Falcons, Raiders Request To Interview Panthers’ Ejiro Evero For HC
Hours after we learned of his preseason extension, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero received requests to interview for head coach positions with the Raiders (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter) and Falcons (per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). Evero has received some head coaching interest in two of the past three offseasons, but this is the first we’ve seen of his name in this year’s cycle. 
In 2023, Evero’s defense being a lone bright spot in Denver led to him receiving his first head coaching interest, securing interviews for all five vacancies in Arizona, Carolina, Denver, Houston, and Indianapolis. He conducted second interviews with the Texans and Colts and was even rumored to be a finalist for the Cardinals’ job, but ultimately, he accepted a new defensive coordinator position under Frank Reich in Carolina.
The following coaching cycle, continued defensive coaching success with the Panthers kept Evero’s name in the running for a number of open head coaching jobs. Of the eight vacancies in 2024, Evero interviewed for three of them. All three teams (Falcons, Panthers, and Seahawks) brought him back to conduct a second interview, but once again, he returned to his coordinator gig with the Panthers, this time for new head coach Dave Canales.
After featuring so prominently in the previous two coaching cycles, it was surprising to see the 2025 cycle come and go without hearing Evero’s name. This may have been a result of Evero’s defense in Carolina suffering some lows that we hadn’t seen in the coach’s recent tenure as coordinator. In 2024, the Panthers finished dead last in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing defense while finishing 23rd in pass defense. While not outstanding in 2025, the Panthers defense rebounded strongly and Evero is once again being recognized with head coaching interest.
The Falcons have already interviewed four candidates, splitting philosophies evenly with two offensive-minded candidates and two defensive-minded candidates. The team has requested interviews with three other candidates and, including Evero, all four are defensive-minded. It’s interesting to see Atlanta bring Evero in for an interview. His defense swept the Falcons in the regular season, including a 30-0 shutout in Charlotte.
The Raiders have interviewed five candidates for their head coaching job at this point in time, and all but one were offensive-minded coaches. They also have an interview planned with another offensive-minded candidate, but they’ve put out requests to interview two defensive-minded coaches, in addition to Evero.
Follow along with Pro Football Rumors’ 2026 NFL Head Coaching Tracker to see the latest on each candidate’s prospects and each team’s candidates.
Rams OC Mike LaFleur To Interview This Week With Raiders, Cardinals
While his older brother threatens to make headlines of his own in this year’s coaching cycle, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur deserves his own flowers as he is set to interview this week for head coaching positions with both the Cardinals and Raiders, according to ESPN’s Peter Schrager. It had been rumored in the last few days, but these will be the first head coaching opportunities made available to the 38-year-old coordinator in his young career. 
A former quarterback, LaFleur didn’t see the same level of success as his brother, Matt, playing his college ball at Division-III Elmhurst University. He switched to safety for his final year as a player then became an offensive assistant for his alma mater in his first coaching gig. His next job came at Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana as quarterbacks coach for a year and, eventually, offensive coordinator. He spent a year in 2013 at Davidson as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks & wide receivers coach, his first taste of coordinator duties.
In 2014, LaFleur made his NFL coaching debut as an offensive intern with the Browns. The next year, he followed his brother to Atlanta, serving as an offensive assistant while Matt coached quarterbacks. When Matt earned his first offensive coordinator job in Los Angeles in 2017, Mike found his way to San Francisco where he was awarded the position of passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach. He dropped wide receivers from his duties two years later then, in 2021, followed Robert Saleh from the 49ers to New York to serve below Saleh as the Jets’ offensive coordinator.
Despite working with a cast of characters that featured Zach Wilson at quarterback, Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman, and Ty Johnson at running back, and Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Keelan Cole, Jamison Crowder, and Braxton Berrios at wide receiver, LaFleur took an offense that had finished last in the NFL in total offense and 31st in passing offense and saw the unit improve to 26th in total offense and 20th in passing offense in his first season. Adding rookies Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, LaFleur’s second year saw the offense finish 25th in total offense and 15th in passing offense.
LaFleur then got the opportunity to follow in his brother’s footsteps as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2023. He inherited a talented roster that had experienced injuries in 2022 but quickly returned the offense to success with second-year running back Kyren Williams adding a rushing element the team’s newly balanced unit. Wide receiver injuries limited the offense’s effectiveness last year, but LaFleur and the Rams rebounded this year to field the NFL’s top total offense, top scoring offense, top passing offense, and seventh-best rushing offense.
