It's been a dramatic start to the head coach hiring cycle. John Harbaugh's presence shook the landscape considerably. And it could get even more dramatic if the Green Bay Packers part ways with Matt LaFleur.
The Packers looked in complete control before falling to a phenomenal fightback from the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round. Micah Parsons' injury was a body blow to a bold Super Bowl bid that was expected, but it has raised fresh questions about whether LaFleur's time in Green Bay has run its course.
If, and it's a big if, LaFleur and the Packers go their separate ways, he's another who'll probably get an immediate opportunity. That won't bode well for Kliff Kingsbury before his meetings with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. However, an insider report suggests he won't be out of work for long if he doesn't do enough to get a top job.
Kliff Kingsbury remains coveted after Commanders exit, in more ways than one
Mike Garafolo from the NFL Network confirmed that Kingsbury was still in contention for the Titans and Ravens. However, other head coaches who are interviewing around the league are reportedly naming him as their ideal offensive coordinator candidate if they earn jobs.
"He's still in the mix for a head coaching job. The Titans and the Ravens have requested interviews with [Kliff] Kingsbury. He's also an offensive coordinator candidate there, and elsewhere. There are some head coaching that are interviewing that have Kingsbury potentially lined up as their offensive coordinator, so a lot of possibilities when it comes to Kingsbury."Mike Garafolo
With The Insiders on @NFLGameDay on Kliff Kingsbury’s prospects as HC and OC and why the #Ravens need to get the right fit at those spots for Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/HAf1PkAliQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 11, 2026
This will be comforting to hear from Kingsbury's standpoint. His time with the Washington Commanders may have come to an abrupt end, but he remains respected in league circles. If the Titans and Ravens go in different directions, Garafolo's report suggests there will be a queue of suitors looking to bring him in as their play-caller.
Kingsbury is a laid-back guy. There was a difference of opinion with Dan Quinn and a supposed disconnect with general manager Adam Peters. That's the way it shakes out sometimes in a losing season. Sacrifices were always going to be made, and the Commanders' head coach was not going to carry the can this time around.
The Commanders moved swiftly to replace him with David Blough. That comes with risk, but it could also pay off handsomely if everything goes well. It's clear something wasn't right within the building. Some beat writers even noticed it during the summer. However, Quinn had built up enough equity to get the benefit of the doubt, and Kingsbury did not.
What the future holds for Kingsbury remains to be seen, but it seems as if he'll be calling plays in some capacity when the 2026 campaign begins.