Cards next HC

[DVontel]

With the firing of Callahan, The Athletic's Scoop City newsletter today had a lot of content on 2026 coaching candidates and their potential landing spots.

Under "Teams in Need" they listed:

• 1. Dolphins
• 2. Cardinals (2-4): It's year three of Jonathan Gannon's tenure, and Arizona is still outside the playoff picture. Their Kyler Murray question is unanswered, and their upcoming schedule is one of the league's toughest, starting with Green Bay this week. Expect continued regression from last year's nine-win season.
• 3. Giants
• 4. Bengals
• 5. Browns

Under "Top Candidates", they had:

• Kliff Kingsbury deserves significant credit for tailoring an offense around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, and the Titans and Giants might picture Kingsbury doing the same for their current rookie quarterbacks. Notably, the former 28-37 Cardinals HC refused interview requests last offseason.
• Mike McCarthy, currently between gigs, offers a high-floor option for a team seeking stability and should be the top target for Tennessee and Arizona. Don't forget, Super Bowl champ McCarthy went 125-77-2 in 13 seasons with the Packers and 49-35 in five with the Cowboys.
• Steve Spagnuolo. Is this the year?! The Chiefs' longtime DC seems open to a head-coaching chance – he interviewed with the Jets in January — and could get a non-Jets shot in 2026. The defense-needy Bengals would be an interesting fit.
• Jeff Hafley. The Packers' 46-year-old coordinator has immediately improved their defense into one of the league's elite units. If the former Boston College head coach can pair with a strong offensive coordinator, he fits with the Giants, Bengals or Cardinals.
• Jesse Minter. A longtime member of the Harbaugh coaching tree, working with Jim since 2022 and John from 2017-2020, the Chargers defensive coordinator might sit behind only Hafley on the short list of potential first-timers.

Jeff Howe had a more complete article listing top head-coach candidates for 2026, which I may summarize if I get a chance.

Hilarious list.

 

[DVontel]

Obvious answer is Josh Grizzard. OC for the Bucs.

 

[Chopper0080]

Obvious answer is Josh Grizzard. OC for the Bucs.

Todd Monken is an interesting name. Joe Brady as well. Same with both Kubiak brothers. Mike Kafka as well.

Matt Nagy is an interesting retread. His offense wasn't amazing in Chicago, but he ended his 4 seasons with a 34-31 record and made the playoffs twice.

 

[Chopper0080]

Why are you coming at me in every thread @Mulli ? lol

 

[Chopper0080]

The pizza in Chicago is mid.

 

[DVontel]

Todd Monken is an interesting name. Joe Brady as well.

Super pass on both, especially Brady.

 

[DVontel]

Matt Nagy is an interesting retread. His offense wasn't amazing in Chicago, but he ended his 4 seasons with a 34-31 record and made the playoffs twice.

Sorry for the double quote


But nothing interesting about it. He was carried by good defenses, lol.

 

[Chopper0080]

Super pass on both, especially Brady.

I'm a little surprised about Monken. What is your issue there?

 

[Mulli]

Matt Nagy is

Why are you coming at me in every thread @Mulli ? lol

oops. :hugs:

 

[Chopper0080]

Sorry for the double quote


But nothing interesting about it. He was carried by good defenses, lol.

He also had Mitch Trubisky as his QB.

 

[DVontel]

I'm a little surprised about Monken. What is your issue there?

Rather go for a younger OC. Monken will be 60 next year.

 

[Chopper0080]

Rather go for a younger OC. Monken will be 60 next year.

Fair but Arians gave us a few really good years and I think this organization could use an actual grown up in the room.

I also think his offense fits our personnel as well. He uses TEs...we have TEs. He works around 1 main WR...that is mostly what we have. I could see Wilson being a similar version of Bateman. Monken is a little less run focused.

 

[DVontel]

He also had Mitch Trubisky as his QB.

I would think the HC would have a say on what QB he prefers in a draft.

 

[DVontel]

Fair but Arians gave us a few really good years and I think this organization could use an actual grown up in the room.

In a locker room full of grown ups, this organization should not need an actual grown up, lol. Older doesn’t mean smarter.

 

[Chopper0080]

In a locker room full of grown ups, this organization should not need an actual grown up, lol. Older doesn’t mean smarter.

It doesn't but experience can count. Look at Kliff's issues. Whisenhunt was a younger guy. Same with Gannon. I don't have any reason to believe Monken isn't smart.

 

[Chopper0080]

I would think the HC would have a say on what QB he prefers in a draft.

Ryan Pace was awful so I don't know that it mattered. There are instances where that didn't happen. Frank Reich wasn't listened to in Carolina.

 

[gimpy]

In a locker room full of grown ups, this organization should not need an actual grown up, lol. Older doesn’t mean smarter.

What?? Speak for yourself, young man.

 

[Mulli]

Ryan Pace was awful so I don't know that it mattered. There are instances where that didn't happen. Frank Reich wasn't listened to in Carolina.

Pace hired Nagy tho amirite

 

[kerouac9]

The pizza in Chicago is mid.

Reported for personal attacks. Deep dish is overrated but tavern style is very good and maybe better than NY

 

[Mulli]

Reported for personal attacks. Deep dish is overrated but tavern style is very good and maybe better than NY

No one in Chicago calls it tavern style. NY pizza is better. Deep dish good in the winter or with tourists

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Deep dish good in the winter or with tourists

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Adrian]

Maybe Belichick girlfrie...er I mean the Bill Belichick. Yeah that what I meant.


But he's so old.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Doesn't Arians have a protégé on the offensive side of the ball? I know Bowles was his guy, but all the coaches have
'trees". Who's on Arians tree? Leftwich can't be the only offensive guy.
I want that offensive philosophy back.

 

[kerouac9]

Doesn't Arians have a protégé on the offensive side of the ball? I know Bowles was his guy, but all the coaches have
'trees". Who's on Arians tree? Leftwich can't be the only offensive guy.
I want that offensive philosophy back.

Freddie Kitchens is still kicking around at UNC

 

[Stout]

New York and Chicago style both suck. Give me a firm crusted pizza slice all around, including on the bottom, with thick, rich, fluffy crust body and copious toppings. I want to be able to pick it up by the crust without worrying about it drooping to the floor. I also don't want to eat my pizza with cutlery.