The Raiders are looking to replace Pete Carroll after a one-and-done season with the team. Under Carroll and two different offensive coordinators, Las Vegas finished dead last in the NFL in total offense, scoring offense, and rushing offense while finishing 28th in passing offense. The offense is centered around key young pieces like running back Ashton Jeanty, wide receiver Tre Tucker, and tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, and will have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which some assume may be used to draft Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders would be looking for LaFleur to bring an offensive punch to match what was a decent defense this past year, though it may be losing Maxx Crosby in the future.
The Cardinals are replacing Jonathan Gannon after his three years with the team yielded a 15-36 regular season record. Arizona may be looking to make changes at quarterback this offseason, but the offense rosters one of the league’s best tight ends in record-setter Trey McBride and a strong pair of receivers in Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. The team should also return running back James Conner after his 2025 season-ending injury. Unlike the Raiders, it was the Cardinals’ defense that struggled through most of the season and would need to see major improvements under a new coaching staff.
Now that the seal is broken, LaFleur may start getting calls from other openings around the league. The two teams that have contacted him have already interviewed several candidates that LaFleur will need to outshine; not to mention that may become more difficult if his brother joins the fray. For now, LaFleur can look forward to entering new territory as he prepares for his first head coaching interviews.
Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders, Giants Submit Chris Shula Interview Request
A number of defensive staffers are among the top candidates in this year’s head coach hiring cycle. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is certainly one of them. 
Two interview requests had already been made in his case, but many more have since emerged. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports the Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders and Giants submitted a slip for Shula. That means six of the eight teams which currently have a HC vacancy hope to speak with him.
Both Arizona and Las Vegas had coaches known for their work on the defensive side of the ball until recently. Pete Carroll proved to be a one-and-done staffer upon returning to the NFL. Not long after his firing, Jonathan Gannon‘s three-year tenure with the Cardinals came to an end. Teams often look to coaches with a separate background than their predecessor when making a change on the sidelines, but Vegas and Arizona are casting a wide net.
The Ravens have conducted a large number of interviews already in the aftermath of moving on from John Harbaugh. Baltimore has also requested to speak with three other coaches in addition to Shula, though. Further slips would come as little surprise. The Giants represent one of the top destinations for Harbaugh, but New York has also been connected to a long list of other candidates. That includes several staffers with a defensive background.
The grandson of legendary coach Don Shula, Chris has served as the Rams’ DC for each of the past two years. His success in that role could very well lead to the 39-year-old becoming the latest member of the Sean McVay coaching tree to land an NFL HC gig. Virtual interviews with Shula can take place beginning Tuesday, and several can be expected given the nature of interest in his case.
Raiders, Dolphins Request HC Interview With Jeff Hafley
Jeff Hafley continues to draw notable head coaching interest around the NFL. The Packers‘ defensive coordinator has received another pair of HC interview requests. 
The Raiders and Dolphins have submitted a slip for Hafley, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. That means five of the eight teams with a vacancy have requested an interview in this case. Hafley has already received a request from the Cardinals, Falcons and Titans.
Vegas had not previously been linked to interest on this front, though that had been the case for Miami. Nevertheless, Hafley will be among the busiest candidates in this year’s cycle as he speaks with numerous suitors. Virtual interviews can begin as early as Tuesday. The first in-person summits with interested teams can begin after the divisional round since Green Bay’s season is over.
The nature in which the Packers lost last night represents a notable blemish on Hafley’s resume. Green Bay surrendered 25 points in the fourth quarter as part of the team’s late-game blown lead. That resulted in the Packers’ losing streak extending to five games. Defensive struggles were common during that period, one which took place after Micah Parsons‘ ACL tear.
With Parsons in the lineup, however, Green Bay jumped out to a 9-3-1 start. Hafley’s defense was a key factor in that success. Overall, the Packers finished the season ranked 11th in points allowed despite missing Parsons and others down the stretch. In 2024 – Hafley’s first year with the team – Green Bay ranked No. 6 in scoring defense and fifth in yards allowed. That, coupled with the 46-year-old’s experience as a head coach (at Boston College from 2020-23), has seen him frequently named as one of the top options on the market for this year’s hiring cycle.
The Raiders were among the teams to make a head coaching change on ‘Black Monday’ by dismissing Pete Carroll after just one season in charge. At that point, it appeared as though Mike McDaniel would be safe in Miami. However, he too wound up being fired. Both teams have already begun interviews with some of their HC targets, and they will look to do the same with Hafley.
