The NFL has seen significant turnover among head coaches after the 2025 season. 10 teams will have a different leader when next season starts, and famous names such as John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, and Sean McDermott won’t remain in their respective teams for 2026.
Tony Dungy Warns NFL Teams About Impatience With Head Coaches
The two head coaches involved in the Super Bowl have been with their respective teams for no more than a season. Former head coach Tony Dungy, who was present at the Super Bowl Radio Row on Tuesday (Feb. 3), was asked by PFSN about the reasons for so many changes during the current cycle and warned teams that the grass isn’t always greener.
“I think we’re at an impatient state”, Dungy said. “I just think some of these guys, and maybe I’m a little too close to it. I know what John Harbaugh has done. I know what Sean McDermott’s done. And when you come that close in the playoffs, and you don’t make it, is that the reason to start over? Every owner’s got to make that decision, but I just kind of say, be careful what you wish for.”
John Harbaugh and Sean McDermott were fired after the end of the season. They were two of the coaches with the longest active stints: Harbaugh led the Baltimore Ravens since the 2008 season, winning Super Bowl 47, while McDermott took charge of the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and led them to eight playoff appearances in nine seasons.
Another stunning change happened when Mike Tomlin decided to step down as the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin had been on the job since 2007, leading the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl 43 and another appearance in Super Bowl 45.
RELATED: Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Where Do George Pickens, Daniel Jones Rank?
Harbaugh and the Ravens had an 8-9 season, prompting changes among reports that the relationship with Lamar Jackson wasn’t at its best. Even with Lamar and Derrick Henry on the roster, Baltimore’s offense struggled throughout the year, ranking at No. 20 in PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric with a score of 72.7. They were No. 2 and No. 6 in the past two seasons.
McDermott, on the other hand, led the Bills to a playoff victory in 2025. Despite the disappointment of the elimination in the AFC Divisional Round, Buffalo still had a good team, ranked No. 3 in OFFi. The lack of a Super Bowl appearance during his nine seasons cost him his job.
McDermott is expected to take a sabbatical year. Harbaugh has already signed with the New York Giants for the 2026 season.
We’ll see if the changes deliver the expected results for their teams, but the one thing we know is that whoever hires their services is likely to be satisfied with the results.
