NFL Coaching Changes & Hires in 2025

Updated Dec. 5, 2025

Heading into the 2025 NFL season, seven teams enter the year with a new head coach in what has become one of the most memorable NFL coaching cycles in recent memory.

With big-name coordinators and former head coaches getting second chances with new organizations, these teams have hope that they’ve not only found the right person for the job, but that these head coaches will help return their teams to prominence.

Here’s a look at all the NFL coaching changes in 2025 so far.

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NFL Coaching Changes for 2025

Seven teams shook up their coaching staff with a new head coach in the offseason:

• Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears (formerly Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator)
• Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots (formerly Tennessee Titans Head Coach)
• Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars (formerly Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator)
• Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders (formerly Seattle Seahawks Head Coach)
• Kellen Moore – New Orleans Saints (formerly Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator)
• Aaron Glenn – New York Jets (Former Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator)
• Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas Cowboys (formerly Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator)

Let’s see where each coach stands with their new squad:

Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears

Record: 9-3, First in NFC North

Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are 9-3 and first in the NFC North. They have won five games in a row and nine of their last ten. Since week three, they are the NFL’s best rushing team, led by the duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai and an elite offensive line.

Oh, and the Bears have secured their first winning season since 2018. Yeah, this was a great hire for the Bears.

Chicago’s Young Weapons

A major reason why Johnson took the role was because of the cornerstone franchise pieces that Chicago has, namely quarterback Caleb Williams.

Williams has had a huge turnaround from his rookie season, most notably in the number of sacks that he’s taken. Last year, he led the league with 68 sacks, nearly four per game.

Through 12 games this year, he’s been sacked just 19 times. He leads the league in fourth quarter comebacks with five. And though his completion percentage is under 60%, he looks a lot more comfortable behind center, averaging more passing yards per game with a higher passer rating and a higher QBR.

We mentioned Monangai’s emergence, but second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has emerged as the team’s leading receiver with 661 yards and six touchdowns. Then there’s rookie tight end Colston Loveland who has come on of late to be the dynamic passing threat that they hoped he would be when they drafted him in the first round.

A defense of vultures

This is a team that’s pulling out scrappy wins. Their defense isn’t necessarily dominant, but they are opportunistic. They lead the league in turnovers and time and again get defensive stops when they need them most.

Next up: Chicago ends their year with three of their final five games against divisional opponents, including two against the Green Bay Packers. This five-game stretch will determine the NFC North and possible playoff seeding.

The vibes in Chicago are shifting. Johnson even scored hot dogs for everyone in the city after ripping his shirt off following a win over Philadelphia last week. Maybe a deep playoff run isn’t had this year, but this is a team that has the right pieces to contend for years to come.

Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots

Record: 11-2, First in AFC East

Another huge head coach signing this offseason was Mike Vrabel’s return to New England. Vrabel excelled as the coach for the Tennessee Titans. Now, he’s instilling a hardnosed culture that has been embraced with open arms in New England.

Patriots’ Historic Turnaround

Vrabel has completely turned the Patriots around after having the league’s fourth-worst record a year ago. At 11-2, they’re first in the AFC and seem primed for their first AFC East title since 2019.

The Pats are seventh in points for, fifth in points against and they are getting contributions from everyone, namely second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye has far exceeded expectations in his second year, leading the league in completion percentage, passer rating, and average yards per attempt. His tremendous season has put him front and center in the MVP conversation, which hasn’t happened for a second-year player since Patrick Mahomes back in 2018.

Their defense is one of the best at the line of scrimmage teams in the league, ranking top five in tackles for loss and yards per carry.

Offensive Weapons Emerging

Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson looks like the running back of the future. Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas have finally emerged as young receiving threats for New England, which for years has struggled to develop receiving talent. They have been complemented by veteran pass catchers Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry.

Next up: After a Week 14 bye, the Pats come right back to host the Buffalo Bills in a game that could settle once and for all the AFC East, before traveling to Baltimore, traveling to New York to take on the Jets and then hosting Miami in Week 18.

It’s very well possible that the Patriots end up as the number one seed in the AFC, with the AFC playoff picture running through Gillette Stadium just like it did for 20 years.

Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 8-4, Tied first in AFC South

Coen has helped engineer a dramatic turnaround for the Jaguars. At 8-4, they are tied for first in the AFC South after finishing as the third-worst team in the NFL a year ago.

The success has largely been driven by a dynamic run game led by Travis Etienne and a defense that’s one of the league’s best at forcing turnovers and the league’s best against the run.

The Jaguars are 11th in points for and 12th in points against, so they’re not blowing teams out, but they are winning tight games in a variety of ways and have racked up key victories against playoff teams like the Chargers, the Chiefs, the 49ers and potentially the Texans.

Trevor Lawrence Remains a Question Mark

Coen has still not been able to unlock the full potential of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Despite helping the team to what’s looking like their best record since 2022, Lawrence is on pace for a career-worst completion percentage and his lowest QBR and passer rating since his rookie season. He’s also set to hit a new career high for sacks taken, having taken 32 sacks through 12 games already.

