The final whistle of the NFL regular season brings a deafening silence for more than half the league. For twelve teams, the dream of a Super Bowl is alive and kicking. For the other twenty, it’s a day of reckoning, exit interviews, and gut-wrenching uncertainty. This period is famously capped by Black Monday, the day when the axe falls on head coaches and coordinators across the country. As we survey the landscape on January 8th, 2026, the list of NFL coaches fired this year is already sending shockwaves through the league, signaling the official start of the chaotic and fascinating coaching carousel. For several franchises, the future starts now, and it begins with a painful but necessary change at the top.
The Biggest Shock of Black Monday: A Texas-Sized Shake-Up
In a move that has stunned the football world, the Dallas Cowboys have parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy. This decision comes on the heels of a season that was, by all regular-season metrics, a resounding success. The team stormed through their schedule to a 12-5 record, securing another NFC East title and hosting a home playoff game. Yet, the familiar story of postseason disappointment played out once again, this time in a stunning Wild Card round upset that left fans and the front office speechless.
For owner Jerry Jones, it was the final straw. The move underscores a growing impatience in Dallas, where Super Bowl aspirations are not just a goal but an expectation. McCarthy’s tenure was marked by impressive regular-season win totals, but the inability to translate that success into deep playoff runs ultimately sealed his fate. This dismissal immediately makes the Cowboys’ head coaching job the most attractive and pressure-packed opening in the league, and it places McCarthy at the top of the list of the most surprising NFL coaches fired this year.
Clearing the Decks in Chicago and New Orleans
While the news from Dallas was a shock, other changes felt inevitable. Two franchises stuck in neutral finally decided to hit the reset button, hoping a new leader can provide the spark they have been desperately missing.
Saints Finally Move on From Dennis Allen
In New Orleans, the Dennis Allen era has come to a close after another lackluster season. The team finished with a 7-10 record, marking their third straight year without a winning campaign. While the defense often played admirably, the offense remained stagnant and unable to establish a consistent identity in the post-Drew Brees world. The feeling in the building was that the team had a talented roster that was being held back by a conservative approach. The Saints are now in search of a new voice, likely an offensive-minded coach who can unlock the potential of their skill players and re-energize a frustrated fanbase.
Bears Prioritize Offense, Part Ways with Matt Eberflus
The Chicago Bears have also made a significant change, firing head coach Matt Eberflus. This move is less about Eberflus’s defensive acumen and more about the franchise’s all-in commitment to its young quarterback. After showing flashes of promise but ultimately struggling with consistency on the offensive side of the ball, the Bears’ front office decided a change was necessary to ensure their franchise signal-caller’s development. The defense made considerable strides under Eberflus, but in today’s NFL, pairing a young quarterback with an offensive guru is seen as the fastest path to contention. This decision makes it clear that Chicago’s number one priority is building an offensive powerhouse.
The Complete List of NFL Coaches Fired This Year
The changes went far beyond just a few teams. Black Monday lived up to its name, creating several vacancies across the league. Here is a running list of the head coaching changes made so far:
– Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys): Fired after a 12-5 season ended in a first-round playoff loss, with ownership’s patience for postseason failures wearing thin.
– Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints): Dismissed after failing to produce a winning record in his tenure, as the franchise looks for a new offensive direction.
– Matt Eberflus (Chicago Bears): Let go as the organization pivots to finding an offensive-minded head coach to pair with their young quarterback.
– Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders): The new ownership group has opted for a clean slate after a disappointing 5-12 season, seeking to install their own leadership.
– Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans): In a surprisingly quick move, the Titans fired Callahan after just two seasons, following a year of significant regression on the field.
This group of NFL coaches fired this year reflects the league’s cutthroat nature, where even a winning record might not be enough to guarantee job security.
Who’s Next? Top Candidates for the Openings
With multiple teams now searching for a new leader, the focus shifts to the pool of rising candidates. The interview requests are already being sent out, and a few names are consistently at the top of every list. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is once again the hottest name on the market, with multiple teams expected to aggressively pursue the architect behind Detroit’s high-powered offense. His creativity and leadership make him the consensus top choice.
Beyond Johnson, several other intriguing candidates are emerging. Look for defensive coordinators like Ejiro Evero of the Panthers, who has consistently produced strong results with limited talent, to get serious consideration. As insiders like ESPN’s Adam Schefter have noted, the league-wide trend of seeking out the next great offensive mind continues, but a proven leader on either side of the ball will always have value. We could also see a former head coach, perhaps Mike Vrabel, get a second chance to lead a franchise in a new setting.
What This Year’s Firings Tell Us About the NFL
Looking at the NFL coaches fired this year, a few clear trends emerge about the current state of the league. First, the window for success is shorter than ever. Owners are increasingly impatient and are willing to make a change even after a winning season if they don’t see a clear path to a championship. The idea of a five-year plan is rapidly becoming a relic of the past.
Second, the quarterback-coach relationship is paramount. Teams that have invested a high draft pick in a quarterback are more likely than ever to hire a head coach whose primary strength is developing that player. The success of young quarterbacks around the league has only amplified this trend. Finally, stagnation is a death sentence. Teams that tread water in the middle of the pack are prime candidates for a shake-up, as front offices would rather take a chance on a new direction than accept mediocrity.
The dust has barely settled, but the impact of these decisions will shape the league for years to come. For the coaches who lost their jobs, it’s a moment of disappointment. For the teams they leave behind, it’s a chance at a fresh start and renewed hope. The carousel is officially spinning, and the race to find the next great leader is on. Now, the most important work begins in the front offices across the league. Who do you think will be the best hire of the 2026 offseason? The next few weeks will be fascinating to watch.