Dolphins Contact John Harbaugh; Troy Aikman Assisting In HC Search
The Dolphins considered a trade for then-Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in 2019. No deal came together, though, and Harbaugh remained in Baltimore for the long haul. Seven years later, the Dolphins are in the market for a head coach again. With Harbaugh a free agent after the Ravens fired him this week, he’s back on Miami’s radar. The Dolphins contacted Harbaugh and informed him of their interest, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Dolphins became the seventh team to reach out to Harbaugh since he lost his job on Tuesday, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. That means every club without a head coach (excluding Baltimore, of course) has contacted Harbaugh. The Cardinals, Falcons, Browns, Raiders, Giants and Titans are also in the market.
The Giants, Dolphins, Titans and Falcons look like the most realistic fits for Harbaugh, Breer observes, but interest in the 63-year-old extends beyond clubs with head coach openings. Harbaugh has heard from “at least nine other teams,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.
Playoff participants such as Buffalo and Green Bay have come up as potential landing spots for Harbaugh. The Packers, however, seem likely to work out a contract extension with Matt LaFleur. That would rule out Harbaugh joining the Pack.
Harbaugh, who will begin interviewing next week, hasn’t booked anything with the Dolphins yet, Jackson reports. Considering the Harbaugh family has a “longtime relationship” with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him wind up as a front-runner for the position. However, a lack of clarity at quarterback could hurt the Dolphins’ cause.
Harbaugh enjoyed remarkable stability under center throughout his 18-year tenure in Baltimore, first with Joe Flacco and then Lamar Jackson. Thanks in large part to an incredible playoff run from Flacco, the Ravens capped off the 2012 season with a Super Bowl victory. The Ravens haven’t won a championship since then, but Jackson has been an elite QB who has twice earned MVP honors since his first full season in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to figure out how to proceed with Tua Tagovailoa. While Tagovailoa is open to a fresh start, he’s owed a guaranteed $54MM in 2026. Releasing Tagovailoa would cost the Dolphins a record $99.2 in dead money, though designating him a post-June 1 cut would enable to spread that total over two seasons. Still, it would be a less-than-ideal situation for Harbaugh or anyone else who may replace the ousted Mike McDaniel as the Dolphins’ next sideline leader.
Miami’s head coach hiring will come with input from Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who will stay on in an advisory role, Jackson relays. The Dolphins first brought the “Monday Night Football” broadcaster in to assist in a GM search that ended with Sullivan’s hiring. The team appreciated Aikman’s “diligence and effort” during the process, per Jackson. The former Cowboy will now have some say over the HC position, though Sullivan and Ross will lead the way.
In the event the Dolphins don’t hire Harbaugh, Jackson identifies Packers coordinators Jeff Hafley (defense) and Adam Stenavich (offense), former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, ex-Packers and Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and Jaguars D-coordinator Anthony Campanile as names to watch. Sullivan, who spent over two decades in Green Bay, has worked with Hafley, Stenavich and McCarthy. Campanile was Miami’s linebackers coach from 2020-23.
Raiders To Interview Kevin Stefanski For HC Job
Kevin Stefanski is now on four teams’ interview lists. After making meeting arrangements with the Falcons, Giants and Titans, the ex-Browns HC is on the Raiders’ radar.
Las Vegas brass will meet with Stefanski today, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. Stefanski, Vance Joseph and Matt Nagy are meeting with the team today. As PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker displays, Vegas’ Klint Kubiak meeting is scheduled for Friday.
It is certainly not surprising Stefanski demand is this high. This cycle is light on offense-oriented candidates with experience, and Stefanski spent six years coaching the Browns. This tenure brought the most success Cleveland has had since rebooting.
The Browns extended Stefanski in 2024 but fired him Monday following an 8-26 record over the ensuing two seasons — a mark Jimmy Haslam deemed unacceptable this week. Haslam, however, retained GM Andrew Berry despite fingerprints on what is widely viewed as the worst trade in NFL history.
That said, the Browns’ catastrophic Deshaun Watson acquisition brought a line of demarcation during Stefanski’s tenure. The ex-Vikings OC managed to bag two Coach of the Year awards, the second of which coming after the Watson trade. Joe Flacco stepping in and running Stefanski’s offense, despite the Browns missing Nick Chubb and two starting tackles, to make a playoff berth brought only the Browns’ third playoff berth since respawning in 1999. Stefanski was responsible for the second trip as well, re-routing Baker Mayfield‘s career and then having the Browns in a divisional-round duel with a dominant Chiefs team.
