Following Klint Kubiak’s reported hiring by the Las Vegas Raiders, all 10 open NFL head coaching positions have been filled.
As the new coaches are introduced to fans and media, here are four of the biggest takeaways from initial press conferences from this head coaching cycle.
Saleh switches up play calling approach
The lessons new Titans head coach Robert Saleh learned from his failed stint as New York Jets head coach are becoming clear from the start in Tennessee.
“I didn’t call plays in New York and I just kind of gave it all to the coordinators,” Saleh said in his press conference on Jan. 29.
The second-time head coach went 20-36 in his first head coaching stint with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024. Current Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called plays for his entire tenure.
“I joke with [General Manager Mike Borgonzi], on game day when I didn’t call plays, I felt like I was just the time out and red flag guy,” Saleh said, adding that he had the greatest seat in the house for a fan.
Following his ouster from the Jets, Saleh returned to San Francisco under HC Kyle Shanahan for a second run as 49ers DC. The 49ers were a middle of the pack defense by measure of yards allowed in 2025 but were without defensive linchpins Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for much of the season.
The Titans, who were bottom five in points allowed, bring in a well-respected play caller in Saleh who will help run the defense with help from the new DC, veteran Gus Bradley.
“To be able to call plays and maintain that connection, maintain that feel for what the players are going through, I think is very very important in my seat,” Saleh said.
Potential McCarthy-Rodgers reunion
One of the first questions asked to new Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy during his introductory press conference on Jan. 27 pertained to the status of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“Definitely, I mean I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy said when asked if he wanted Rodgers to return in his personal best-case scenario.
While McCarthy has garnered a reputation for developing young QBs, the only such option on Pittsburg’s current roster would be former sixth rounder Wil Howard.
McCarthy oversaw Rodgers’ development with the Green Bay Packers, winning a Superbowl and coaching Rodgers to two Most Valuable Players awards. The 13-year-partnership seemingly ended with McCarthy’s firing following the 2018 season, but the possibility of a reunion may have been one of the reasons McCarthy landed a third head coaching gig.
“I watched most of the Pittsburg games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team,” McCarthy said.
After throwing for 3322 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, Rodgers had interest in returning to the Steelers under former HC Mike Tomlin before his resignation, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The team has reportedly given Rodgers a one-month deadline on making the decision to return, according to Jeff Hathorn of 93.7 The Fan. However, McCarthey understands Rodgers’ need for patience on deciding.
“When guys are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s very important. The game is so emotional.”
DC dispute in Cleveland
Former Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken won out in the Browns HC search, leaving a sour taste in the mouth of incumbent DC and fellow finalist Jim Schwartz.
Schwartz reportedly wants out of his contract with the Browns, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Monken was asked multiple questions regarding Schartz’s status during his press introduction on Feb. 3., and while the first-time head coach said that he’s spoken to Schwartz, he did little to point towards a return for Schwartz.
“I didn’t take the job because of Jim Schwartz,” Monken said. “I have a lot of respect for Jim Schwartz as I would hope he has for me. But I took it because of the players that are here, the ownership, [GM] Andrew Berry and the ability to build this roster from the ground up on the offensive side.”
Monken repeatedly emphasized the players, noting that the scheme will remain the same regardless of who is calling plays.
“When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz,” Monken said. “I was chipping Myles Garrett.”
Current Browns defenders, such as superstar Garrett and five-time Probowler Denzel Ward, have called for Schwartz to be retained.
The Browns defense allowed the fourth-least yards in 2025, with Garrett breaking the single-season sack record.
Should Schwartz be allowed to explore other opportunities, options may be limited save for a demotion. The Raiders own the lone DC vacancy remaining.
Retroactive New York OC search indicator
John Harbaugh credited football figures ranging from his father, Jack, to Ravens ownership in his opening press conference on Jan. 20.
Amongst those names was Andy Reid, whom Harbaugh coached under with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1998 through 2007.
“Andy’s a man of few words, and his four words to me were ‘change can be good,’” Harbaugh said.
While that comment signaled nothing more at the time than an appreciation of a former mentor who had previously walked a similar path, it stands out more following the hiring of former Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy as Giants OC on Tuesday.
Following his firing as Chicago Bears head coach, Nagy spent the four seasons with the Chiefs in his second stretch under Reid, serving three as OC.
The Chiefs let Nagy walk in favor of bringing back another old friend in Eric Bieniemy for his second run as OC. Despite the parting of ways, it seems Reid and Nagy remain on good terms.
“Matt and I have a great relationship,” Reid said in a press conference on Jan. 26 following Bieniemy’s hire. “Before the season even started here, I knew that he wanted an opportunity to have his own show.”
Nagy will receive that opportunity with the Giants, along with a chance to spearhead the development of second-year QB Jaxson Dart.
Considering the ties between Harbaugh and Reid, along with Reid’s campaigning for Nagy, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Reid was in Harbaugh’s ear about Nagy during the Giants’ OC search.