The NFL’s annual reckoning has arrived, as Black Monday once again triggered widespread change across the league following the conclusion of the 2025 regular season.
Head coach vacancies
Arizona Cardinals (fired Jonathan Gannon)
Atlanta Falcons (fired Raheem Morris)
Cleveland Browns (fired Kevin Stefanski)
Las Vegas Raiders (fired Pete Carroll)
New York Giants (fired Brian Daboll)
Tennessee Titans (fired Brian Callahan)
General manager vacancies
Atlanta Falcons (fired Terry Fontenot)
Miami Dolphins (fired Chris Grier)
By day’s end, six head coaching jobs were officially open, adding to two vacancies that surfaced earlier in the year. The turnover served as a familiar reminder of the league’s unforgiving nature, where short leashes and unmet expectations often lead to sweeping changes once the season clock hits zero.
The latest domino fell Sunday night, when the Atlanta Falcons dismissed head coach Raheem Morris after two seasons. The move signaled more than a coaching change. Atlanta followed by parting ways with general manager Terry Fontenot, confirming a full-scale reset after another underwhelming finish in the NFC South.
Monday brought additional firings across the league. The Cleveland Browns moved on from Kevin Stefanski after six seasons. While Stefanski delivered early success and postseason appearances, his tenure ultimately unraveled amid quarterback instability and a roster that failed to sustain momentum.
In Nevada, the Las Vegas Raiders ended Pete Carroll’s stint after just one year. Carroll was brought in to steady a franchise searching for direction, but the experiment ended as quickly as his Raider Head Coach predecessors, as on-field results failed to follow. The Arizona Cardinals also joined the list, dismissing Jonathan Gannon after three seasons marked by stalled development and growing uncertainty surrounding the team’s long-term quarterback plans.
Two coaching changes had already taken place earlier in the season. The New York Giants dismissed Brian Daboll midyear, while the Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan as part of an early pivot following persistent struggles.
Front office movement has further reshaped the offseason landscape. Alongside Atlanta’s overhaul, the Miami Dolphins created a general manager opening earlier in the year by firing Chris Grier, adding another high-profile vacancy to an already crowded market.
With nearly a third of the league now reassessing leadership, the weeks ahead are expected to feature an aggressive hiring cycle. As playoff football unfolds, attention will also remain fixed on which organizations act decisively — and which get it right — in shaping their next chapter.
*This story is developing and will be updated throughout the week*
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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