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A dreaded day on the NFL calendar has arrived.
"Black Monday" typically is the harbinger of significant upheaval throughout the league, with teams often taking swift action to shake up their coaching staffs and front offices with the season complete. Typically, about to six or seven head-coaching posts come open each year, though several recent offseasons have seen even more extensive overhauls. With three teams already having moved on, it's a good bet that more action is still to come. And even with several reports indicating that not many coaches are distinctly on thin ice, this stage almost annually has a way of stirring up a few surprises.
USA TODAY Sports will have all the latest updates from throughout Monday, so check back for all the latest:
In the Cleveland Browns' finale, Myles Garrett made NFL history as the single-season sack king, while a languishing offense found a way to upend the Cincinnati Bengals for a 20-18 victory.
The game might also serve as the conclusion to the Kevin Stefanski era.
The two-time NFL Coach of the Year is not expected to remain with the organization, according to multiple reports.
After the game, Stefanski brushed aside questions about his future.
“Respectfully, this game's not about me. I told you guys that," Stefanski said. "I'm proud of that group for fighting."
It might not count as a high note, but Pete Carroll's Las Vegas Raiders tenure might at least be capped by a win.
The Raiders, who secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft before playing Sunday, closed out the campaign with a 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet that very likely won't move the needle for the oldest coach in NFL history and his job security.
Carroll is widely expected to be one-and-done in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.
Carroll said after the game that he "of course" would like to return and that he is not contemplating retirement.
“Nobody is talking to me about that,” he said. “I haven’t said a word about that.”
The Arizona Cardinals tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-14 and had the worst point differential (-133) of any team in the NFC.
Nevertheless, coach Jonathan Gannon appears in line to return for his fourth season with the franchise.
After a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams wrapped up a 3-14 season, the Cardinals on Sunday released Monday's media schedule with Gannon listed as a speaker. That would indicate that he is expected to remain with the organization.
The Cardinals encountered plenty of trouble this season, with injuries looming large over the campaign. The team finished the year with 24 players on injured reserve.
The Indianapolis Colts didn't provide much of a runway for speculation to linger.
Shortly after their season concluded with a 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts announced that both coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard would return for 2026.
Indianapolis became the first team in 30 years to start 8-2 and miss the playoffs, as the team dropped its final seven games. Daniel Jones' torn Achilles in Week 14 loomed large over the franchise's spiral, with the Colts signing 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers - who had been retired for five years – in a last-ditch attempt to revive its postseason hopes. But the Colts would still miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year.
Indianapolis now enters a challenging offseason with at least some stability. The Colts must decide on the future of Jones, who is set to become a free agent, while also fortifying a roster that will be without a first-round draft pick for the next two years after the midseason trade to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Ahead of a day that's typically heavy on action, USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis provided four predictions for Black Monday.
At least one of them – regarding a playoff team joining those embracing change – won't be clear until later. But count Davis among the group expecting a quieter Monday than we've seen in years past.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL coach firing rumors: Latest Black Monday news on teams' moves
Continue reading...
"Black Monday" typically is the harbinger of significant upheaval throughout the league, with teams often taking swift action to shake up their coaching staffs and front offices with the season complete. Typically, about to six or seven head-coaching posts come open each year, though several recent offseasons have seen even more extensive overhauls. With three teams already having moved on, it's a good bet that more action is still to come. And even with several reports indicating that not many coaches are distinctly on thin ice, this stage almost annually has a way of stirring up a few surprises.
USA TODAY Sports will have all the latest updates from throughout Monday, so check back for all the latest:
Kevin Stefanski's future unclear in Cleveland
In the Cleveland Browns' finale, Myles Garrett made NFL history as the single-season sack king, while a languishing offense found a way to upend the Cincinnati Bengals for a 20-18 victory.
The game might also serve as the conclusion to the Kevin Stefanski era.
The two-time NFL Coach of the Year is not expected to remain with the organization, according to multiple reports.
After the game, Stefanski brushed aside questions about his future.
“Respectfully, this game's not about me. I told you guys that," Stefanski said. "I'm proud of that group for fighting."
Pete Carroll's time with Raiders seemingly wrapping up
It might not count as a high note, but Pete Carroll's Las Vegas Raiders tenure might at least be capped by a win.
The Raiders, who secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft before playing Sunday, closed out the campaign with a 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet that very likely won't move the needle for the oldest coach in NFL history and his job security.
Carroll is widely expected to be one-and-done in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.
Carroll said after the game that he "of course" would like to return and that he is not contemplating retirement.
“Nobody is talking to me about that,” he said. “I haven’t said a word about that.”
Jonathan Gannon on solid ground with Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-14 and had the worst point differential (-133) of any team in the NFC.
Nevertheless, coach Jonathan Gannon appears in line to return for his fourth season with the franchise.
After a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams wrapped up a 3-14 season, the Cardinals on Sunday released Monday's media schedule with Gannon listed as a speaker. That would indicate that he is expected to remain with the organization.
The Cardinals encountered plenty of trouble this season, with injuries looming large over the campaign. The team finished the year with 24 players on injured reserve.
Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard spared by Colts
The Indianapolis Colts didn't provide much of a runway for speculation to linger.
Shortly after their season concluded with a 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts announced that both coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard would return for 2026.
Indianapolis became the first team in 30 years to start 8-2 and miss the playoffs, as the team dropped its final seven games. Daniel Jones' torn Achilles in Week 14 loomed large over the franchise's spiral, with the Colts signing 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers - who had been retired for five years – in a last-ditch attempt to revive its postseason hopes. But the Colts would still miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year.
Indianapolis now enters a challenging offseason with at least some stability. The Colts must decide on the future of Jones, who is set to become a free agent, while also fortifying a roster that will be without a first-round draft pick for the next two years after the midseason trade to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Black Monday predictions: What to expect
Ahead of a day that's typically heavy on action, USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis provided four predictions for Black Monday.
At least one of them – regarding a playoff team joining those embracing change – won't be clear until later. But count Davis among the group expecting a quieter Monday than we've seen in years past.
Which NFL coaches have already been fired entering Black Monday?
- The Atlanta Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday.
- The New York Giants fired coach Brian Daboll in November.
- The Tennessee Titans fired coach Brian Callahan in October.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL coach firing rumors: Latest Black Monday news on teams' moves
Continue reading...
