The Ringer NFL Show Black Monday in the NFL Results in Six Head Coach Openings. Now What?
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Jan 6, 2026 Pat Daugherty, an NFL writer and analyst for NBC Sports, joins Sheil to dissect the fallout from Black Monday, featuring six head coach vacancies across the league. They dive into the Atlanta Falcons' controversial reset and assess the ineffectiveness of their hiring strategy. The discussion also covers the Arizona Cardinals’ need for an offensive-minded leader and critiques the Cleveland Browns’ decision to fire Stefanski while retaining the GM. Lastly, they ponder whether the Titans should take a chance on unconventional candidate Greg Olsen.
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Falcons Needed A Clear Reset
- The Falcons needed a reset after repeated seven- to eight-win seasons and poor roster management.
- Raheem Morris was likable but failed at game management and consistency, justifying a coaching change.
Search Firms Are Often Redundant
- Hiring outside search firms for NFL coach and GM jobs feels unnecessary given the small, known candidate pool.
- Pat Daugherty argues owners should identify candidates themselves rather than outsourcing to consultants.
Defensive Coaches Must Dominate Their Side
- Jonathan Gannon was fired because his defense never became elite and he lacked offensive play-calling to compensate.
- Defensive-minded head coaches must dominate their side to remain viable today.