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2026 NFL offseason: Ranking the best open coordinator jobs
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Jeremy Fowler
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Ben Solak
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Ben Solak
ESPN
- Ben Solak joined ESPN in 2024 as a national NFL analyst. He previously covered the NFL at The Ringer, Bleeding Green Nation and The Draft Network.
Coordinator turnover is more common than ever in the NFL. According to ESPN Research, the most new hires we’ve seen at offensive or defensive coordinator came in the 2024 offseason, when there were 33. But fourteen of those hires were out of their roles by the start of the 2025 season.
The 2026 offseason is proving to be no different. There have already been five hires for offensive or defensive coordinators, including for some of the high-profile OC jobs: Mike McDaniel to the Chargers, Eric Bieniemy to the Chiefs and Drew Petzing to the Lions. That leaves 13 total openings at those positions around the NFL. And with five head coaching jobs still not filled, even more hirings are on the way.
We looked at the current offensive and defensive coordinator market — sorry, special teams — before the conference championship games. NFL analyst Ben Solak narrowed the list of 13 openings to a top-four ranking on each side of the ball. Then national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler gave his latest intel on who could be hired for each of those jobs.
Let’s get into all that below. (This list does not include the five teams without head coaches, because the coordinators could potentially be retained in those spots.)
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OC openings | DC openings
Top four offensive coordinator openings
Why it’s No. 1: Because the Ravens hired Jesse Minter, a defensive-minded head coach, this job is one of those coveted spots in which an offensive coordinator can call plays himself. Doing so for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry is an even greater draw! And while there are personnel concerns at wide receiver and on the offensive line, the Ravens’ front office is a trustworthy one. This is the ideal spot. — Solak
Who could get it: The Ravens interviewed 16 candidates for the head coaching search, which could provide some clues for the coordinator spot. Veteran offensive coaches Matt Nagy, Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Brady recently met with the team. All three would be good fits for Jackson. Denver’s Davis Webb is qualified as well if he wants to leave Denver to call plays. With deep-rooted ties throughout the league, Baltimore’s front office can help guide Minter on this front. — Fowler
Why it’s No. 2: The opportunity to work with Cam Ward is a great one, as the No. 1 draft pick showed plenty of signs that he has a high ceiling in the pros. The Titans currently have the third-most cap space in the NFL ($77.1 million, per Roster Management System), which gives a new staff the opportunity to retool the roster to their liking. The defense under new head coach Robert Saleh will do its part, which should help the offensive coordinator look even better with short fields and plenty of possessions. — Solak
Who could get it: The Titans interviewed Brian Daboll for head coach, so he’s a possibility. But it’s not a slam dunk, as Daboll is in the mix for the Buffalo head coaching job. Another name to watch is Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a former Titans OC under Mike Vrabel. Smith’s name is floating around, and he could help support Ward with a strong run game. Saleh also has ties to Dolphins pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. — Fowler
Why it’s No. 3: Much like the Titans job, the Giants job is a fairly blank slate with an exciting rising sophomore quarterback in Jaxson Dart. The return of wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo from injury will elevate this job even further. And the presence of Andrew Thomas also secures the franchise left tackle spot — a famously tough spot to scheme around. Figuring out an offense that maximizes Dart’s mobility and also protects him from his own recklessness will be tough, but the opportunity to coach under a well-respected CEO head coach in John Harbaugh makes this job attractive. — Solak
Who could get it: This job is considered Todd Monken’s to lose. Monken guided the Ravens to a top-ranked offense under Harbaugh as the unit’s coordinator for the past three seasons. But Monken is still sorting through options and in the mix for the Cleveland head coaching job. Miami has interest in him at offensive coordinator as well. Willie Taggart, who was just the assistant head coach/running backs coach in Baltimore, is also interviewing for the job. But Monken is the clear favorite at this point. — Fowler
Why it’s No. 4: This job has been the equivalent of the Defense Against the Dark Arts job at Hogwarts, with a new coach occupying the role in each of the past four seasons. In other words, anyone taking the gig should do so without dropping deep roots. Expectations are high for any coordinator in Philadelphia, as the Eagles have enjoyed multiple Super Bowl runs in the Jalen Hurts era. But if the split from wide receiver A.J. Brown continues to fester, scheming that offense gets much trickier. It’s not a bad job, but it is a charged one. There’s a reason other spots are getting filled first. — Solak
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Who could get it: Philly’s search has been all over the map, and the team is still submitting requests for interviews. I’m not totally convinced former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is off the table, though there’s not much buzz there at the moment. Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is a name to watch. The Bears did not block Philly’s request to interview Doyle, which means he’s free to make the lateral move. Some see him as head coach material, and this job can be a springboard if the new playcaller improves Hurts’ performance. — Fowler
Other opening: Dolphins
Top four defensive coordinator openings
Why it’s No. 1: Coaching edge rusher Micah Parsons sure sounds pretty cool. Other young, secured talent, such as linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, cornerback Xavier McKinney and safety Evan Williams, offer a great base from which a clever defensive coach could scheme up a successful unit. That’s something Jeff Hafley, the outgoing DC and current Dolphins head coach, did well in multiple seasons. The Packers need more depth at cornerback and defensive tackle, but they have been willing to spend to sign free agents recently. — Solak
