NFL Black Monday 2026: Cardinals, Browns, Falcons, and Raiders Fire Head Coaches

The NFL’s annual day of reckoning, “Black Monday,” arrived with swift and sweeping changes this morning as franchises across the league began their pivots toward the 2026 season. The coaching carousel is spinning at full speed, with the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders all parting ways with their head coaches in a dramatic reshuffling of the league's hierarchy, joining the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans in the search for a new leader.

While the firings have dominated the morning, the afternoon has been consumed by a massive rumor coming out of Las Vegas involving Tom Brady and a potential coaching "super team."

Here is a full breakdown of the major moves and the developing storylines.

Raiders Fire Pete Carroll as Tom Brady Eyes a Coaching “Super Staff”

In the most surprising move of the day, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with Pete Carroll. The legendary coach’s tenure in the desert ends abruptly as the franchise looks to pivot in a new direction. Carroll’s arrival was a bold gamble to instill a winning culture, but the results on the field never matched the hype.

The Rumor Mill Explosion: Minutes after the firing, reports surfaced that minority owner Tom Brady is preparing to exert "heavy influence" on the next hire. The objective? Injecting "Patriot DNA" into a franchise that has lacked stability.

Speculation suggests Brady is targeting Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores as the next head coach. The twist involves pairing Flores with former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was fired earlier this season, as the league's highest-paid Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.

The logic is clear: while former Patriots assistants have struggled in Vegas before, Flores offers the "no-nonsense" approach that ownership craves, contrasting sharply with Carroll's style. Brady and Flores have maintained a strong relationship, and the Raiders, historically the league’s rebel franchise, appear willing to embrace the controversy to build a winner.

Cardinals Fire Jonathan Gannon After 3-14 Season

Breaking news midday confirmed that the Arizona Cardinals have fired head coach Jonathan Gannon following a dismal 3-14 finish to the 2025 season.

Gannon, hired in 2023, exits with a 15-36 overall record. While the Cardinals showed flashes early in his tenure, the bottom fell out in 2025. Injuries, including significant time missed by quarterback Kyler Murray, plagued the roster, but a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league ultimately sealed Gannon's fate.

The Outlook: Arizona enters the market with a complex job opening. With Murray still under a massive contract, the Cardinals are expected to prioritize an offensive-minded leader, though finding a true "culture builder" remains critical for owner Michael Bidwill.

Browns Part Ways With Kevin Stefanski After Disappointing 2025 Season

After six seasons, the Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Kevin Stefanski following a 5-12 campaign. Stefanski leaves with a complicated legacy: a two-time NFL Coach of the Year (2020, 2023) who brought stability and a playoff win to the franchise. However, offensive inconsistency and a failure to meet high expectations in 2025 forced ownership's hand.

The Outlook: General Manager Andrew Berry is reportedly safe. The Browns will likely target a dynamic play-caller to revitalize an offense that finished near the bottom of the league in scoring.

Falcons Clean House: Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot Out

The Atlanta Falcons opted for a complete organizational reset, firing both head coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot. Morris posted back-to-back 8-9 seasons, unable to break the team's streak of mediocrity despite heavy roster investment.

The Outlook: This is arguably the most attractive opening. With a talented young offensive core, the Falcons offer a "turnkey" situation for a high-profile candidate who wants to win immediately.

NFL Coaching Carousel Update: Titans Search, Bengals Stay Put, Steelers Speculation

Bengals Stand Pat 

Despite missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season and finishing 5-12, there will be no change in Cincinnati. Bengals owner Mike Brown issued a statement confirming that head coach Zac Taylor and Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin will return in 2026. Brown cited the duo's past Super Bowl appearance as proof of their ceiling, stating, "We trust their plans and expect to return to our desired level of success."

Titans Seeking Experience 

The Tennessee Titans, who fired Brian Callahan back in September, are wasting no time now that the regular season has concluded. The team has reportedly sent out a flurry of interview requests, prioritizing experience and defensive acumen. Names linked to the opening include Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo, and Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, who has rehabilitated his image under Andy Reid.

A "Weak" Coordinator Class? 

Unlike previous years that featured "sure things," the 2026 cycle lacks a slam-dunk, first-time head coaching candidate. This could lead teams to favor retreads over the current crop of coordinators. If teams do look to younger options, the shortlist includes Bills OC Joe Brady, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, and Chargers DC Jesse Minter.

Steelers Speculation 

In one of the strangest storylines of the day, speculation about Mike Tomlin's future continues to swirl even after the Steelers clinched the AFC North title. Discussion persists regarding a potential "trade" involving the long-time coach should the Steelers suffer another early playoff exit, though this remains firmly in the realm of speculation for now.