Jacksonville has faced a number of injuries to their receiving corps, namely Brian Thomas Jr., who has come nowhere near replicating the success that he had as a rookie. And rookie Travis Hunter was just emerging as the receiving threat many thought he would be before being lost for the season with a knee injury. Even still, the one-time generational prospect has yet to show it.

Next up: Jacksonville ends its season with two games against the Indianapolis Colts, who they are tied with atop the AFC South. Those two games will determine the division and whether or not Jacksonville continues their turnaround all the way into the postseason.

Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders

Record: 2-10, Fourth in AFC West

Pete Carroll was hired to help the Las Vegas Raiders win now with pressure from new minority owner Tom Brady.

Carroll brought head coaching firepower. He brought in Geno Smith, who he had worked with in Seattle. He drafted Heisman Trophy runner-up running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round. He re-signed Maxx Crosby to what was then a record deal for a non-quarterback contract.

That has combined to make Las Vegas one of the league’s worst teams.

Disastrous Season in Vegas

At 2-10, they are one of the league’s worst teams. They’ve lost six straight and nine of their last 10 games. They’re 31st in points scored at just 14.9 per game and 26th in points against.

Though Carroll has brought his trademark enthusiasm to the role, that does not make up for the lack of talent, specifically at wide receiver. The Raiders have a long way to go in retooling.

They fired Chip Kelly, who was the highest-paid coordinator in the league. They fired their special teams coach in Week 10, and for Carroll, it’s looking like he is the next man up to lose his job.

Next up: A home matchup against the Broncos awaits in week 14 before they travel to Philly and then Houston, three straight games against teams vying for the playoffs.

Aaron Glenn – New York Jets

Record: 3-9, Fourth in AFC East

Aaron Glenn didn’t come in with a lot of expectations in New York. No one believed that the Jets had the firepower to meaningfully compete in the AFC East, let alone in the AFC. And that has borne out.

They’re 28th in offensive yards, including dead last in passing yards. They’ve been one of the league’s worst against the run. And they traded away their star defensive players in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner.

Rebuild Mode in New York

The Jets are headed for a full-on rebuild, and the major question is going to be whether or not Jets ownership thinks Aaron Glenn is the right person to oversee this chapter. The Jets have had four coaches since 2020, and ownership has been notoriously flaky in committing to head coaches.

The list of pieces the Jets need to compete in their own division is long, but it starts, as it has for more than two decades, with quarterback. The team signed Justin Fields to be their starter coming into the season. However, he has been benched in lieu of Tyrod Taylor.

Next up: A home matchup against Miami before traveling to Jacksonville and New Orleans. They end their year against the Patriots and Bills as they try to play spoiler and earn some moral victories.

Kellen Moore – New Orleans Saints

Record: 2-10, Fourth in NFC South

Kellen Moore also entered this year with very little expectations. The Saints had no answer at quarterback and could not address that need during the draft, though they tried with a second-round pick in Tyler Shough.

They’re also in a very tricky financial spot, so this is a long-term project that Moore is expected to oversee.

Bottom of the Barrel

The team has been one of the league’s worst. They’re 30th in points scored and 22nd in points against. Chris Olave has rebounded well after a brutal head injury in 2024, but beyond him, there are not many playmakers to speak of.

It’s still unclear whether or not Shough is the answer at quarterback or if they indeed need to look to the draft to find another one. Running back Alvin Kamara has been the offensive linchpin for almost a decade, but he turns 31 next year and has scored just one touchdown this year. His tenure with the team seems to be coming to an end.

Next up: The Saints travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers before hosting the Carolina Panthers, two teams competing for the NFC South division.

Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas Cowboys

Record: 6-6-1, Second in NFC East

Schottenheimer has had a fairly successful year as head coach of the Cowboys.

They’re the third-ranked offense in the league, led by a dynamic passing attack featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. They have revitalized Javonte Williams’ career who has posted 1,000 yards rushing for the first time. And they’ve scored more than 30 points in half of their games.

Their defense is a much different story.

Defense Remains the Achilles Heel

The issue for Dallas has been their defense. They’re 31st in points against. After a three-game win streak that started with the acquisition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the deadline, the Cowboys gave up 44 points to the Lions on Thursday Night Football, including 408 total yards.

Though they look much better against the run, this is a defense that still has a ways to go to be able to allow the Cowboys to compete. They have allowed less than 20 points just once this season and it was against Raiders who own one the league’s worst offenses.

Next up: At 6-6-1, the Cowboys need to win out to give themselves a good chance at the playoffs. Luckily for them, just one of their remaining four games is against a team with playoff aspirations. They have all the chances to put themselves in a position to have a postseason run, but they’ll need to pull out the stops to do it.

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NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2025

Several head coaches entered 2025 with pressure mounting, and as we near the end of the season, many of those questions have only intensified. The combination of underperforming rosters, quarterback instability and declining year-over-year results has pushed multiple coaches toward a crossroads.