Who could get it: Former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon is one of the strongest coordinator options left and is firmly in the mix in Green Bay, though others are looking at him. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has strong ties to former Falcons coach Raheem Morris, who will have coordinator options if he doesn’t get the Arizona head coaching job. Denver defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard is a name to watch, too. He played and coached at Wisconsin, and he was up for this job in 2021. — Fowler
Why it’s No. 2: The shoes in San Francisco are big ones to fill, as outgoing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did tremendous work coaching around the lack of talent during the 49ers’ unlikely postseason run this season. With Fred Warner and Nick Bosa returning to health, the 49ers’ defensive roster has talent … but also big holes along the defensive line and in the cornerbacks room. This job has had not just Saleh but also DeMeco Ryans fill it in past seasons, and that history of success brings with it high expectations. — Solak
Who could get it: Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed senior assistant Gus Bradley is a strong candidate for the job, calling him the “obvious” choice. Tennessee might also have interest in Bradley, and he can’t be blocked from leaving because he’s not currently a coordinator. But Bradley staying in San Francisco seems like a sensible move at this point. Raheem Morris is also an attractive option there. — Fowler
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Why it’s No. 3: This job is a tricky one. The personnel is very suited to the Minter/Baltimore style of defense, so the job isn’t a fit for anyone without major personnel overhaul. But with coach Jim Harbaugh running the team and an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert, it’s a spot where strong coaching can lead to winning and future promotion — as shown by Minter himself. — Solak
Who could get it: Harbaugh has a bit of a starmaker reputation, as Minter and Mike Macdonald served as his defensive coordinators at Michigan. Miami DC Anthony Weaver and Tennessee DC Dennard Wilson are among fits from the Baltimore tree. Minnesota’s Daronte Jones and Denver’s Jim Leonhard are among the top candidates given their experience as defensive pass-game coordinators. — Fowler
Why it’s No. 4: Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux are on the defensive line, that’s why. The Giants are well-suited for a big leap in defensive performance, as they underperformed to their talent level last season and should grow into a dominant pressure team as their defensive line continues to gel. Any defensive coordinator who sells out for a four-man rush (looking at you, Jim Schwartz) should love the potential of this group. — Solak
Who could get it: Coach John Harbaugh’s deep-rooted Baltimore ties will be helpful here. Weaver, who coached in Baltimore from 2021 to 2023, is a viable option if he doesn’t secure a head coaching job. My sense is that Harbaugh won’t run it back with his 2025 coordinator, Zach Orr, after the Ravens’ defensive struggles. Daronte Jones is a hot candidate who has interviewed with the Giants and several others. The Giants could do a lot worse than him. — Fowler
Other openings: Commanders, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, Titans
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Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens spent three seasons of his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Although 16 seasons have passed since Owens played in the league, his time with the franchise famously dubbed “America’s Team” remains memorable. Owens first played for the Cowboys in 2006, before abruptly exiting after the 2008 campaign.
This week, Owens briefly revisited his time wearing “The Star” on his helmet, but he made it clear the team has not been at the front of his mind for quite some time. “I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys,” Owens told the Action Network.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 27, 2008. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Owens then suggested the less-than-harmonious feelings are mutual, saying: “The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization… The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”
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Owens signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys in 2006 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2008. Around the time of his March 2009 release, reports suggested he had become a source of tension inside the Cowboys’ locker room.
He was cut roughly two months after Dallas finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Dallas struggled offensively at times that season, though Owens still totaled 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those were considered productive numbers by any standard, but they also marked his lowest totals in three seasons with the Cowboys.
Owens’ connection with then-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett also came under scrutiny during his stint with the team.
Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett talks to Terrell Owens during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2008. (Getty Images)
Owens joined the Buffalo Bills after he parted ways with the Cowboys. Despite snapping his streak of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his lone year in Western New York, Owens praised Buffalo, describing it as a rare NFL market that still embraces him years after he left.
“The Buffalo Bills have been very gracious in inviting me out and involving me in some of their community initiatives,” Owens said. “I went there for a couple of games and for Thurman Thomas’ jersey retirement.”
Former wide receiver Terrell Owens gestures to the crowd before the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
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Owens appeared in 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, marking his final NFL season. He was a five-time All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler during his standout career.
He skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, in 2018, choosing instead to hold his own ceremony at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia changes his approach on mental health amid cancer battle
Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia is currently battling for his life after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.
The diagnosis came after noticing certain abnormalities, but the hard-nosed former athlete thought he could figure out the issues on his own without a visit to the doctors. His wife wasn’t comfortable with that plan from the quarterback, who used to take snaps for a Steve Spurrier-led offense led offense in Columbia.
Reluctantly, Garcia went in for a colonoscopy where doctors discovered the cancer, and that it had been growing for a number of years.
Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t fully grasping the news when first given, due to him still being somewhat groggy from sedation.
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Stephen Garcia of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks to pass against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 10, 2011. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
But, when it was finally explained to him how serious this situation was, reality set in pretty quickly.
Obviously, there’s nothing simple about hearing the word ‘cancer,’ no matter which stage or form you are dealing with. It will humble you quickly, with the grim outlook overtaking the mind.
And while this process to fight the disease will be tough, filled with many obstacles, Garcia was most worried about his family.
While his older son understands the magnitude, he has yet to fully inform his youngest daughter, which led to the former Gamecock shedding a few tears while discussing the situation with OutKick on Friday morning.
Former Gamecock has changed his tune amid battle with cancer
In the past, Stephen Garcia was not one to jump aboard the mental health awareness train, looking at it as someone who was not strong enough to handle the circumstances surrounding whatever battle they were facing.
But, that’s the football side of Garcia, and he was the first to admit that his mindset had changed because of the stigma surrounding people, most importantly men, not feeling comfortable enough to discuss their struggles.
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This problem has led to many downfalls, or problems that arise by not talking to others about what they are going through in the moments of trials and tribulations.
For Stephen, that has all changed.
“In years past, I thought mental health was an absolute joke, just to be completely frank with you,” Garcia told OutKick. “I was like, if you gotta have some mental toughness, I played for Coach Spurrier so I had to have some mental toughness to deal with him. But, I was also extremely hard headed. It is huge. There’s gonna be days when you’re not gonna walk to talk with anybody, days you wanna give up, you gotta stay mentally tough. This whole process has opened my eyes to a whole different deal.
“People can change. I was against the whole mental health thing, I thought it was stupid. But, it’s changed my opinion, my outlook on life in general, and I encourage everyone to speak it up. I’ve had so many people reach out to say if you need to talk, reach out to me. Everyone said the same thing that you have to be mentally in it. If you are positive mentally, you’re going to get through it. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, figure out a way to get positive. It’s no joke, you are where your minds at.”
South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against Kentucky in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., on Oct. 3, 2009. South Carolina defeated Kentucky 28-26. (Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)
Outreach has been overwhelming, with a long battle ahead
After going through his first round of chemotherapy this week, Garcia is coming to terms with the battle he faces, though he’s keeping a positive outlook for the sake of himself and his family. He will continue training athletes, when his body allows, and using his platform to encourage others to take their health seriously.
If it weren’t for his wife pushing him into getting examined, who knows how long this could’ve gone before his cancer was noticed. In the meantime, the support system has been overwhelming, as Garcia described while choking back tears.
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Stephen Garcia of the South Carolina Gamecocks drops back to pass against the East Carolina Pirates at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 3, 2011. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Whether it’s the Clemson football team, or Dabo Swinney himself, and the thousands of people who have reached out over the past few days, it’s not lost on the former quarterback how much the support has meant for his own sanity during uncertain times.
For now, Stephen Garcia is taking his battle with cancer one day at a time. But, he’s also got college football fans rooting for him to beat this terrible disease.
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Kansas star Darryn Peterson is set to likely be a top-five pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, but there was a time a few months ago he did not think that day would come.
Peterson missed 11 games this season and had his time cut short in several others due to a series of cramping issues, but the worst one came before the season even started.
Peterson told ESPN recently that in September, he was taken to a hospital from a practice with severe cramping throughout his entire body.
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Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers in the second half of a second-round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California, on March 22, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“I made it to the training room and just started begging them to call 911. They were trying to get a vein to get me the IV, get me back hydrated. But I was cramping so hard they couldn’t get a vein,” Peterson said.
“I thought I was going to die on the training table that day.”
After months of searching for answers, Peterson said that high doses of creatine resulted in the cramping.
Creatine, used to increase muscle size, is perhaps the most studied supplement on the market and has numerous benefits. But for Peterson, it prompted a scary situation.
“I’d never taken it before [going to college]. But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed, it must’ve made the levels unsafe,” he said.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson drives with the ball against Iowa State Cyclones forward Dominykas Pleta during the second half of the Big 12 basketball game on Feb. 14, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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“It kind of put me in a tizzy because I didn’t know what was causing it. Nothing has ever been wrong with me before. Basketball is my life. What I love to do. But something was going on and I couldn’t figure it out.”
Peterson no longer takes creatine and has not had any issues since. He even played at least 30 minutes in eight of Kansas’ last nine games this past season.
Peterson’s lack of play, of course, drew criticism, but he did all he could to play.
“They saw I was in rehab every day before practice, after practice. Get massages. Trying all types of stuff. Carb loading because they thought I didn’t have glucose or something. Electrolytes. Liquid IV, LMNT. I changed my diet. I meal-prepped. Everything I could think of,” he said.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson jogs back after making a three-pointer against Houston Cougars inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Head coach Bill Self even decided that playing off-ball would keep him from overexerting himself, which could potentially lead to more cramping.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game and is widely expected to be one of the first names off the board next month.
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