Ranking the NFL head-coaching vacancies, ideal non-John Harbaugh candidates

5. Las Vegas Raiders

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Sean Payton and Bo Nix. Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. Those are the head coach-quarterback combinations the next Raiders coach will be competing with for AFC West titles for the foreseeable future. Despite the appeal of tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders are still at least a dozen players away from the other three teams in the division, especially if they move on from five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. 

What keeps the Raiders from the bottom spot is their ability to select Mendoza with the first overall pick. A great young quarterback can turn things around in a hurry.

Ideal non-Harbaugh candidate: Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady

4. Tennessee Titans

The appeal of this job depends solely on how one feels about Cam Ward. The 2025 first overall pick rebounded from a disastrous start with former head coach Brian Callahan to post respectable numbers down the stretch. His accuracy issues and playmaking ability are reminiscent of 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams, who made a substantial Year 2 leap when paired with the right head coach. 

If one believes that Ward is a true franchise quarterback, there is a lot for the next head coach to work with. The fourth overall pick in the 2026 draft will allow the Titans to select a No. 1 target for Ward in a solid receiver draft, while the league’s most projected cap space opens the door for a complete defensive overhaul. 

Though impatient ownership and a front-office restructure will turn the pressure up from the outset, the Titans are the only team this cycle that will allow a head coach to completely mold a team around a young quarterback, making it an ideal landing spot for an experienced offensive mind. 

Ideal non-Harbaugh candidate: Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy

3. Atlanta Falcons

The decision to both pay $180 million for Kirk Cousins and select Michael Penix in the first round will loom over the franchise for years, but there is a lot to like about the rest of the roster. That starts with all-world running back Bijan Robinson, who has improved in each of his three NFL seasons and led the league with 2,298 yards from scrimmage in 2025. The Falcons also have a true No. 1 receiver in Drake London and a solid secondary led by cornerback A.J. Terrell and safety Jessie Bates. With first-round pass-rushers James Pearce and Jalon Walker emerging down the stretch, the Falcons looked like the NFC South’s best team in the second half of the season and are in a strong position to win the division in 2026. 

With the quarterback situation in flux, the Falcons would be smart to bring in someone who can run an effective run-first offense, making Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak a strong candidate. Kubiak spent the last two seasons leading run-centric offenses in Seattle and New Orleans and helped the Seahawks climb from 18th in points per game in 2024 to third in 2025. 

Ideal non-Harbaugh candidate: Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak 

2. New York Giants 

As dysfunctional as the Giants have been this season, they have one of the more intriguing head-coaching openings. In his second season, Jaxson Dart will have plenty of support around him with the returns of running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers from injuries. The back end of the defense needs major work, but 2025 third overall pick Abdul Carter excelled down the stretch and formed a fearsome defensive front alongside Pro Bowlers Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.

The Giants also have a prime opportunity to add an impact player to the mix with the fifth overall selection in the draft and have $18 million in cap space to work with. One of the NFL’s premier franchises, the Giants should have no issue finding interested coaches this cycle, but they would be wise to roll with an offensive mind (or Harbaugh) who could help maximize Dart. 

Ideal non-Harbaugh candidate: Former Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski 

1. Baltimore Ravens

There's a lot to like for any potential head coach with this opening — starting with QB Lamar Jackson and owner Steve Bisciotti. Plus, the AFC North seems winnable with a roster that features a solid defense and a running game led by Derrick Henry, who's under contract for two more seasons. Whoever gets this gig must uphold a high standard. In 18 seasons with the Ravens under Harbaugh (193-124, including playoffs), Baltimore had only three losing seasons. Stefanski, who knows the division well, seems to be a solid candidate. 

Ideal candidate: Former Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski