NFL coaching carousel: Where Browns job ranks after Kevin Stefanski is fired

For the first time in over half a decade (which is a long time around these parts), the Cleveland Browns are back on the NFL coaching carousel after firing HC Kevin Stefanski. The team’s announcement included that GM Andrew Berry would remain in his position and that the Browns have a plan for the needs on offense going forward.

Cleveland is not alone in seeking candidates for their head coaching vacancy. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants fired their coaches during the season, the Atlanta Falcons made a number of changes Sunday night, which was then followed by the Browns decision and the Las Vegas Raiders firing of Pete Carroll.

There is a chance that others could join the list, but with a lull possible in those decisions, it is a good time to rank the currently open positions.

In general, head coaching candidates will look at these six things in deciding if they are interested in any head coaching position:

1. Ownership
2. Quarterback
3. Power

• Roster
• Draft capital
• Salary cap space

The first two are almost universally considered priorities in the NFL, with the third often taking precedence over the final three on the list. Candidates want to know they have stable leadership above them at the highest level, at least a solid quarterback (or a very clear way to acquire one), and the chance to be highly involved in decision-making.

Those three things are pretty inflexible once a coach arrives at an organization, while roster, draft capital, and salary cap space are very fluid.

Taking a look at the five openings currently available through the lens of those six values (spoiler: they all have flaws), the Browns rank fourth:

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward is in place, and the Titans have the draft capital and salary cap space to make upgrades quickly. Ownership questions linger.
2. New York Giants – Jaxson Dart is a much bigger question still than Ward, but the Giants have well-respected ownership, a young QB, some defensive studs, and draft capital to work with. Joe Schoen’s presence and low cap space available this year are potential negatives.
3. Las Vegas Raiders – Trusting that a more involved Tom Brady and the top overall pick (to select Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore) is a start. Owner Mark Davis does not have a history of success, but Brady’s involvement might offset that somewhat. The roster is mostly a mess, but the top pick and over $100 million in salary cap space are easy selling points.
4. Cleveland Browns – An owner who has shown patience, including keeping Berry, and is always willing to spend big money, is a fine starting point. One of the best defenses in the league is nice as well, but the offense needs almost everything, and the Browns lack a high enough pick to get a quarterback. Given his first season and how the league viewed him in the 2025 NFL draft, coaches are not coming to Cleveland because of Shedeur Sanders, even if he has some potential. Draft capital is strong, but salary cap space is still limited by the Deshaun Watson contract, whose presence is another factor. Sticking with Berry over Stefanski also limits the ceiling on the new coach’s power.
5. Atlanta Falcons – Arthur Blank is always willing to spend, but is also willing to make changes regularly. Matt Ryan seems to have been given a lot of control over the Falcons, despite not having a title yet, while Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins have proven not to be the answer at quarterback. On top of that, Atlanta has no cap space and traded away their 2026 1st round pick. Concerns at ownership, quarterback, the lack of power, the lack of draft capital, and the lack of salary cap space strongly outweigh the positives of a roster with some really good players on it.

How would you rank these five openings? What variables/characteristics do you think coaches should prioritize in making their list?

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