Black Monday claimed four more head coaches before the afternoon, bringing the 2025 season’s total to six dismissals and setting up one of the busier coaching carousels in recent memory.
The Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll after one disastrous season, the Cleveland Browns parted ways with Kevin Stefanski after six years, the Atlanta Falcons dumped Raheem Morris hours after he thought he’d survived, and the Arizona Cardinals let go of Jonathan Gannon following a franchise-worst 14-loss campaign.
Combined with the midseason firings of Brian Callahan in Tennessee and Brian Daboll in New York, six franchises enter the offseason searching for new leadership.
Every NFL Coach Fired on Black Monday
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Carroll becomes the latest one-and-done coach in Raiders history, joining Antonio Pierce as back-to-back single-season failures in Las Vegas (although Pierce did have a stint as interim coach).
The 74-year-old posted a 3-14 record in his return to coaching, and the Raiders finished dead last in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Carroll fired both special teams coordinator Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly during the season, but nothing improved. The Raiders ended on a 10-game losing streak before a meaningless Week 18 win over Kansas City.
“Moving forward, general manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach,” owner Mark Davis said in a statement.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
The two-time Coach of the Year couldn’t survive Cleveland’s quarterback carousel. Kevin Stefanski finishes with a 46-58 record over six seasons, including an 8-26 mark the past two years. Thirteen different quarterbacks started under his watch — the most in the NFL during that span.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory.”
MORE: List of Current NFL Head Coaches
General manager Andrew Berry will remain with the team and lead the coaching search. Stefanski is expected to be among the most coveted candidates in this hiring cycle.
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Raheem Morris expected to return in Atlanta. He said as much after Sunday’s 19-17 win over New Orleans, with owner Arthur Blank standing in his postgame press conference and giving him a hug. Hours later, Morris and GM Terry Fontenot were both gone.
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” Blank said.
Morris went 16-18 in two seasons, with consecutive 8-9 finishes extending Atlanta’s losing streak to eight consecutive years without a winning record. The Falcons finished on a four-game win streak — all after they’d already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Gannon’s tenure ended after three seasons and a 15-36 record following a franchise-worst 3-14 campaign. The former Eagles defensive coordinator, who helped Philadelphia reach Super Bowl LVII, saw his Cardinals collapse after a 2-0 start, losing 14 of their final 15 games.
Quarterback Kyler Murray missed most of the season after going on injured reserve with a foot injury in Week 5, leaving Jacoby Brissett to manage the offense.
The Cardinals allowed 40-plus points four times in six weeks during their freefall — the only team in the league to do so. Arizona now has six head coaching vacancies since 2017.
Fired Earlier in the Season
Brian Daboll, New York Giants (midseason)
Brian Daboll was fired in November after the Giants blew a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead in a 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, their fourth blown double-digit lead of the year. He went 20-40-1 in three seasons.
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans (midseason)
Brian Callahan lasted just six games into his second season, finishing 4-19 overall. His Titans tenure included a puzzling moment early in the year when he appeared unfamiliar with the catch rules during a failed challenge.
Who Has Survived Black Monday So Far?
Several coaches who appeared vulnerable kept their jobs. The Bengals announced Zac Taylor will return for an eighth season despite Cincinnati’s 6-11 finish and third consecutive playoff miss. The Colts confirmed Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are both staying after an 8-9 campaign.
Reports indicate Mike McDaniel is safe in Miami despite the Dolphins’ disappointing finish and midseason firing of GM Chris Grier. Aaron Glenn will reportedly return to the Jets despite a dismal first season. Todd Bowles appears secure in Tampa Bay despite the Buccaneers missing the playoffs for the first time under his watch.
The wildcard is Baltimore. John Harbaugh’s job security is reportedly uncertain after the Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Owner Steve Bisciotti has historically been patient, but 18 seasons with the same voice and another disappointing finish could prompt a change.
The six openings represent significant opportunities. Atlanta and Cleveland offer established rosters with recent playoff appearances. Arizona has the No. 3 overall pick and questions at quarterback with Murray’s future uncertain. Tennessee and the Giants have high draft capital and young quarterbacks in Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart. Las Vegas holds the No. 1 overall pick and will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The carousel is spinning. Now comes the scramble to stop it.
