Welcome to the weekly Fantasy Notebook, the must-stop spot for keeping your finger on the pulse of Fantasy Nation. NFL news and developments drive fantasy values. The Notebook is here to keep you in the loop on all of it throughout the season -- and into the offseason.
The 2026 Coaching Carousel Just Got Wilder
Sean McDermott's unexpected firing in Buffalo on Monday created the 10th head coach opening this offseason. With the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans moving quickly to fill their openings, six teams, the Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals, remain.
The sudden opening in Buffalo will have an impact beyond the Bills, as some candidates might want to explore that possibility before committing elsewhere -- and teams will want to add McDermott to their lists of candidates . . .
Big Turnover
According to ESPN, the 10 NFL head coach changes are the most in a single hiring cycle since there were 10 before the 2022 season -- and tied for the most all-time along with the offseasons heading into the 1978, 1997, and 2006 seasons.
The bigger issue is the value of the openings created.
For example, the last two NFL MVPs, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, currently do not have head coaches . . .
Out With (More of) the Old
As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio framed it, "As the Bills annually failed to parlay the talents of a generational franchise quarterback into the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance in well over a generation, a nagging question emerged -- even if the mere mention of it made folks within the organization very uneasy.
"Is the problem a lack of talent, or is it a failure of coaching?"
Despite the common outside view that Allen's supporting cast was what has mainly held the Bills back in their Super Bowl quest, WGRZ's Vic Carucci contends general manager Brandon Beane managed to convince Bills owner Terry Pegula that coaching was the primary culprit.
Carucci went on to suggest that how he pulled that off is hard to understand, considering McDermott may have done the best work of his career in leading the Bills to a 12-5 record with glaring weaknesses at wide receiver and on the defensive line.
Still, Pegula, who said the decision was based on the loss in Denver, fired McDermott while Beane was retained and promoted to president of football operations. He will oversee the coaching search . . .
Was It the Right Choice?
As noted by Benjamin Solak of ESPN.com, the Bills have drafted 56 players since acquiring Allen in 2018. Only two of them (running back James Cook and tight end Dawson Knox) have made it to the Pro Bowl.
The broader reality is that the Bills haven't been good enough around Allen.
So, two days after the team's latest postseason exit, at a time when the Bills didn't have to contend with the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes II, the Bengals and Joe Burrow, and the Ravens and Jackson, Pegula arrived at the breaking point.
The coach took the fall, and the Bills will move another year into Allen's prime with a different direction in September. And, ideally, a different result in January.
What's Next?
The Buffalo job instantly becomes the most attractive, with an MVP-level quarterback in his prime, and with no questions about his short- or long-term future with the team.
The Bills have other pieces, including the NFL's leading rusher, Cook, two good offensive tackles, and several young players on defense, including safety Cole Bishop and pass rusher Greg Rousseau.
However, there are significant holes to fill -- starting with the wide receiver position.
There will also be pressure and high expectations.
But, as Florio suggested, not many open spots come with this kind of potential and opportunity . . .
Who's Next
According to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, a few former Buffalo offensive coordinators -- in-house option Joe Brady and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll -- could get looks.
Carucci believes they could even pair that duo up, with Brady as head coach and Daboll as playcaller.
But this is also a chance for the Bills to reinvent themselves in a new image with a younger coach. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are among intriguing options still on the board.
Fowler believes a trio of young offensive coaches -- Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Rams pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, and Broncos pass-game coordinator Davis Webb -- are worth interviewing, too . . .
Meet the New Boss(es)
The hiring portion of the 2026 NFL coaching carousel officially commenced over the weekend. These openings -- and how they're filled -- are a big deal from both the NFL and fantasy football perspectives.
From the NFL perspective, the level of day-to-day control a head coach wields is enormous.
They work an intense, round-the-clock schedule while functioning like a corporate CEO, focusing on team culture, talent evaluation, and strategic planning. Day-to-day tasks include game-planning and managing personnel in the regular season, then switching to a more administrative, scouting-focused role in the offseason.
What Matters for Us
Head coaches determine their team's on-field approach, hire and oversee offensive and defensive coordinators (with many of them serving as de facto coordinators and playcallers), assistant coaches on both sides of the ball, and more.
The playcallers on offense -- whether it's the incoming head coach or the offensive coordinators hired to handle that role -- will be vital to us.
With that said, let's review the four new coaches landing new jobs so far . . .
Harbaugh Plants A Giant Flag
As The Athletic framed it: "New York Giants fans can breathe a sigh of relief."
