The NFL Just Imploded

The NFL’s annual “Black Monday”—the day after the regular season when teams traditionally make sweeping changes to their coaching staffs—arrived early this year. Even before the dust settled on Week 18, several franchises had already begun reshaping their futures, firing head coaches and general managers in quick succession. This year’s carousel is shaping up to be the most dramatic in recent memory, with the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals all making headline-grabbing moves.

In this feature, we’ll break down the reasons behind each decision, the state of these franchises, and the ripple effects these changes will have on the league.

Atlanta Falcons: The End of the Morris-Fontenot Era

Eight Years of Frustration

The Atlanta Falcons have parted ways with head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, signaling the end of a tumultuous era. The decision, made by owner Arthur Blank, comes after the team’s eighth straight season without a playoff berth—the longest active drought in the NFC. For a franchise that was in the Super Bowl less than a decade ago, this extended period of mediocrity is simply unacceptable.

Morris, who joined Atlanta after helping the Los Angeles Rams win a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator, posted back-to-back 8-9 records in his two seasons as head coach. Despite ending the 2025 season on a four-game winning streak—including a dramatic 19-17 victory over the division rival Saints—Morris and Fontenot were let go just hours after the final whistle.

Ownership’s Perspective

In a statement, Arthur Blank expressed appreciation for Morris and Fontenot’s hard work but emphasized the need for new leadership:
“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. The results on the field have not met our expectations.”

The Quarterback Conundrum

The Falcons’ quarterback situation has been a defining issue. In March 2024, Fontenot signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed, despite Cousins recovering from a torn Achilles. Then, just six weeks later, Atlanta used the eighth overall pick on Michael Penix Jr., a quarterback, creating confusion and controversy.

Cousins started the 2024 season but struggled to regain his form, throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with an 88.6 passer rating. The Falcons started strong at 6-3, but four consecutive losses and zero touchdowns from Cousins during that stretch led to his benching in favor of Penix. Penix showed promise but suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 11—his third major knee injury dating back to college. Cousins returned and led Atlanta to four straight wins, but the playoff hopes had already faded.

Coaching and Front Office Decisions

Morris was respected by players and staff, beating out high-profile candidates for the job. However, his tenure was marked by instability:

Defensive coordinator turnover
Offensive coordinator struggles
Time management issues
Questionable personnel moves (e.g., hiring Ike Hilliard, releasing Ray-Ray McCloud)
Lack of transparency about injuries

Fontenot leaves with a 37-48 record over five seasons and zero playoff appearances. The Falcons now face a rebuild with limited draft capital, having traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Rams for James Pierce Jr.

Looking Ahead

Atlanta is reportedly considering consulting former quarterback Matt Ryan in the hiring process for their next head coach. The new regime will inherit a roster with a major quarterback question mark and limited resources to address it. The franchise must decide whether to rebuild around young talent or pursue another veteran quarterback in hopes of a quick turnaround.

Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Carroll’s Short-Lived Tenure and Franchise Uncertainty

A Rebuild Gone Wrong

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to move on from head coach Pete Carroll after one season. Carroll, a Hall of Fame-caliber coach with a Super Bowl ring and national championships at USC, was brought in to lead a rebuild alongside minority owner Tom Brady. The Raiders fired Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco last offseason, traded for quarterback Geno Smith, and drafted Ashton Jy, hoping to create a winning formula.

Instead, the season was a disaster. The offense ranked last in the NFL, Carroll fired both his offensive and special teams coordinators midseason, and the team finished with one of the worst records in franchise history. Two of Carroll’s sons were on the coaching staff, including the offensive line coach—a unit that struggled mightily.

Internal Turmoil

Reports indicate that Tom Brady never wanted Carroll or Smith, preferring Ben Johnson and Matthew Stafford. Brady is now expected to play a major role in the search for Carroll’s replacement.

Franchise cornerstone Max Crosby expressed frustration throughout the season, especially after a late-season dispute over being placed on injured reserve. There is speculation that Crosby could be traded this offseason—a move that would signal a complete rebuild.

The Path Forward

With the likely number one overall pick in the upcoming draft and a quarterback class headlined by Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders have a chance to reset. The coaching search will be wide-ranging, with Brady’s influence looming large. Names like Jesse Minter, a Jim Harbaugh disciple, have been mentioned as potential candidates.

The Raiders must get this hire right. Owner Mark Davis has burned through three coaches in three seasons, and the team’s fan base is desperate for stability and direction.

