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 Coaching Carousel Keeps Turning
The 2026 NFL head coach hiring cycle continues to play out. In last week's Fantasy Notebook, we covered the first four hires of the season: The Giants landing John Harbaugh; the Falcons going with Kevin Stefanski; Tennessee hiring Robert Saleh; and the Dolphins deciding on Jeff Hafley.
This week, the Steelers, Bills, Ravens, and Browns filled their openings. That leaves the Raiders and Cardinals as the teams still searching.
Setting the Table
Remember, we'll have an entire offseason to dig deeper into these moves and their impact on the players we'll be drafting this summer. Some of that will also be informed by the free-agent signing period in March and, of course, the NFL Draft in April.
Speaking of that, work continues on the 2026 Footballguys Rookie Guide. Version 1 will be released on Feb. 9 -- and it will be available free of charge to all comers. I'll have more on that next week, so be ready.
In the meantime, let's keep sorting out the 2026 NFL Coaching Carousel . . .
Steelers Cast Against Type
Mike McCarthy is joining another historic NFL team. The 62-year-old takes over as head coach in Pittsburgh after Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons with the organization on Jan. 13.
McCarthy didn't coach in 2025. He spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before he and the organization failed to reach a contract extension after the 2024 season, leading to the Cowboys' hiring of Brian Schottenheimer.
McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl title with the Green Bay Packers in the 2010 season, brings that title experience to the Steelers, who last won a Lombardi Trophy to cap off the 2008 season.
In hiring McCarthy, the Steelers made a departure from their previous hiring practices.
Their most recent three previous head coach hires -- Tomlin, Bill Cowher, and Chuck Noll -- were 38 or younger and first-time NFL head coaches.
Another Difference?
The previous leaders in Pittsburgh were known for their defensive mindset, so the Steelers electing to go with McCarthy makes him an outlier.
The team has never had a head coach who called the offensive plays.
They now do.
Asked at his introductory press conference whether he would handle those duties, McCarthy replied, "Definitely, I will call the plays on offense, and obviously will run the offense."
But he'll need somebody to lead it on the field . . .
What About Rodgers?
The Athletic's Mike DeFabo explained that, by hiring McCarthy, the Steelers are taking a calculated risk that an experienced offensive mind who has worked closely with some of the game's great QBs can identify and develop the next franchise quarterback to get them out of their current cycle of veteran Band-Aids.
That's really what this is about; ultimately, McCarthy's tenure in Pittsburgh will and should be judged based on that one point alone . . .
Out of the Darkness?
According to ESPN.com's Brooke Pryor, there's some belief at Steelers headquarters that bringing McCarthy into the fold could lure 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh for a second season.
McCarthy coached Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay, and the pair won their lone Super Bowl title together.
Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II previously said he believed Rodgers' decision about his future would be affected by Tomlin's departure.
"Aaron came here to play for Mike, so I think it would most likely affect his decision," Rooney said Jan. 14 . . .
Could It Continue?
During his introductory press conference, McCarthy was asked whether it's his "personal preference," in light of the "best-case scenario," whether he wants Rodgers to return for 2026.
"I mean, definitely," McCarthy said. "I don't know why you wouldn't. But I think just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough, going through seasons . . . When guys are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress . . . I think that time away is important.
"I have spoken to Aaron, and that's really where we are. But I was able to sit back and watch the games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team."
McCarthy was later asked if there was a timeline for both the team and Rodgers to make a decision.
"Timelines, we haven't discussed that yet," McCarthy said . . .
The Clock is Ticking
As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio suggests, they'll need to discuss it soon.
Free agency starts in six weeks. If the Steelers will be looking for another veteran quarterback, they'll need to have a plan.
Of course, they could do what the Steelers did in 2025 -- prepare to go forward with the guys they have, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, and wait for Rodgers.
"It'd be great to have Aaron back," McCarthy said, "but Will and Mason, I'm really excited to get started with those guys."
Given the circumstances . . .
There's Some Pressure Here
A year ago, Tomlin seemed to know all along that Rodgers would sign in time for the mandatory minicamp in June.
That made the Steelers content to sit tight with Rudolph as the Plan B and Howard as the sixth-round rookie acquired during the draft. This year, it remains to be seen whether there will be a wink-nod that Rodgers will skip the voluntary portion of the offseason program before showing up, or whether he'll take more time before giving the team an official or unofficial decision.