Stefanski is just 43 despite having six years’ experience as a head coach. Even with John Harbaugh on the market, it would surprise if Stefanski did not land a second-chance job during this year’s cycle. There are now eight HC vacancies, as the Dolphins have fired Mike McDaniel. He stands to become an intriguing bounce-back candidate, though it is also possible the 42-year-old leader settles as a high-end OC option. Stefanski receiving multiple offers may not be out of the question, and the Raiders’ pattern of HC firings does not make their job overly appealing. Though, the No. 1 pick represents a solid selling point.
The Raiders’ confirmed interviews are mostly on the offensive side so far. Broncos QBs coach and pass-game coordinator Davis Webb joins Nagy, Kubiak and Stefanski in this area of expertise. Thus far, Joseph is the only confirmed interviewee on the defensive side. Teams regularly go in the other direction after a firing, and the Raiders canned two defensive coaches — Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll — over the past two years. Considering Tom Brady‘s push for Ben Johnson in 2025, the Raiders looking toward the offensive side makes sense.
2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker
The Browns, Cardinals, Falcons and Raiders followed the Giants and Titans in firing head coaches, making those calls between the Week 18 conclusion and Black Monday. The Ravens then moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 seasons; two days later, the Dolphins canned Mike McDaniel. Here are the candidates connected to all eight of the HC-needy franchises. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.
Updated 1-11-26 (9:26pm CT)
Arizona Cardinals
- Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Patriots): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): To interview
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): To interview
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9
Atlanta Falcons
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/11
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/10
Baltimore Ravens
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): To interview
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Rumored candidate
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/11
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/9
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): To interview
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
Cleveland Browns
- Aden Durde, defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Rumored mutual interest; Interview requested
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/10
- Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/9
- Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
Las Vegas Raiders
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike LaFleur, offensive coordinator (Rams): To interview
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/8
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
Miami Dolphins
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Rumored candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
New York Giants
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): To interview
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Mentioned as candidate
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Mentioned as candidate
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted; Early frontrunner
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/8
- Mike Kafka, interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): To interview 1/13
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons). Interviewed 1/8
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Antonio Pierce, former head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/9
- Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator (Broncos): To interview
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Rumored candidate
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Rumored candidate
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/7; seen as top candidate?
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate
Tennessee Titans
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Mentioned as candidate
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jason Garrett, former offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/9
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/7
- Kliff Kingsbury, former offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): To interview
- Mike McCoy, interim head coach (Titans): Interviewed
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/14
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): To interview 1/12
- Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Steve Sarkisian, head coach (Texas): Rumored candidate; expected to stay at Texas
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/10
Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Raiders, Ravens, Titans To Interview Vance Joseph
JANUARY 7, 8:58pm: Another new team has been added to Joseph’s docket. According to senior NFL insider Josina Anderson, in addition to the Giants and Raiders, Joseph will interview with the Ravens on Thursday for an opportunity to replace John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
The Browns remain the only team leaving Joseph off the invite list at the moment. Luca Evans of the Denver Post confirmed today through sources that Cleveland had not yet requested an interview. Instead, it’s the former Browns who could be looking to Vance to help their defense reestablish the identity that made the Ravens so notorious for years.
JANUARY 6, 3:48pm: Add the Falcons to Joseph’s itinerary. Atlanta brass will discuss its recently vacated HC position with the Denver DC this week, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. This makes Joseph on the radar for five of the six available positions thus far. The Browns can make it a sweep.
Last year, Joseph met with only the Jets and Raiders. After the Broncos’ defense delivered a second straight strong season under Joseph, more teams have taken notice. While Joseph will shift his focus back to the Broncos’ divisional-round game next week, his bye period will be eventful.
JANUARY 6, 12:03pm: Vance Joseph‘s second Broncos stint has boosted his stock, and after seven years back on the coordinator level, the former head coach is poised to become a strong candidate for a second-chance opportunity. Several teams will meet with the Denver DC about HC vacancies.
The Cardinals, Giants, Raiders and Titans will huddle up with Joseph, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Because the Broncos secured the AFC’s bye slot, Joseph can discuss HC jobs with teams beginning Wednesday of this week. The interviews must be virtual, but Joseph will conduct them all this week.
Joseph’s Cardinals interview is perhaps the most interesting, as he spent four years as their DC. The veteran staffer’s Denver return showed a willingness to return after being fired. While the Cardinals did not technically fire Joseph in 2023 — as they dismantled Kliff Kingsbury‘s staff upon dismissing the HC — they passed on Joseph as the Kingsbury successor.
Joseph interviewed for the Arizona job shortly after Kingsbury’s ouster but did not meet about the position a second time. The Cards gave the job to another defensive-minded coach, Jonathan Gannon, whom they fired Monday.
