NFL Coaching Carousel Heats Up As Falcons Packers And Dolphins Make Bold Moves

The NFL coaching carousel is spinning at full speed as three franchises—the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and Miami Dolphins—find themselves at pivotal crossroads. With head coaching searches intensifying and executive decisions looming, fans and insiders alike are glued to every update. Let’s break down the latest developments, the background context, and what’s next for these storied organizations.

Atlanta Falcons fans have endured a tense week as the franchise wrapped up its first round of head coaching interviews and prepared for the crucial second round. The big news? Kevin Stefanski, the former Cleveland Browns head coach and two-time Coach of the Year, is emerging as the frontrunner. According to Adam Schefter, the Falcons orchestrated a strategic move by scheduling Stefanski’s in-person interview ahead of his planned meeting with the Tennessee Titans. “Atlanta was calculating in arranging this interview, moving it up ahead of Kevin Stefanski’s scheduled interview Sunday with the Titans,” Schefter reported on January 17, 2026.

This development could be decisive. The Falcons, led by owner Arthur Blank and former quarterback Matt Ryan, have cast a wide net in their coaching search. Stefanski’s credentials are hard to ignore: he led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023, orchestrated their first playoff win in over 25 years in 2020, and is widely respected for his player development skills. Despite a rocky 8-26 record in his final two seasons with Cleveland, much of that downturn was attributed to the fallout from the Deshaun Watson trade and internal friction with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. Notably, Stefanski didn’t call plays in his last two seasons, but he’s expected to resume that role if he lands in Atlanta—a tantalizing prospect for a franchise eager to unlock the potential of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and revamp its offense.

Dianna Russini added that Stefanski has been “working to assemble a potential coaching staff to present to the Falcons,” underscoring the seriousness of his candidacy. While details remain scarce, it’s believed that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would be retained under Stefanski’s leadership. Still, there’s a twist: Klint Kubiak’s situation in Seattle is reportedly on Matt Ryan’s radar, meaning Atlanta may yet weigh its options. The urgency is palpable. If the Falcons are truly sold on Stefanski, a deal could materialize as soon as late tonight or early tomorrow. But as of now, the process is ongoing, and nothing is set in stone.

Meanwhile, in Green Bay, the Packers have finally put an end to a week of swirling rumors and speculation. After their heartbreaking playoff exit in Chicago, the future of head coach Matt LaFleur was the subject of heated debate. Would the Packers make a dramatic move and part ways with their coach? Would general manager Brian Gutekunst join him on the chopping block? According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, those questions have been answered: the Packers are “working to bring back LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst on new contracts.” While the agreements aren’t finalized, both sides are expected to reach a “positive resolution.”

It’s a major relief for Packers fans, who watched anxiously as reports earlier in the week suggested that all options—including trading LaFleur—were on the table. Team president Ed Policy had previously stated his opposition to “lame-duck” years for coaches and GMs, especially with both contracts set to expire after the 2026 season. The retention of LaFleur and Gutekunst signals a commitment to stability, but it’s clear that changes are afoot. LaFleur now faces the challenge of adjusting his coaching staff—questions linger about the futures of special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is rumored to be a head coaching candidate elsewhere.

There’s also talk of structural change in the Packers’ front office. Since 2018, both the head coach and GM have reported directly to the team president, a departure from the traditional hierarchy where the coach reports to the GM. Policy is reportedly interested in returning to the old structure, but those details remain to be hammered out. For now, the focus is on rebounding from playoff disappointment and taking the next step in 2026. As Schefter put it, “the real work begins now.”

Down in Miami, the Dolphins’ head coaching search is reaching its climax. After conducting a series of virtual interviews with coaches still in the playoffs or under contract, the Dolphins are poised to move quickly once NFL rules allow in-person meetings after January 19. The name on everyone’s lips? Jeff Hafley, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator. Adam Schefter reported that Hafley will have his second interview with Miami early next week, making him the odds-on favorite to land the job.

Hafley’s candidacy is bolstered by his relationship with new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. While Hafley has never been an NFL head coach, he did serve as the head coach at Boston College, compiling a 22-26 record. That’s not exactly jaw-dropping, but his reputation as a defensive strategist and his connection with Sullivan have made him a leading contender. The Dolphins have a history of hiring first-time NFL head coaches—seven straight, in fact, including Nick Saban. The results have been mixed: only three of those coaches made it into their fourth season, with Mike McDaniel being the only one to complete a full four-year stint. Hafley’s potential hiring would also mean the end of Anthony Weaver’s time with the Dolphins, as Weaver has been interviewing for other head coaching vacancies but is not expected to land one this cycle.

Fan reaction to Hafley is divided. Some appreciate his work with the Packers, but others remain skeptical, especially in the wake of Green Bay’s recent playoff collapse against the Bears. The big question: Can Hafley assemble a top-notch coaching staff and buck the Dolphins’ recent trend of short-lived head coaches? That’s something even Mike McDaniel, who had never been a head coach before Miami, managed to overcome—at least for a while.

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the next moves. The Falcons could finalize a deal with Stefanski any moment. The Packers are on the verge of locking in LaFleur and Gutekunst for the long haul, but with staff changes and possible restructuring on the horizon. The Dolphins, meanwhile, appear set to gamble yet again on a rising assistant, hoping Hafley will be the one to finally break the cycle.

One thing’s for sure: the NFL offseason drama is just heating up, and with so much at stake for these franchises, every decision could shape the league’s landscape for years to come. Stay tuned—these stories are far from over.