Cleveland Browns: The Stefanski-Berry Dilemma

A Tale of Two Leaders

The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, despite his impressive resume:

Two-time NFL Coach of the Year
Led Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years
Playoff appearances in multiple seasons

Stefanski’s tenure was marred by quarterback instability, largely stemming from the controversial trade for Deshaun Watson. The Browns sent three first-round picks to Houston and gave Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract—the largest in NFL history at the time. Watson’s suspensions and injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2025, left the Browns cycling through 13 different starting quarterbacks in six seasons.

Despite these challenges, Stefanski managed to keep the team competitive. However, back-to-back seasons with just three and four wins sealed his fate.

The GM Stays

General manager Andrew Berry, who orchestrated the Watson trade, will remain and lead the search for Stefanski’s replacement. Owner Jimmy Haslam praised Berry’s recent moves, including the acquisition of Malik Collins and the Tyson Campbell trade, as well as a strong draft class.

This decision has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts, given Berry’s role in the team’s quarterback carousel. The Browns’ ability to move forward will depend on finding the right head coach and solving the quarterback position once and for all.

Stefanski’s Future

Stefanski is expected to be a top candidate in the coaching market, with teams like the Giants, Titans, and Falcons reportedly interested. His track record before the Watson trade was excellent, and he won’t be unemployed for long.

Arizona Cardinals: Gannon Out, Murray’s Future Uncertain

Defensive Woes and a Historic Collapse

The Arizona Cardinals have fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after three seasons. Gannon, hired as a defensive specialist from Philadelphia, leaves with a 15-36 record and zero playoff appearances. The Cardinals finished 3-14 in 2025, enduring a nine-game losing streak to close out the year.

Despite heavy investment in the defense—drafting Walter Nolan, signing Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell—the unit finished bottom ten in passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and points allowed. Gannon’s inability to fix the defense was a major factor in his dismissal.

Quarterback Questions

Kyler Murray, the number one overall pick in 2019, suffered a mid-foot injury in Week 5 and hasn’t played since. Gannon stuck with Jacoby Brissett down the stretch, raising questions about Murray’s future in Arizona. Moving on from Murray would create significant dead money issues for a franchise already watching its finances closely.

The GM Remains

General manager Monti Ossenfort will lead the search for Gannon’s replacement. The Cardinals hold the number three pick in the draft, but the job may be one of the least attractive openings in the league:

Potential quarterback controversy
Underperforming defense
Cost-conscious ownership
Fan base hungry for success

Gannon’s tenure saw the team go from first place in the NFC West in November 2024 to a historic collapse, and now Arizona must start over once again.

The Broader NFL Coaching Landscape

A League in Flux

The 2026 coaching carousel is one of the most active in recent memory. Teams are increasingly willing to make bold moves, prioritizing new leadership and fresh perspectives over continuity. The decisions made by Atlanta, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and Arizona will have ripple effects across the league, influencing future hires and franchise strategies.

The Importance of Stability

For franchises like the Falcons and Raiders, stability has been elusive. Multiple coaching changes in a short period can disrupt player development and hinder long-term success. The Browns and Cardinals face similar challenges, with quarterback uncertainty compounding their issues.

The Role of Ownership and Front Office

Owners like Arthur Blank and Mark Davis are taking hands-on approaches, while figures like Tom Brady and Matt Ryan may play roles in coaching searches. The retention of general managers in Cleveland and Arizona reflects a belief in their long-term vision, despite recent setbacks.

What’s Next: The Search for New Leadership

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons will prioritize finding a head coach who can navigate the quarterback situation and maximize the young talent on the roster. With limited draft capital, creative roster management will be essential.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders’ coaching search will be extensive, with Tom Brady’s influence shaping the process. The team must decide whether to pursue an experienced coach or a rising star, and how to build around the likely number one overall pick.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns will focus on stability and quarterback development, with Andrew Berry leading the search. The new coach must be prepared to work through the challenges created by the Watson trade and restore consistency to the roster.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals face a rebuild on both sides of the ball. The new coach will need to address the defense, resolve the quarterback controversy, and work within the constraints of a cost-conscious ownership group.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Offseason for Four Franchises

The early arrival of Black Monday in 2026 has set the stage for a transformative offseason in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals are all at crossroads, searching for leadership that can guide them into a new era.

These decisions will shape the futures of each franchise and influence the broader landscape of the league. As the coaching carousel spins, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see which teams can turn adversity into opportunity—and which new leaders will emerge to write the next chapter of NFL history.