The Raiders met with Joseph about their HC vacancy last year, eventually giving the job to Pete Carroll. That will make for an interesting meeting this time around, as the team fired Carroll after a 3-14 season. The Giants and Titans came up as interested parties for Joseph ahead of this year’s carousel launch.
There are a host of defensive-minded HC candidates this year but few offense-oriented options for teams. This has allowed Joseph, 53, to move into stronger position to become a second-chance HC. Joseph went 11-21 as the Broncos’ HC from 2017-18, but his quarterback situation — headlined by Case Keenum and the Paxton Lynch draft miss — did plenty to hurt those teams’ chances. After helming a third-ranked defense last season, Joseph repeated that finish in 2025.
The Broncos enter the playoffs third in scoring defense and second in yardage, as Joseph’s defense has powered them to the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2015. While Denver is highly unlikely to lose OC Joe Lombardi, the prospect of losing Joseph and QBs coach Davis Webb is firmly in play.
Commanders Request To Interview Raiders’ Patrick Graham For Defensive Coordinator Job
One day after the Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt, the first candidate to take over the role has emerged. The Commanders have requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
It appears the Raiders will grant the Commanders’ request. Washington plans to discuss the job with Graham on “Friday or Saturday,” a league source told Josina Anderson of The Exhibit.
Graham, a Yale alumnus, began his NFL coaching career as an assistant on Bill Belichick‘s staff in New England in 2009. He remained on Belichick’s staff and held multiple roles through 2015. After dividing the next three seasons between the Giants and Packers, he became a first-time defensive coordinator with the Dolphins in 2019.
Brian Flores, another former Belichick assistant, was the Dolphins’ head coach in Graham’s lone season in Miami. The Dolphins’ defense finished last in the NFL in scoring and 30th in yardage, but Graham still earned a promotion during the ensuing offseason.
Graham left South Florida to work for another ex-Patriots staffer, then-Giants head coach Joe Judge, who hired Graham as an assistant HC and D-coordinator. The Giants ranked ninth in scoring and 12th in yards in 2020, but the unit fell to 23rd and 21st, respectively, the next season. The Giants fired Judge afterward.
Although his run with the Giants didn’t go as planned, Graham quickly landed on his feet as the Raiders’ defensive coordinator. He initially coached under Josh McDaniels, yet another Belichick disciple. McDaniels lost his job during the 2023 campaign, but Graham remained in his post under Antonio Pierce and then Pete Carroll. The Raiders had a top 10 scoring defense in ’23, but they’ve otherwise ranked 25th or worse under Graham. However, they finished either 14th or 15th in yards in each of the past three seasons.
Carroll is now out after one year as the Raiders’ head coach, leaving Graham and the team’s other assistants in limbo. With that in mind, the 46-year-old Graham may jump at the chance to lead the Commanders’ defense if head coach Dan Quinn offers him the position.
Matt Nagy To Interview With Raiders, Cardinals
Looking to land his second head coaching job, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has a busy few days ahead. It was already known that Nagy would interview for the Titans’ head coaching position on Thursday. He’ll also meet with the Raiders on Thursday and the Cardinals on Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Nagy led the Bears from 2018-21, a four-year run in which they made the playoffs twice and went 34-31. He won Coach of the Year honors after helping the Mitch Trubisky-quarterbacked club to a 12-4 campaign.
Nagy’s Bears were unable to build on the success they experienced in his first season. They didn’t win more than eight games in any of his other three years, and they finished 0-2 in the playoffs. He lost his job on the heels of a 6-11 campaign in which then-rookie Justin Fields served as the Bears’ primary starting QB.
Both Trubisky and Fields entered the NFL as first-round picks. Nagy could have another shot at developing a young first-round signal-caller if the Titans, Raiders or Cardinals hire him. The Titans used the No. 1 pick on Cam Ward last spring. The Raiders are expected to take a QB with the first selection in 2026, and the Cardinals could do the same at No. 3 overall.
Nagy was Kansas City’s offensive coordinator in 2017, Patrick Mahomes‘ rookie campaign, but the future Hall of Fame QB sat behind veteran Alex Smith that year. Since returning to the Chiefs as a senior assistant/QBs coach in 2022, Nagy has been part of three AFC-winning teams and two Super Bowl champions.
Nagy’s second stint as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator began in 2023, though head coach Andy Reid has called the plays. Nagy said he doesn’t plan on handling play-calling duties if someone hires him as a head coach, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. In the event Nagy doesn’t receive a second HC chance in 2026, it’s unknown where he’ll wind up. After reportedly rejecting an extension offer from the Chiefs, the 47-year-old is without a contract.