The Ravens and Steelers are one of nine NFL teams looking for a new head coach, which can be described as shocking news. That number represents more than 25 percent of the league’s teams, highlighting a growing sense of urgency among some organizations and growing impatience in others. The exceptions are Pittsburgh and Baltimore, which have John Harbaugh (’18) and Mike Tomlin (’19) as tenured professors probably not seen since the late 1980s and early 1990s.
It’s been a slow building process, but one that should pick up steam and make headlines as we get closer to the conference championship game and ultimately the Super Bowl in the next three or four weeks.
December 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass to the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
John Harbaugh With the first domino set to fall any day now in New York, we’ll be ranking all nine open positions based on the organization’s current quarterback room.
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The Arizona situation will be the toughest for the more established candidates because of recent history and the idea that Kyler Murray will be thrown out while his massive death cap will remain. A young star head coach will seize the opportunity and draft his own quarterback with the third overall pick.
8. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa or draft pick
The Dolphins face a similar situation with Tagovailoa, with nearly $55 million guaranteed no matter what the team chooses to do with his contract. Miami owns the No. 11 pick.
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7. Pittsburgh Steelers – Aaron Rodgers
Steelers owner Art Rooney II made it clear Wednesday that “Aaron is here to play for Mike, so I think that’s probably going to factor into his decision,” Rooney said. Pundits are talking ad nauseam about Pittsburgh pursuing Malik Willis in free agency, and such a move would move the organization higher on this list, but most positions can be filled by then.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Penix Jr.
The question for John Harbaugh, or any candidate, is what he feels about Atlanta’s quarterback situation. Michael Penix Jr. is entering his third season and coming off a serious knee injury, and the next coach knows exactly what he’s getting in Kirk Cousins.
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5. Cleveland Browns – Shaddell Sanders
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the next coach could be sold by working with Shedeur Sanders and using the No. 6 and No. 24 picks in the first round.
4. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza
The winner of this lottery will report to Hall of Famer Tom Brady and must plan for the development of an offensive coordinator and a young quarterback, likely Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
The Giants have Jaxson Dart, a talented rookie who performs best off the platform, and need a coach who can bring a disciplined rushing approach and efficiency as a passer.
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2. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward
The expectation is that Tennessee will hire an offensive head coach to effectively oversee the next phase of Cam Ward’s development.
Steve Bisciotti’s press conference with general manager Eric DeCosta showed that Baltimore has a winning culture, a winning history and a highly motivated two-time MVP and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL head coaching vacancies ranked by team’s starting quarterback