NFL Coaching Carousel: Brady Ascends in Buffalo, McCarthy to Steelers, Daboll Lands in Tennessee

As the NFL season draws to a close with only the Patriots and Seahawks remaining to battle in Super Bowl LX, the coaching carousel continues its rapid spin, ushering in a wave of new leadership across several franchises. This past week has seen a flurry of significant appointments and reassignments, shaping the future of teams from Buffalo to Tennessee.

Bills Promote Brady Amidst Divisional Moves

In a notable move, the Buffalo Bills have reportedly promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, following the departure of Sean McDermott last week. Brady, who has served as the Bills' offensive coordinator since November 2023, steps into his first head coaching role. This decision comes despite the team's public acknowledgment that coaching was a factor in McDermott's exit. Brady is widely respected for his offensive acumen and his ability to maximize player talent, and his continued work with MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen is seen as a key component to getting the team "over the hump," according to Yahoo Sports. The focus for Buffalo now shifts to securing a defensive coordinator to complement Brady's offensive leadership.

Elsewhere in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans are reportedly hiring Brian Daboll as their new offensive coordinator. Daboll, who was fired as the Giants' head coach mid-season after his 2022 hiring, will now have the opportunity to develop 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under the guidance of head coach Robert Saleh. This move follows Monday's news of the Chargers bringing in former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, further reshuffling the offensive minds in the conference.

Steelers and Ravens Make Historic Changes

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a significant leadership change, hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. McCarthy, known for his Super Bowl-winning tenure with the Green Bay Packers and his recent success with the Dallas Cowboys, replaces Mike Tomlin, who resigned at the end of the Steelers' season. This appointment marks only the fourth head coach for the franchise since 1969, highlighting the rarity and weight of such a transition for the Steelers and their desire for a leader with proven success, as noted by Yahoo Sports.

Before the Steelers' decision, the Baltimore Ravens appointed Jesse Minter, previously the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator, to succeed John Harbaugh. Minter, 42, spent four seasons as a defensive assistant with the Ravens under Harbaugh and then followed Jim Harbaugh to the University of Michigan, where he coordinated a national championship defense. His two seasons leading a top-10 DVOA defense with the Chargers earned him widespread respect for his innovative schemes. Minter steps into a high-expectation environment, tasked with guiding a team featuring two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and a roster rich with top-tier talent towards a Super Bowl victory.

Harbaugh to Giants, Stefanski to Falcons

The New York Giants have secured a seasoned leader in John Harbaugh, who has been appointed their new head coach. Harbaugh, a Super Bowl champion with 18 seasons leading the Baltimore Ravens, brings much-needed stability to a Giants franchise that has seen significant coaching turnover since 2015. Despite his age at 63, Harbaugh is seen as having ample energy and the experience to command respect immediately, a crucial factor given owner John Mara's health and the team's desire for a coach to take charge. With a roster featuring promising talents like QB Jaxson Dart, RB Cam Skattebo, and WR Malik Nabers, Harbaugh is expected to revitalize the team's fortunes.

In Atlanta, Kevin Stefanski, previously with the Cleveland Browns, has been hired as the head coach of the Falcons. Stefanski, recognized for his offensive acumen and hybrid coaching schemes, is tasked with lifting a struggling franchise into playoff contention. His experience coaching Kirk Cousins in Minnesota, now a key piece for the Falcons, adds an interesting dynamic. The Falcons are also retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, whose defense showed significant improvement last season. This dual leadership approach, with Stefanski overseeing the offense and Ulbrich maintaining defensive continuity, aims to end the Falcons' eight-year playoff drought, even with challenges such as the quarterback situation and a lack of a first-round pick, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

Dolphins and Titans Round Out Major Hirings

The Miami Dolphins have brought in Jeff Hafley as their new head coach. Hafley's connection to new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who spent over two decades with the Packers, played a significant role in his hiring. Hafley, with prior head coaching experience at Boston College and recent success improving the Packers' defense, is seen as a logical fit for Miami, especially as the team navigates a challenging salary cap situation and endeavors to resolve its quarterback issues post-Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins are expected to leverage their strong defense and key offensive players like running back De'Von Achane while undertaking what is anticipated to be a multi-season rebuilding project.

Finally, Robert Saleh has taken over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Widely believed to have been unfairly judged during his tenure with the Jets, Saleh is known for constructing formidable defenses. He is expected to call defensive plays in Tennessee. His appointment aims to stabilize a Titans franchise that has experienced considerable upheaval, including multiple general managers and head coaches since the firing of Mike Vrabel. With a promising young quarterback in Cam Ward, Saleh's firm and even-keeled leadership is seen as crucial for halting a long period of losing in Tennessee.