Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is emerging as the hottest name on the NFL head coaching market ahead of the 2026 offseason, with his defense on pace to break the single-season sack record, according to ESPN\'s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano. Joseph has ties to the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals if those jobs become available in a wide-open coaching cycle.
This cycle differs significantly from last year when Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel were clear standouts. Both quickly turned around the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots respectively after being hired.
The group of coordinators with head coaching experience will factor heavily into this cycle. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores were prominent candidates last offseason, while Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley impressed in two seasons after four years at Boston College.
\"I continue to think he might just end up being the guy at the top of a bunch of these lists,\" Graziano said of Joseph after visiting Denver last week.
Kansas city Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, former Cowboys/Packers coach Mike McCarthy, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could also receive interviews.
The offensive coordinator market has weakened in recent years as many received head coaching jobs and were fired within two or three years. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Smith, Nagy and possibly Kingsbury lead the offensive candidates, though Washington\'s struggles may dampen interest in Kingsbury.
New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been a finalist with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks previously. Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik represent younger position coach options.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula are gaining traction on the defensive side. Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has bounced back nicely after struggles in Cincinnati last season.