NFL Coaching Jobs: 2026 Job Security

As NFL teams prepare for mini-camps, head coaches have their sights on the ultimate prize: a Super Bowl win. Everyone aims to succeed, but each year around eight coaches lose their jobs. We take a look at the status of current NFL coaching jobs, using the coach’s status crystal ball to evaluate.

NFL Coaching Jobs: 2026 Job Security

Tier 1: Untouchable, Job Secured

• Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs – This job is safe. He will walk away when he wants to. Simple as that.

#Chiefs HC Andy Reid with high praise on Clemson DT Peter Woods 🗣️

“This is a kid we had our eye on right from the beginning” pic.twitter.com/csSlj8mhji

— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) April 24, 2026

• Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams – An innovator like this is hard to find. 
• John Harbaugh, New York Giants -After his success in Baltimore, Harbaugh moves to New York. This future HOF coach has a safe job for several seasons for sure.
• Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks – Coming off a Super Bowl win, Macdonald is solid in Seattle.
• Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers – Harbaugh has returned the Chargers to relevancy and isn’t going anywhere.
• Sean Payton, Denver Broncos – Payton had the Broncos on a likely path to the Super Bowl before losing Bo Nix in the playoffs. This is another HOF coach who isn’t going anywhere soon.
• Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears – Johnson over-delivered in his first season in Chicago, and he isn’t going anywhere soon, either.

Tier 2: Very Safe

• Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions– Campbell continues to get the Lions to play, and with the Lions having arguably one of the top five draft hauls in 2026, look for Campbell to continue to work his magic.
• Demeco Ryans, Houston Texans– Ryans turned the Texans’ season around last year, and his coaching ability seems to have grown.
• Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers– Shanahan continues to produce playoff teams, and turned in perhaps his best coaching job ever last season with the injury-depleted 49ers to the postseason. San Francisco has seemingly retooled after managing some salary cap concerns, and Shanahan has more to work with this season.
• Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers – Watch for McCarthy to use his experience to get the Steelers back into the playoffs.  A veteran roster led by… gulp, Aaron Rodgers could surprise everyone in this reunion of coach and quarterback.
• Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas Raiders – The darling coaching hire of the offseason takes over for the Raiders, with expectations perhaps low. If Kubiak gains even 6 or 7 wins with this roster, fans and ownership should be happy.
• Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins – In his debut season for the Dolphins, Hafley should have at least one season to prove himself. The Dolphins are in rebuild mode after jettisoning Jaylan Waddle, Bradley Chubb, Tua Tagovailoa, and others, and expectations are low in Miami.
• Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns – The Browns have been a mess for… a long time. Monken stepping in will have leeway, and unless the Brown go winless, his job should be secure.
• Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans – Saleh will invigorate a Titans team that seems to be low on talent. Gain at least three wins, and his job looks to be secure.

Tier 3: Safe, But… Results Matter

• Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots – Just a month ago, Vrabel would have been in the Untouchable group. After the last few weeks of news surrounding Vrabel’s personal life, however,  he is in this group. Do the distractions from his personal life impact the team’s success? This is a ranking that is one of the biggest questions this offseason.
• Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings – Do the Vikings have what it takes to get back into the playoffs? If O’Connell stumbles out of the block, this seat will get hotter.
• Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers – Same as O’Connell. The NFC North is tough, and if the Packers trend towards not making the playoffs, this seat is going to get extremely hot.
• Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals – A healthy Joe Burrow and Dexter Lawrence leading the defense? Taylor can’t afford an iffy season, or this seat moves to the very hot category.
• Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders – Quinn knows how to coach defense, and if Jaden Daniels returns to form, Washington should surprise fans. Quinn’s job security will be shaky, however, if the Commanders don’t rebound from a poor season in 2025.
• Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills – Brady takes over a roster built to win now, and, with Josh Allen at the helm, a Super Bowl is the expectation. Brady has a little room for leeway, but a disappointing season could see the Bills make another move. Nothing is for certain here.
• Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens – Minter takes over for John Harbaugh, and although the Ravens are retooling around Lamar Jackson, expectations for Minter are high. 
• Mike LaFleur, Arizona Cardinals  – Hired to take over this Cardinals team that last season might have had the least talent in the league. LaFleur gets at least four wins, and his job is secure for sure.
• Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers – The Panthers surprised many last season and are now being viewed as an NFC favorite. Canales probably earned some leeway this season as long as they at least make a playoff run.
• Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons – Even though he is in his first season, Stefanski is going to have to prove he can get something out of this Falcons squad. He should be safe unless the Falcons struggle to gain only 3 or 4 wins.
• Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars – Coen has the Jaguars on a path to competing for a division title and a deep playoff run. Unless the Jags somehow stumble to only 5 or 6 wins, his job is safe.

Tier 4, Watchlist. Seat Could Get Hot Quickly

• Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles – Two seasons ago, Sirianni’s job was in jeopardy early on, and then the Eagles went on a run that ended in a Super Bowl victory. This team appears to be loaded, and if they struggle, Sirianni won’t be long in Philly.
• Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys – Jerry Jones might think this team is capable of a long playoff run, but that is questionable. If the Cowboys struggle,  Jones will likely make a change at coach.
• Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts – The Colts began the season on fire before sliding at the tail end of last season. The Colts are a solid bet to make the playoffs, and if they falter, Steichen is probably gone.
• Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bowles is still the skipper of Tampa Bay, but after missing out on the playoffs last season, he needs to get this group back to the postseason, or his tenure is likely over.
• Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints – This Saints roster could be a problem for Moore’s longevity as coach. Unless he can gain at least 6 wins or so, his coaching job is in jeopardy and he remains in our NFL coaching jobs watchlist.

Tier 5, Hot Seat. Risk is High

• Aaron Glenn, New York Jets – This roster underperformed in 2025, and many thought Glenn would have had better results. After a draft class that has some being optimistic on the Jets’ fortunes, Glenn has to demonstrate he can get this group to play with effort. A slow start, and Glenn’s future will be in question immediately.

Aaron Glenn drafted D’Angelo Ponds

Who is D’Angelo Ponds’ player comparison? Aaron Glenn! pic.twitter.com/vHyNZMQxnS

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 25, 2026