The Giants and John Harbaugh finalized a five-year deal, the team announced Saturday, to make the Super Bowl XLVII champion their next head coach.
Harbaugh interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons and had tentative plans to meet with the Tennessee Titans, but New York was the first team to have him in its facility for an interview.
"It's the New York Football Giants," Harbaugh told The Athletic's Ian O'Connor in a phone interview on Saturday afternoon . . .
Why New York?
According to ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan, Harbaugh vetted teams perhaps more than they vetted him. His extensive track record afforded him that luxury and control. In essence, he was able to call his own shot in this coaching search.
Not surprisingly, the veteran coach wanted a team that had a strong quarterback situation.
The Giants have Jaxson Dart, who works best off-platform in much the same way that Jackson has in Baltimore.
"It starts with the quarterback, for sure," Harbaugh said during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. "You build your team around your quarterback . . . I like his talent, skill set, all the things he's accomplished. But more than that, I like who he is and what he's about. To me, he's about football.
"Can't wait to get started with him."
Draft capital was also important. It will allow Harbaugh the opportunity to add good, young players in the same way the Ravens did in Baltimore during much of his tenure. The Giants have the fifth pick in this year's draft. They don't have a third-round pick (that was used to get Dart), but could replenish with a trade.
The Giants are currently estimated to have just over $20 million in cap space this offseason (which will grow another $20 to $30 million with cuts) and over $100 million in 2027.
That kind of flexibility will allow them to supplement the roster sufficiently with free agents.
But it took more than that . . .
A Paradigm Shift
Harbaugh will report directly to Giants co-owner John Mara. Historically, the Giants have employed a different front-office chain of command, with the head coach reporting to the general manager and the GM to owners Mara and Steve Tisch.
However, as the Ravens head coach, Harbaugh reported directly to team owner Steve Bisciotti, and the coach negotiated a similar arrangement with the Giants.
That will make Harbaugh the first Giants head coach to operate under such a structure.
Harbaugh said that he looks forward to building a strong partnership with Giants GM Joe Schoen, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Harbaugh had productive relationships with executives Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta during his time with the Ravens, and he said that's the plan with Schoen. When asked who would have the final say in the NFL Draft if the two disagree, the 63-year-old coach said they will "do whatever it takes to get on the same page . . ."
It Goes Beyond That
Harbaugh said final negotiations with the Giants involved "building the football operations structure."
After speaking with former coaches and players who were with the Ravens and Giants, Raanan reported all of them held the same view: The Ravens' operation was running at a different level -- everything from analytics, training, video, medical, and personnel.
Baltimore is known to spare no expense. Huge staffs, top-notch facilities. One of the best-run organizations, top to bottom, in the NFL.
Several people who know Harbaugh well told Raanan that the coach would want significant changes to the way the Giants organization operates.
That appears to be taking shape right from the jump . . .
Setting Expectations
The Giants have gone just 7-27 over the past two seasons and could benefit from an established, winning coach.
Harbaugh ranks 12th in NFL history with 193 wins and guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2012. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2019.
In leading the Ravens for 18 seasons, he was the second-longest-active coach in the league behind Mike Tomlin, who was in his 19th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before stepping down last week . . .
First Steps
The top priorities for Harbaugh are assembling the staff and assessing the roster.
"I think the Giants roster is strong and it's our job to make it stronger," he said. "We are going to compete for the playoffs and for championships. I expect and want to make the playoffs next year."
As ESPN.com's Ben Solak explained, Harbaugh is a CEO head coach -- one who doesn't call plays for a specific unit but instead manages his staff.
So, his ability to identify rising coaching talent and develop coordinators-in-waiting is critical, and Harbaugh's record on the defensive side of the ball is strong.
Offensively, Harbaugh's offensive coordinator at Baltimore is the natural first option for the Giants. The Athletic's Dianna Russini believes landing Ravens coordinator Todd Monken has always been the plan.
Monken runs what is generally termed a "spread offense", but is an amalgamation of a wide range of concepts and philosophies from both college and the NFL . . .
Sharpening Dart
As Raanan suggested, there is work to be done. Dart completed a league-low 34 percent of his passes under pressure this past season. He should be helped by Harbaugh's experience building an offense and system with a quarterback who makes a large chunk of plays off-script and with his legs.