Kevin Stefanski – Cleveland Browns

The Browns are once again at the bottom of the AFC, and the franchise’s complicated quarterback situation continues to overshadow everything else. Stefanski helped orchestrate the Deshaun Watson trade and is now juggling rookies and backups as the offense struggles. With a talented defense and multiple future first-round picks, the organization may opt for a fresh start.

Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders hoped Carroll could spark a win-now turnaround, but a 2–10 start and multiple in-season staff firings have moved the pressure squarely onto him. With no real offensive progress and roster issues everywhere, the focus is shifting from coordinator changes to whether Carroll is the right long-term fit.

Zac Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals

Despite previous success, including a Super Bowl appearance, Cincinnati continues to slide. Injuries to Joe Burrow haven’t masked the bigger issue: a defense that’s ranked near the bottom for multiple seasons. Continued slow starts and inconsistent preparation have placed Taylor under renewed scrutiny.

Mike McDaniel – Miami Dolphins

A 1–6 start put McDaniel’s job in jeopardy early, though Miami has rebounded with improved rushing offense and defensive consistency. He’s safe for now, but questions linger about long-term viability, playoff competitiveness, and whether he can get more out of Tua Tagovailoa.

Jonathan Gannon – Arizona Cardinals

After a promising 2024, Arizona has taken a major step backward. Gannon’s strained relationship with Kyler Murray, sideline blowups and an offense stuck in neutral have raised eyebrows across the league. With the Cardinals sitting in the NFC West basement, his margin for error is shrinking.

Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles

It’s unusual to see an 8-4 coach on the hot seat, especially when it’s a reigning Super Bowl Champion team, but Philadelphia’s performance has been disjointed all year. Offensive inconsistencies, defensive breakdowns, and public frustration from key players have created growing concern. This roster is built to contend right now, and anything short of that magnifies questions about leadership.

Aaron Glenn – New York Jets

In his first year at the helm, Glenn has struggled to elevate a roster already gutted by trades of cornerstone defenders. The Jets sit near the bottom in points allowed, takeaways, and passing efficiency. A full rebuild is coming – the only uncertainty is whether Glenn will be the one leading it.

Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers

Tomlin’s resume speaks for itself, yet nearly a decade without a playoff win and a team trending downward have sparked rare rumblings about the future. Pittsburgh hasn’t topped 10 wins since 2020, and with no clear answer at quarterback, the franchise could eventually consider a philosophical reset.

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Coaches on the Cool Seat

Shane Steichen – Indianapolis Colts

Steichen entered the year on the hot seat, having seemingly failed the Anthony Richardson experiment and carrying a .500 record with no playoff appearances into his third season. But to his credit, he has thoroughly turned around the Colts, who are 8-4 and tied for first in the AFC South.

Though they’ve lost two straight, Indy appears headed for the playoffs behind one of the league’s most potent and balanced offenses. Having traded two first-round picks for a key player, Indianapolis ownership seems to have faith in both the head coach and general manager Chris Ballard.

Time will tell if that faith extends to their quarterback situation and whether Steichen can deliver a playoff victory in his third season.

Coaches Fired in 2025

Brian Callahan – Tennessee Titans

Brian Callahan is the first coach to be fired in the 2025 season. After a 3-14 season in his first year, Callahan was given the chance to draft quarterback Cam Ward with the number one overall pick, a glaring positional weakness a year ago. That pick, in some minds, could buy Callahan some time to construct a new team and identity.

However, after a 1-5 start to the season, a -69 point differential, relinquishing offensive playcalling duties to no avail and a press conference where he admitted to not fully knowing the rules for a completed catch, the Titans relieved Callahan of his duties and promoted senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy to interim head coach.

The next Titans head coach will inherit a formidable project in bringing the team back to playoff contention. The team seems to have found the answer at quarterback in Cam Ward, Jeffrey Simmons is among the league’s best defensive tackles and they will almost certainly have a top five draft pick in next year’s draft. After that, it’s a series of what if’s.

Brian Daboll – New York Giants

Brian Daboll entered the year with a sizzling seat and now it’s a pile of ash. Each year has gotten worse for Daboll in New York. And after last year’s 3-14 finish, the release of Daniel Jones midseason and the signing of Russell Wilson, saving his job would require a miracle.

His Hail Mary was drafting a first round quarterback. After an 0-3 start under Wilson, Daboll named rookie Jaxson Dart as the starter. The team went 2-5 since the change which was not enough to keep Daboll in the Big Apple.

The next Giants head coach will inherit a team with outstanding pieces on both sides of the ball. Malik Nabers has the makings of an All-Pro receiver, Cam Skattebo showed flashes of a two-way playmaker out of the backfield and even if he isn’t the answer at quarterback, Dart has kept things exciting.

Their defensive front is one of the league’s best. Led by Pro Bowlers Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence alongside Kavyon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter.

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