The NFL’s annual coaching carousel is spinning with remarkable velocity this January, and the names at the center of the storm are some of the game’s most intriguing offensive minds. As franchises from coast to coast hunt for the perfect leader to guide their teams into the 2026 season, a trio of coaches—Mike McDaniel, Klint Kubiak, and a handful of familiar faces—are making headlines and fueling speculation across the league.
The Washington Commanders, fresh off the departure of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on January 7, 2026, have wasted no time in assembling a high-profile list of candidates to fill the vacancy. Among the most prominent names are Mike McDaniel, recently dismissed as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, and David Blough, whose connections to Washington’s staff run deep. The Commanders’ head coach, Dan Quinn, now faces a pivotal decision: pursue a proven play-caller with NFL head coaching experience or opt for a rising star with ties to quarterback Jayden Daniels and the current offensive system.
McDaniel’s candidacy is particularly fascinating given his storied NFL journey. After being let go by the Dolphins earlier this month—despite compiling a respectable 35-33 regular season record and guiding Miami to two playoff appearances in four years—he has become one of the most sought-after figures on the market. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, McDaniel will interview with the Tennessee Titans on January 14, 2026, for their head coaching vacancy. This comes amid “significant interest” from multiple franchises, with Tennessee facing stiff competition should McDaniel emerge as their top choice.
McDaniel’s coaching resume reads like a who’s who of modern offensive football. He broke into the NFL as a coaching intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005, then served as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2008. His journey continued through the United Football League’s California Redwoods (later the Sacramento Mountain Lions), before he joined the Washington Commanders’ staff as an offensive assistant from 2011 to 2012 and as wide receivers coach in 2013. McDaniel later worked with the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers—where he was run game coordinator and then offensive coordinator—before landing the Dolphins’ head job in 2022. It’s a path that has placed him alongside coaching luminaries like Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt LaFleur.
As McDaniel weighs his next move, the Commanders’ search is also shining a spotlight on David Blough. While not as widely recognized as McDaniel, Blough’s connections within the Washington organization and his familiarity with the current offensive scheme make him a compelling option. The franchise’s decision will likely hinge on whether they prioritize continuity for young quarterback Jayden Daniels or seek a bold new direction under a battle-tested leader.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are casting a wide net in their own head coaching search. In addition to McDaniel, their interview list reads like a who’s who of NFL coaching circles: Matt Nagy (Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator), Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos defensive coordinator), Steve Spagnuolo (Chiefs defensive coordinator), Lou Anarumo (Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator), Raheem Morris (former Atlanta Falcons head coach), Kevin Stefanski (former Cleveland Browns head coach), Jason Garrett (former Dallas Cowboys head coach), Jeff Hafley (Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator), Arthur Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator and former Titans OC), Robert Saleh (San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator), Kliff Kingsbury (former Commanders offensive coordinator), Mike McCarthy (former Cowboys and Packers head coach), Jesse Minter (Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator), and Chris Shula (Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator). With so many experienced and innovative minds in contention, the Titans’ ultimate choice will be closely watched by the entire league.
But it’s not just McDaniel turning heads this offseason. Klint Kubiak, the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator since early 2025, has rapidly ascended the ranks of head coaching candidates after orchestrating a remarkable turnaround in the Pacific Northwest. Under Kubiak’s guidance, the Seahawks surged to a 14-3 regular season record, clinching the NFC’s top seed for the 2025 playoffs. This dramatic improvement has not gone unnoticed—by January 8, 2026, five of the eight NFL teams seeking new head coaches had reportedly expressed interest in interviewing Kubiak.
Kubiak’s coaching pedigree is undeniable. The 38-year-old son of Gary Kubiak, himself a legendary NFL coach, Klint has been on NFL sidelines since 2010. His previous stints as offensive coordinator with the 2021 Minnesota Vikings (8-9 record) and 2024 New Orleans Saints (5-12 record) may not have produced eye-popping win totals, but insiders have long admired his offensive creativity. NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche told Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, “He’s going to get serious consideration at some places, because even when he was in New Orleans and they weren’t winning games because of their personnel last year, people were like, he’s kind of doing some things with the Shanahan/McVay offense, Kevin O’Connell offense, that are different from all of them.”
Kubiak’s style, deeply influenced by the offensive philosophies of Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Kevin O’Connell, blends innovation with tradition. His approach harks back to the Denver Broncos’ glory days, when his father and Mike Shanahan crafted one of the league’s most effective and adaptable attacks. “He’s well thought of, of course you’ve got the pedigree, but he’s not new, either,” Wyche added. “He’s been doing this for a while—not necessarily calling plays the full time, but understanding that he’s paid his dues. So I think that there’s probably a pretty good chance, unless he blows some interviews, that he’s going to be a head coach somewhere next year.”
The Seahawks’ offensive renaissance under Kubiak has been one of the season’s most compelling storylines. After previous years of inconsistency and missed playoff opportunities, Seattle’s leap to the NFC’s top seed has energized fans and put the franchise back in the national spotlight. Whether Kubiak remains in Seattle or takes the reins elsewhere, his rise underscores the value of innovative, adaptable coaching in today’s NFL.
As the league’s hiring season unfolds, all eyes remain on the fates of McDaniel, Kubiak, and the deep pool of candidates vying for top jobs. The coming days promise more interviews, more rumors, and—inevitably—surprising decisions that could reshape the NFL’s competitive landscape for years to come. For now, teams like the Commanders and Titans are weighing their options, hoping to land the leader who will deliver the next chapter of gridiron glory.
With interviews set and rumors swirling, the NFL’s coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever. The choices made this January will echo through training camps, regular season battles, and, perhaps, into the Super Bowl spotlight itself.
