 2026, already looks like a cornerstone No.1 receiver, Abdul Carter is a defensive game-changer, and Brian Burns gives New York a premier edge presence.

The major drawback is organisational. General manager Joe Schoen remains deeply unpopular among the fanbase and was fortunate to survive another disappointing season, which will put pressure on any incoming coach.

2. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee’s appeal begins and ends with upside of Cam Ward, the first overall pick in 2025, who flashed the creativity and toughness that teams covet in a franchise quarterback, even if consistency remains a work in progress.

The Titans also hold a top-three pick in the 2026 draft, offering a chance to add another elite building block.

The concern is how much work remains. The roster is thin in the trenches and lacks proven playmakers on both sides of the ball, meaning a new coach would be taking on a longer-term rebuild.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders’ opening is defined by opportunity and risk. Holding the No.1 overall pick in the 2026 draft gives Las Vegas control of the quarterback market, while Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and Maxx Crosby provide elite talent at premium positions.

But organisational instability looms large. Coaching turnover has been constant, and outside of those stars, the roster is shallow, particularly along the offensive line and at wide receiver. A new coach would need patience – and backing – to reshape the team.

4. Atlanta Falcons

On paper, Atlanta looks enticing. Bijan Robinson and Drake London headline an offense with real depth, and the roster overall is more complete than most teams on this list.

The problem is quarterback, and it’s a severe one. Michael Penix Jr. is sidelined after his third ACL tear, Kirk Cousins no longer resembles the player Atlanta hoped for, and the Falcons lack a 2026 first-round pick to find a successor. That uncertainty caps the job’s appeal.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona offers intriguing pieces but major questions. Trey McBride has established himself as the league’s best tight end, Michael Wilson emerged as a legitimate weapon late in the season, and Josh Sweat is coming off a career-high 12 sacks.

With the No. 4 pick in 2026, there is draft flexibility. Still, Kyler Murray’s future is unresolved and complicated by his contract, Calais Campbell is nearing 40, and Marvin Harrison Jr. has yet to justify his hype, leaving a roster caught between timelines.

6. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland rounds out the list despite a promising rookie class. Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin Jr., Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger all impressed in 2025, and the Browns hold two first-round picks in 2026.

But the quarterback situation is toxic. Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders struggled, Deshaun Watson’s injury and contract loom large, and doubts persist about GM Andrew Barry’s ability to solve the position. For most coaches, that combination is simply too much to overcome.