NFL hiring grades: Ravens, Steelers find themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum

An active NFL hiring cycle is nearing its end, with eight of the 10 head-coaching openings filled.

Below, we grade the hires so far, starting with the best and ending with those that barely passed.

Baltimore Ravens

Jesse Minter | After seeing the success their former defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, has had with the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks, the Ravens snagged their former defensive backs coach (on the same staff Macdonald served as linebackers coach) from the Los Angeles Chargers.

The best teams in Ravens franchise history have all featured excellent defenses, and Minter, 42, has the foundation in place to put together an elite unit out of the gate. In his two seasons as the Chargers defensive coordinator, Los Angeles ranked third in points allowed (18.9 points per game), per Stathead. | A-

New York Giants

John Harbaugh | The Super Bowl XLVII champion coach could spark an immediate turnaround in New York. In 18 seasons as a head coach, Harbaugh, 63, is 193-124 (including playoffs) and has only had three losing seasons.

If quarterback Jaxon Dart takes a Year 2 leap — Harbaugh's offensive coordinator hire might be the most consequential of the offseason — the Giants have the potential to make a Commanders-esque leap from NFC East-worst to the playoffs in Harbaugh's first season. Running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers are expected to be at full strength, while the defensive line should remain one of the league's best, giving Harbaugh a running start on that side of the ball. | B+

Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Stefanski | The Falcons landed their most experienced NFL head coach since Dan Reeves during a wild 1997 hiring cycle by getting Stefanski off the rebound after being fired by the Cleveland Browns.

Stefanski, 43, spent six seasons in charge at his previous post, going 45-56 (.446), the best winning percentage by a Browns head coach (excluding interim) since Bill Belichick (.450). Even as a two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year, Stefanski's best seasons might still lie ahead of him, particularly with the foundation in place in Atlanta.

His first four offenses as either an offensive coordinator or head coach — which also happen to be his best — featured successful run-oriented attacks. That's an excellent omen for 2025 first-team All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, one of the league's most exciting offensive players. | B+

Tennessee Titans

Robert Saleh | An excellent defensive coach, Saleh is in a better position to succeed with the Titans than at his previous stint as New York Jets head coach.

He won seven games in back-to-back seasons with Zach Wilson as his primary starting quarterback, and rising Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward is an enormous upgrade.

Saleh, who turns 47 on Jan. 31, has intriguing players to work with on defense, headlined by 2025 first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Linebacker Cedric Gray had a promising second year, leading the team with 164 tackles in 16 games, while 2024 second-rounder T'Vondre Sweat also has untapped potential. 

During Saleh's last three seasons as head coach of the New York Jets, his teams ranked in the top four in total defense each season. He could spark a quick turnaround for a unit that ranks 21st in yards allowed in 2025. | B-

Buffalo Bills

Joe Brady | Replacing Sean McDermott, who went 106-58 (including playoffs) with seven playoff appearances in eight seasons, with his offensive coordinator might be the most confusing hire so far of the 2026 cycle. 

The Bills needed to go in another direction entirely after hitting the playoff wall, not entrust the team's future in a first-time head coach in Brady, 36, who has been a part of the most recent postseason shortcomings. | C- 

Cleveland Browns

Todd Monken | The longtime coach gets his first crack as an NFL head coach after a successful three seasons as Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, but two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson can make anyone look good.

His other stops might prove more informative. To Monken's credit, he successfully rebuilt a Southern Miss program that went 0-12 in 2012, going 9-5 in his third season before becoming Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator.

But Monken, who turns 60 on Feb. 5, will likely be tasked with developing a young quarterback, something he's failed at twice before. Jameis Winston didn't take a Year 2 leap following Monken's addition, and neither did Baker Mayfield in 2019. | C-

Miami Dolphins

Jeff Hafley | Hafley's only prior head-coaching experience came at Boston College, where he went 22-26 in four seasons. His spotty track record extends to his time as an NFL position coach. In 2018, for example, he was the defensive backs coach for a San Francisco 49ers defense that allowed 35 passing touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Hafley, 46, improved his image the past two seasons as Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, but the Dolphins don't have the same quality of defenders on all three levels. If Miami parts with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, creating a massive dead-cap charge, Hafley will need to do more with less, something he has yet to prove capable of doing. | C-

Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike McCarthy | Instead of following their previous successful blueprint, the Steelers bucked conventional wisdom with the McCarthy hire. 

He had multiple playoff berths at his previous stops in Green Bay and Dallas, but McCarthy, 62, is inheriting a much more challenging situation in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have questions at quarterback, and McCarthy didn't inspire much confidence at his introductory news conference when he shared he was open to bringing Aaron Rodgers, 42, back at quarterback next season.

The Steelers needed to look forward with their 2026 hire. Instead, they only showed they're stuck in the past. | D+