NFL Black Monday Recap
It’s that time again—Black Monday in the NFL has made its presence felt.
The 2025 regular season is behind us, almost like a blur, and as playoff teams gear up for their shot at the Lombardi Trophy this weekend, some franchises are facing major changes.
Speaking of changes, 18 franchises have faced disappointing seasons, which means some head coaches and general managers might not be returning. I mean, how many teams can really afford to miss the playoffs and stay the course? It’s going to be interesting to see who’s in and who’s out.
So, let’s dive into the latest on the firings in the league following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Arizona Cardinals Make Changes
Reports have surfaced that the Arizona Cardinals have let go of head coach Jonathan Gannon after a lackluster season.
Gannon leaves with a 15-36 record over three seasons, including a mere eight wins last year.
Meanwhile, general manager Monty Ossenfort will keep his position and will remain on board through 2026.
Source: Cardinals fire head coach Jonathan Gannon. Arizona ended the season with nine straight losses, and Gannon ultimately lost his job. Cardinals GM Monty Ossenfort will lead the search for a new head coach. pic.twitter.com/WGE9Cx9jEU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders Part Ways with Pete Carroll
The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to fire head coach Pete Carroll after just one season.
His departure was confirmed by the organization, following a dismal 3-14 record in his single year at the helm.
Carroll, who came out of retirement to lead the Raiders, had previously spent 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
While Carroll exits, general manager John Spytek will remain in his position for next season.
Cleveland Browns Dismiss Kevin Stefanski
Kevin Stefanski has become the latest head coach to be let go, being the second to part ways shortly after the 2025 season ended.
The Cleveland Browns confirmed they fired Stefanski, who left with a 44-56 record over six seasons. During his time, he did manage to lead the team to the playoffs in 2020 and 2023.
Interestingly, Stefanski earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors in both postseason years. It’s likely that several teams will be interested in him, including the New York Giants.
Atlanta Falcons Shake Up Leadership
Initially, general manager Terry Fontenot seemed safe when news of head coach Raheem Morris’s firing broke. However, things changed quickly.
The Falcons announced Fontenot’s removal shortly after Morris’s departure. Over the past five seasons, Fontenot had a 36-48 record, and with no playoff appearances, the decision to part ways wasn’t unexpected.
With both Morris and Fontenot gone, the Falcons are preparing for a complete overhaul, perhaps making significant moves in the NFC South.
Raheem Morris Out as Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
The first departure came from the Atlanta Falcons, who moved on from head coach Raheem Morris after the regular season wrapped up.
Atlanta’s decision followed a narrow victory against the New Orleans Saints in week 18, ending Morris’s tenure with a 19-25 record over three seasons. He wasn’t able to lead the team to the playoffs throughout his time.
Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have been fired. https://t.co/qW5yA3PxdY
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 5, 2026
There were whispers that Morris might stay on, especially after a good finish to the season. Still, it didn’t hold up. It seems likely that he’ll attract interest in the upcoming coaching cycle, and if a head coaching gig doesn’t come his way, a defensive coordinator role elsewhere seems probable given his background.