The veteran voices of Harbaugh and Monken would hopefully have a strong influence on Dart's play style, as that is perhaps a bigger concern than any schematic considerations. Dart played a dangerous brand of football as a rookie. Both from holding the ball in the pocket and from running often, Dart was hit 148 times in just 14 games -- more than 10 hits per contest.
There will be a heavy focus on the running game. Philosophically, that will never change -- Cam Skattebo investors take heart . . .
Stefanski 2.0 Takes Flight in Atlanta
Matt Ryan found his man, and the Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach.
On Saturday night, the team announced the hiring of Kevin Stefanski. According to The Athletic's Josh Kendall, the 43-year-old Stefanski's deal with the Falcons is for five years. He succeeds Raheem Morris, who went 20-25 in three seasons (including his interim stint in 2020) at the helm and was not retained following the 2025 season.
Stefanski is the first hire made by Ryan, the franchise's all-time leading passer, who was hired on Jan. 10 as the team's new president of football and charged with jumpstarting an organization that has posted six straight losing seasons.
Stefanski was 45-56 in his six seasons with the Browns.
He was named NFL Coach of the Year twice (2020 and 2023) and led Cleveland to two playoff appearances, though his team finished in the top half of the AFC North only twice while battling Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati . . .
Another Piece Coming
The hiring of Stefanski gives the Falcons an experienced voice in the building, which could be important if Atlanta hires a first-time general manager under Ryan, who is in his first year in any executive position.
Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams are the top candidates.
Both were interviewed for the president of football position, but Atlanta must request interviews for the general manager position separately from the president of football interview process . . .
A Talented Cast Awaits
The Falcons boast a sturdy core of difference-makers on both sides of the ball.
On offense, that includes fantasy mainstays like running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London, both top-of-the-line offensive talents. If the Falcons retain tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., who finally reestablished himself as a threat in 2025, that would be an additional weapon for Stefanski.
Atlanta's defense can certainly build on secondary pieces such as A.J. Terrell Jr. and Xavier Watts and front-seven contributors like James Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker, and Brandon Dorlus.
The biggest issue for Stefanski to tackle is a familiar one . . .
Sorting Things Out Under Center
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a partially torn ACL, and Kirk Cousins successfully filled in late last season. It's a puzzle inherited by Stefanski after the previous Falcons regime signed Cousins to a massive free-agent deal and drafted Penix at No. 8 overall in the 2024 draft, just a couple of months apart, only to whiff on both as of now.
Penix showed flashes and could obviously still develop into the franchise signal-caller Atlanta so craves, but he was also inconsistent enough that a new coach would be right to weigh his options. Luckily, Stefanski has proven capable of the art of quarterback whispering, even if he was never able to find the perfect signal-caller to pair with in Cleveland.
Stefanski started his tenure with Baker Mayfield under center before the club went all in on Deshaun Watson ahead of the 2022 season, though he ended up being suspended for the first 11 games of that campaign.
Injuries followed him from then on, leading Stefanski to work with a long line of signal-callers that included Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, and, in 2025, after another fling with Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
So, Stefanski, who won his second Coach of the Year award in 2023 with five different quarterbacks getting a turn, has shown he's comfortable and competent when giving the QB carousel a whirl.
But finding out if Penix is the guy or if it should be someone else will be one of Stefanski's top priorities . . .
Is Cousins a Possible Answer?
Stefanski and Cousins have a strong relationship from their days with the Vikings. Stefanski helped turn Cousins' career around in Minnesota as his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, and Cousins is a natural fit in what Stefanski's offense, at its peak, asks of its quarterbacks.
Regardless, the Falcons have their coach, as well as some newfound optimism under an offensive-minded coach in yet another fresh start . . .
Staffing Up Quickly
Stefanski's coaching staff is already coming together, and it started with retaining the team's defensive coordinator.
Jeff Ulbrich will continue to coach Atlanta's defense.
Although the Falcons finished an uninspiring 19th in points allowed and 15th in yards surrendered, the defense is chock full of talent, with a good mix of young up-and-comers and veterans. When utilized correctly, Atlanta's talented group has a high ceiling.
Ulbrich showed he knows how to utilize them, and now he's sticking around with Stefanski to build on a foundation already laid . . .
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported that Tommy Rees, who was Stefanski's offensive coordinator with the Browns in 2025, is likely to follow the coach and possibly serve in the same role in Atlanta.
Bill Callahan, Cleveland's offensive line coach from 2020-2023 before leaving to coach in Tennessee under his son, Brian, will rejoin Stefanski in Atlanta . . .