The NFL coaching carousel is officially underway, and not all head coaching vacancies are created equal.
While some openings offer stability, quarterback continuity, and immediate playoff upside, others come with longer rebuild timelines and more uncertainty behind the scenes. For candidates across the league, landing the right job can be just as important as landing a job at all.
Below, we rank the seven open NFL head coaching jobs, weighing factors like quarterback outlook, roster talent, front office stability, cap flexibility, draft capital, and division competition.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- The Baltimore Ravens' head coaching job, vacated by the departed John Harbaugh, is easily the most desirable open coaching position in the NFL today.
- The New York Giants' vacancy is the second-most desirable head coaching job, heading a tightly bunched group of openings.
- The Cleveland Browns own the distinction of having the least desirable head coaching position available, ranking dead last by a wide margin.
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How the Covers Coaching Desirability Index (CCDI) works
Each open NFL head coaching job was scored across six core categories that reflect what candidates value most when choosing their next destination. This model blends betting-market logic with roster construction principles commonly used across NFL front offices.
📊 CCDI scoring breakdown (100-point scale)
- Quarterback outlook (40%): Elite quarterback play is rare in the NFL, which is why a team with proven QB play or a clear long-term plan scores highest.
- Roster talent (20%): A strong foundation shortens the rebuild time and raises expectations.
- Front office stability (15%): Alignment between ownership, the front office, and the head coach provides patience and clarity: two critical ingredients for long-term success.
- Salary cap/draft capital (20%): Cap flexibility and draft assets determine how quickly a new coaching staff can reshape the roster.
- Division & competitive landscape (5%): While parity exists across the league, the strength of divisional opponents still shapes the path to contention.
Ranking the open NFL head coaching vacancies
All rankings reflect current vacancies and will be updated as hires are made. The table below shows how each open job scores across the CCDI categories, with totals driving the final rankings.
1. 
Baltimore Ravens
CCDI score: 81
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the more attractive head coaching spots thanks to front-office stability, excellent young talent around an elite quarterback, and a track record of divisional success.
Quarterback outlook
Two-time MVP winner Lamar Jackson gives Baltimore one of the strongest quarterback situations among current openings.
Roster talent
The Ravens have impact pieces on both sides of the ball, including Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry on offense, and Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton on defense. The main question is Henry’s long-term durability and whether the defense can rebound after a down year.
Front office stability
Baltimore has had just three head coaches since 1996, a clear indicator of patience, stability, and a winning organizational culture.
Salary cap & draft capital
According to Spotrac, the Ravens enter the offseason with $36.8 million in cap space (17th overall) and the No. 14 pick in the upcoming draft, giving the next coach flexibility but not unlimited resources to address needs at linebacker and offensive line.
Division & competitive landscape
With Lamar Jackson under center, Baltimore holds an edge over Cleveland and Pittsburgh — and arguably Cincinnati — and after winning the division five times under Harbaugh, a return to the top of the AFC North remains realistic with modest upgrades.
Why this job ranks No. 1
Baltimore offers a strong foundation and organizational support, making it an appealing landing spot for coaches seeking stability and immediate competitiveness rather than a long-term rebuild.
2. 
New York Giants
CCDI score: 62
The New York Giants have been starved of success over the last 25 years, but it's still one of the most high-profile jobs in the NFL. Stability in the front office and a young roster could entice the right candidate.
Quarterback outlook
Jaxson Dart showed flashes in limited action, but the Giants enter the offseason without a proven franchise quarterback, making this one of the more volatile QB situations among current openings.
Roster talent
Outside of Cam Skattebo, the Giants lack high-end offensive playmakers, though the defense has a few foundational pieces that could benefit from better coaching continuity.
Front office stability
The Mara family is a well-respected ownership group across the NFL and is known for its hands-off approach to football operations.
Salary cap & draft capital
The Giants enter the offseason with roughly $15 million in cap space but own the No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft. While needs remain across the roster, premium draft capital gives the next coach a chance to add a foundational piece early.
Division & competitive landscape
The Eagles and Cowboys will always get the lion's share of the attention, but if the Giants get a few things right, they could challenge for the NFC East much sooner than anticipated.
