Positives, negatives, ranking of every NFL head-coaching opening

The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, creating the NFL’s eighth head-coaching vacancy.

Where does Buffalo’s opening rank? Here’s a look at the current vacancies, ranked in inverse order of attractiveness and with positives and negatives of each.

8. Cleveland Browns

Why it's a good gig: The Browns have an intriguing collection of young talent, particularly DT Mason Graham, RB Quinshon Judkins, TE Harold Fannin Jr. and LB Carson Schwesinger — all 2025 draft picks. Yet given that the Browns are 27th in projected cap space (per Over the Cap) because of the contract for QB Deshaun Watson, it may take years to overhaul the dismal offensive line and wide receiver groups, at which time likely Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett will be well into his 30s.

Why it's not: The Browns may have a hard time finding an upgrade for former two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, who's now the Atlanta Falcons' HC. There is arguably no worse QB situation in the game than Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, especially considering the Browns must go up against QBs Lamar Jackson (Ravens) and Joe Burrow (Bengals) twice a season. Barring a trade up from the sixth overall pick, the Browns likely won’t be in a position to take Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, considered the best QB in the draft. 

Ideal candidate: Ex-Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel 

7. Arizona Cardinals 

Why it's a good gig: The Cardinals desperately need a culture reset. Before their late-season spiral, Arizona was competitive in nearly every contest, as seven of their first nine losses came by just one score. The Cardinals have talent, namely All-Pro tight end Trey McBride and Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker. But it has no idea how to finish games. 

Why it's not: Losers of 14 out of their past 15 games, the Cardinals present quite the mess for the next head coach who walks through the door. Kyler Murray's time as the franchise QB appears to be over, and the Cardinals aren’t in position to select Mendoza. Former fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr., a wideout, regressed from an already- underwhelming rookie season. 

Best candidate: San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh 

6. Miami Dolphins 

Why it's a good gig: It's in the NFL. But seriously, the Dolphins have talent on both sides, notably RB De'Von Achane, who's explosive. The prospect of having to go up against QBs Drake Maye (Patriots) and Josh Allen (Bills) twice a year with a bridge QB will likely scare off veteran head coaches intent on competing right away. 

Why it's not: The QB situation stinks. The Dolphins are likely to release Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, which will carry massive dead-cap penalties over the next two seasons. The QB pool in the draft and free-agent cycle provides few great alternatives, forcing the Dolphins to either roll with seventh-rounder Quinn Evers or bring in a reclamation project like Kyler Murray. 

Best candidate: Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley

5. Las Vegas Raiders

Why it's a good gig: What keeps the Raiders from the bottom spot is the fact they can select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A great young QB can help turn things around in a hurry, and the appeal of working with the reigning Heisman winner will help the Raiders appeal to offensive coaches in a way that the Cardinals, Dolphins and Browns can not. 

Why it's not: Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Sean Payton and Bo Nix. Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. Those are the head coach-QB combinations the next Raiders coach will be competing with for AFC West titles for the foreseeable future. The Raiders have solid talents in tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, but they are still at least a dozen players away from the other three teams in the division, especially if they choose to move on from five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. 

Best candidate: Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady

4. Tennessee Titans 

Why it's a good gig: 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 Bears 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams, who made a substantial Year 2 leap when paired with the right head coach. 

Why it's not: 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 QB. This gives Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy the edge over Robert Saleh and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the other two reported finalists.

Best candidate: Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy

3. Pittsburgh Steelers  

Why it's a good gig: Passionate fan base. Iconic franchise. Three head coaches since 1969. That's lots of stability. Any potential head coach would love these qualities.

Why's it's not: Many of the Steelers best players are on the wrong side of 30, including former Defensive Player of the Year T.J Watt (32 on Oct. 11) and four-time All-Pro DT Cameron Heyward (37 on May 6). Though the team has cap room to play with, the Steelers have rarely been aggressive or effective in free agency, and the QB situation is in flux with Aaron Rodgers. 

Best candidate: Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula