By Gemini Sports Staff Wednesday, January 28, 2026
With only two teams remaining on the field—the Patriots and Seahawks, set to clash in Super Bowl LX on February 8—the rest of the NFL is locked in a high-stakes game of musical chairs.
The most significant movement arrived Wednesday as the Cleveland Browns reportedly tapped Todd Monken as their next head coach. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills have officially opted for continuity, promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top spot.
Todd Monken: The Offensive Fixer Returns to Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns have found their successor to Kevin Stefanski, reportedly hiring Todd Monken, the architect of the Baltimore Ravens’ high-powered offense over the last three seasons. Monken emerged as the victor in a competitive cycle that included Rams assistant Nate Scheelhaase and current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Why Monken?
Cleveland’s 5-12 campaign in 2025 was defined by a stagnant offense and a lack of identity. In Monken, the Browns get a veteran play-caller who has found success at every recent stop:
- Baltimore Ravens (2023-25): Transformed Lamar Jackson into a more efficient pocket passer while maintaining a top-tier rushing attack.
- Georgia Bulldogs (2020-22): Orchestrated the offenses that secured back-to-back National Championships.
- Cleveland Browns (2019): Briefly served as OC under Freddie Kitchens, though he was not given play-calling duties—a restriction that will certainly not exist this time around.
The Jim Schwartz Factor
One of the most intriguing elements of the Monken hire is the status of Jim Schwartz. Despite being a finalist for the head coaching job, team owner Jimmy Haslam has reportedly pushed to keep Schwartz as the defensive coordinator. If the two can coexist, Cleveland pairs one of the league’s most aggressive defensive minds with a creative offensive strategist.
Bills Bet on Joe Brady to Lead the Josh Allen Era
In a move that prioritizes the development of Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills have promoted Joe Brady to head coach. The decision follows the firing of Sean McDermott last week, a move that signaled the end of a nine-season era.
At just 36 years old, Brady represents a youth movement in Buffalo. Since taking the reins as OC in late 2023, Brady has been credited with “unlocking” a more balanced version of the Bills’ offense:
- 2025 Rankings: Under Brady, Buffalo ranked 1st in rushing yards per game and 1st in time of possession.
- Continuity: By promoting Brady, the Bills avoid forcing Josh Allen to learn a new system for the fourth time in his career.
“Maybe Brady is the man to get them over the hump,” league insiders suggest. “The Bills have the talent; they just need the tactical edge in January.”
AFC Coaching Carousel: New Faces in New Places
The rest of the conference is seeing a massive shift in leadership and philosophy:
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Hired Mike McCarthy to replace the legendary Mike Tomlin. McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, returns home to lead the franchise into its next chapter.
- Baltimore Ravens: Replaced John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter, the former Chargers defensive coordinator. Minter, who previously coached under Harbaugh in Baltimore, is viewed as a “homecoming” hire to fix a unit that slipped in 2025.
- Tennessee Titans: Under new head coach Robert Saleh, the Titans have reportedly hired former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. He will be tasked with developing 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
- L.A. Chargers: In a surprise move, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has joined the staff as offensive coordinator.
Coaching Tracker: The New Hierarchy
| Team | New Head Coach | Previous Role |
| Cleveland Browns | Todd Monken | Ravens OC |
| Buffalo Bills | Joe Brady | Bills OC |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Mike McCarthy | Cowboys HC (2024) |
| Baltimore Ravens | Jesse Minter | Chargers DC |
| N.Y. Giants | John Harbaugh | Ravens HC |
2026 NFL Coaching News: Frequently Asked Questions
With the hiring of Todd Monken in Cleveland and the promotion of Joe Brady in Buffalo, the 2026 coaching cycle is nearly complete. Here are the answers to the most common questions regarding these major moves.
The Cleveland Browns & Todd Monken
Why did the Browns hire Todd Monken? The Browns were looking for an offensive strategist who could revitalize a unit that struggled significantly in 2025. Monken’s recent success as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator and his two national championships at Georgia made him the top choice to fix Cleveland’s scoring woes.
Has Todd Monken coached the Browns before? Yes. Monken was the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens. However, he did not call plays during that stint. This time, as head coach, he is expected to have full control over the offensive identity and play-calling.
What happens to Jim Schwartz? Current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was a finalist for the head coaching job. While he didn’t get the top spot, reports indicate owner Jimmy Haslam and the front office are making a strong push to retain him. The goal is to keep the elite defense intact while Monken fixes the offense.
The Buffalo Bills & Joe Brady
Why did the Bills fire Sean McDermott if they were winning? Despite seven straight playoff appearances, owner Terry Pegula reportedly felt the team had plateaued. Following a Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos, the organization decided a “CEO-style” leadership change was necessary to finally reach the Super Bowl.
Why was Joe Brady promoted instead of hiring an outside veteran? Continuity for Josh Allen was the priority. Allen reportedly had a say in the process and shares a deep bond with Brady. Since Brady took over the offense in 2023, the Bills have been one of the most balanced and high-scoring units in the NFL.
How old is Joe Brady? At 36 years old, Joe Brady is currently the youngest head coach in the NFL.
The Broader NFL Landscape
Who are the other new head coaches for 2026? * Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy (replacing Mike Tomlin)
- Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter (replacing John Harbaugh)
- Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski (replacing Raheem Morris)
- New York Giants: John Harbaugh (replacing Brian Daboll)
- Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh (replacing Brian Callahan)
Which teams still have head coaching vacancies? As of late January 2026, only the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders have yet to officially name their next head coaches.
With the major dominoes falling, the focus now shifts to how these new leaders fill out their assistant pools and prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.