Why this job ranks No. 2
Despite recent coaching turnover, the Giants offer front office stability, premium draft capital, and the appeal of one of the league’s flagship franchises, keeping them near the top of the current openings despite clear on-field questions.
3. 
Tennessee Titans
CCDI score: 60
The Tennessee Titans enter the coaching market looking for a reset after several uneven seasons, with real resources available but plenty of questions about long-term direction.
Quarterback outlook
Cam Ward showed flashes as a young quarterback, but remains unproven, leaving the Titans with upside at the position but no certainty entering the next phase of the rebuild.
Roster talent
As currently constructed, the roster lacks impact talent across several key areas, but there are still some building blocks to work with if paired with strong personnel decisions this offseason.
Front office stability
Ownership patience appears to be wearing thin, and the decision to move on from Mike Vrabel — followed by his immediate success in New England — raises questions about long-term alignment at the top.
Salary cap & draft capital
This is where Tennessee stands out. The Titans lead the league with roughly $113 million in cap space and hold the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft, giving a new coaching staff significant flexibility to reshape the roster quickly.
Division & competitive landscape
The AFC South is competitive but not elite, meaning the path to relevance is attainable with the right quarterback development and roster upgrades.
Why this job ranks No. 3
While the Titans lack proven answers at quarterback and across the roster, their combination of cap flexibility and premium draft capital makes this one of the more attractive reset opportunities among current openings.
4. 
Atlanta Falcons
CCDI score: 58
The Atlanta Falcons have missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons, but the combination of a talented roster and a weak division keeps this job in the conversation, even with clear organizational questions.
Quarterback outlook
Michael Penix returns from an ACL injury, while Kirk Cousins continues to age, leaving Atlanta with significant uncertainty at the most important position.
Roster talent
The roster features several high-upside cornerstones, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, James Pearce Jr., and Xavier Watts, giving the next coach a solid foundation despite recent results.
Front office stability
Both the head coach and general manager were dismissed following questionable roster decisions and draft capital usage, and the decision to involve a consulting firm in the hiring process raises concerns about organizational alignment.
Salary cap & draft capital
Atlanta enters the offseason with roughly $37.7 million in cap space but no first-round draft pick, limiting flexibility for a new coaching staff in Year 1.
Division & competitive landscape
The NFC South remains one of the league’s weakest divisions, meaning improved quarterback play and the right coaching hire could quickly put Atlanta back in the divisional race.
Why this job ranks No. 4
Despite legitimate roster talent, uncertainty at quarterback, and limited draft capital, Atlanta’s ceiling places this job squarely in the middle tier of desirability.
5. 
Arizona Cardinals
CCDI score: 57
The Arizona Cardinals open this search with more questions than answers, making this one of the more challenging openings despite a few high-end building blocks.
Quarterback outlook
Kyler Murray’s long-term future remains unclear, leaving the Cardinals with significant uncertainty at quarterback — a major drawback for any incoming coaching staff.
Roster talent
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride provide legitimate top-end talent, but much of the roster around them lacks stability and could be subject to significant turnover.
Front office stability
Owner Michael Bidwill has historically shown patience, but with just one playoff win over the past decade, expectations are rising, and the margin for error is shrinking.
Salary cap & draft capital
Arizona enters the offseason with roughly $44 million in cap space (14th overall) and holds the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft, giving the next coach flexibility but also difficult decisions regarding quarterback and roster priorities.
Division & competitive landscape
The NFC West remains one of the league’s toughest divisions, with Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all coming off 12-win seasons, making immediate success hard to come by.
Why this job ranks No. 5
Uncertainty at quarterback, a demanding division, and a thin roster beyond a few cornerstone players place Arizona near the bottom of the current coaching openings.
6. 
Las Vegas Raiders
CCDI score: 56
The Las Vegas Raiders open this search with significant resources but a history of instability that continues to weigh down the overall appeal of the job.
Quarterback outlook
The Geno Smith experiment failed to provide long-term answers, and the Raiders are likely headed toward a rookie quarterback under center, creating uncertainty at the most important position.
Roster talent
Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and Maxx Crosby give the roster legitimate cornerstone pieces, but depth and consistency remain issues across much of the lineup.
Front office stability
Frequent leadership changes and short coaching tenures signal a lack of patience at the top, raising concerns about job security even with incremental on-field improvement.
Salary cap & draft capital
This is where the Raiders stand out. Las Vegas owns the No. 1 overall pick and projects to have significant cap flexibility, giving a new coaching staff rare control over the direction of the roster.
Division & competitive landscape
Competing in the AFC West remains a major challenge, with Kansas City, Denver, and Los Angeles all led by established or ascending quarterbacks, narrowing the margin for error.
Why this job ranks No. 6
They call it the Black Hole for a reason.
7. 
Pittsburgh Steelers
CCDI score: 53
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter a rare coaching transition following the end of the Mike Tomlin era, and a quick turnaround doesn’t look likely given the uncertainty at quarterback and an aging roster.
Quarterback outlook
Pittsburgh finds itself in quarterback limbo. Whether it’s a potential return from a 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers, a swing in the draft, or a short-term free-agent solution, there is no clear or immediate answer at the position.
Roster talent
DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt remain high-end cornerstones, but the roster around them lacks proven playmakers, particularly on offense. The defense also took a step back last season, raising questions about overall depth and sustainability.
Front office stability
Stability remains a hallmark of the Steelers organization, which has employed just three head coaches since 1969. Ownership patience under Art Rooney II provides a strong foundation, even as expectations remain high.
Salary cap & draft capital
According to Spotrac, Pittsburgh enters the offseason with approximately $65.4 million in cap space and the No. 21 overall pick. With limited premium draft capital, free agency may represent the most realistic path to roster improvement.
Division & competitive landscape
Even after winning the AFC North, Pittsburgh appears to trail Baltimore and Cincinnati in overall roster strength, leaving little margin for error in a highly competitive division.
Why this job ranks No. 7
While organizational stability and market support are appealing, quarterback uncertainty and a retooling process reliant on free agency make this a challenging landing spot for the coach tasked with following Mike Tomlin.
8. 
Miami Dolphins
CCDI score: 50
The Miami Dolphins enter the coaching market facing real questions about roster construction, cap health, and long-term direction, making this one of the harder jobs to evaluate.
Quarterback outlook
Whether Miami sticks with Tua Tagovailoa and his sizable contract or considers a reset that would bring significant dead cap implications, the Dolphins face limited flexibility at the most important position.
Roster talent
Miami has legitimate offensive playmakers in De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle, but the roster remains uneven, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Front office stability
Owner Stephen Ross has never been shy about spending, but five head coaches over the past 10 seasons suggest impatience and limited long-term stability, even with a generally hands-off ownership approach.
Salary cap & draft capital
According to Spotrac, the Dolphins enter the offseason roughly $8.4 million over the cap, leaving very little room to improve the roster. The No. 11 overall pick provides some value, but the team has multiple needs to address.
Division & competitive landscape
Miami has struggled to keep pace with Buffalo atop the AFC East, and with New England trending upward again, the Dolphins risk settling into the middle of the division without significant improvement.
Why this job ranks No. 8
While the market and location remain attractive, cap constraints, quarterback uncertainty, and roster imbalance make Miami a challenging landing spot for a new head coach.
9. 
Cleveland Browns
CCDI score: 41
The Cleveland Browns enter the coaching market facing major organizational challenges, making this the least desirable opening among current vacancies.
Quarterback outlook
The quarterback position remains unsettled, with no clear long-term solution in place, leaving the Browns behind the curve at the league’s most important position.
Roster talent
Myles Garrett stands as the lone true cornerstone on the roster, underscoring how thin the supporting cast has become despite years of high draft investment.
Front office stability
Cleveland has cycled through 12 head coaches over the past 25 years, highlighting a lack of continuity that continues to undermine long-term progress.
Salary cap & draft capital
The Browns project to have roughly $2 million in cap space (26th overall) while holding the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft, offering limited flexibility and no immediate path to a quick rebuild.
Division & competitive landscape
Competing in the AFC North remains a steep challenge, with Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh all offering more stability and stronger rosters top to bottom.
Why this job ranks No. 9
If the circus were an NFL team, the Browns would be the Barnum & Bailey of the entertainment industry.