The first question is whether Rodgers wants to return to a team that doesn't have Tomlin in charge. Tomlin was the main reason for Rodgers's decision in 2025.
This time, Rodgers may choose to explore other options before making a decision, with retirement a real possibility.
Not to be Overlooked
Lost in all the focus on Rodgers and the general perception of the hire, McCarthy is good at what he does.
As Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr reminded readers, McCarthy is the 15th-winningest coach in NFL history. His .608 winning percentage is better than that of Bill Parcells, Mike Shanahan, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Mike Ditka, and Jon Gruden.
Between 2016 and '18 -- when EPA data became widely accessible -- McCarthy’s offenses ranked top-seven in expected points added per play.
Orr added that McCarthy can draw good coordinators, most recently sending off both Kellen Moore to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia (he joined the Chargers first) and eventually land a head coaching job in New Orleans, and Dan Quinn to a gig in Washington, where he took the Commanders to the conference championship in 2024.
Assuming they dial in the quarterback, Orr believes McCarthy will raise the floor of an offense that has been left to wither by decades of defense-first philosophy.
In 24 years as a play-caller or head coach, McCarthy has had 14 seasons in which he finished with a top-15 passing offense in net yards per attempt.
The Steelers did that only 10 times in Tomlin's tenure -- all of which occurred with Roethlisberger under center.
So, McCarthy raises the offensive floor -- but fantasy drafters will still be waiting on the QB decision before valuing anyone in this passing game . . .
Bills Choose Continuity
The Buffalo Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to become the club's new head coach on Tuesday.
Brady has agreed to terms on a five-year deal.
The new head coach served as Buffalo's offensive coordinator from 2024-25, as well as interim offensive coordinator for the final nine games of the 2023 season (including playoffs).
Brady, 36, was originally hired by the Bills ahead of the 2022 season and was their quarterbacks coach from 2022-23.
No Offense Intended?
Bills president Brandon Beane said that they were not necessarily looking for an offensive-minded coach.
"This is a bigger job than just a playcaller and schemer," Beane explained. "I think we've seen where guys have been excellent playcallers, but they got to the head coach seat, and they couldn't handle the adversity, the conflict management . . . It's a CEO job. It really is . . . We've got to make sure we get the leadership, the CEO part."
Nonetheless, seven of the nine candidates interviewed for the opening that came after Sean McDermott was fired last week primarily had offensive backgrounds.
And make no mistake . . .
This Was Totally About the Offense
Since taking over as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, Brady consistently put together offenses that are tough to stop. It's a balanced attack that can change depending on the defense it's facing.
He oversaw a Bills offense that ranked top five in several statistical categories in 2025 -- first in rushing yards per game (159.6), first in time of possession (33:08), third in red-zone efficiency (66.2 percent), fourth in points per game, fourth in total yards per game (376.3) and fourth in third down conversion rate (44.8 percent).
In 2024, Brady's offense broke records.
They became the first team in NFL history to score at least 30 rushing and 30 receiving touchdowns in a single season. The Bills averaged 30.9 points per game (best in the AFC) and allowed a league-best 14 sacks that season.
Since becoming Buffalo's offensive coordinator, the Bills averaged 29.6 points per game (second in the league), 367.7 total yards per game (third), 145.4 rushing yards per game (third), and 222.3 passing yards per game (10th).
Better Still
Since 2024, quarterback Josh Allen posted impressive numbers under Brady's guidance.
Allen leads the NFL with 79 offensive touchdowns and ranks in the top 10 in wins (second with 25), passing touchdowns (eighth with 53), passing yards (ninth with 7,399), passing yards per attempt (sixth at 7.8), and passer rating (sixth at 101.8) during that span.
As you would expect, Brady will continue to call offensive plays . . .
There Were No Surprises Here
Having a plan that offers continuity for Allen and Buffalo's offense makes sense. As Florio suggested, this move is all about getting the most out of the remaining years of Allen's prime.
He turns 30 on May 21. How many more chances do Allen and the Bills realistically have before his abilities begin to yield to Father Time?
They needed to get this hire right. Brady seems like a good start, but time will tell.
In the short term?
Allen remains the locked-in fantasy QB1, and James Cook's role as a dual-threat runner is likely to stay strong . . .
Ravens Tap a Rising Star
The Baltimore Ravens announced that Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter would be their new head coach last Thursday, replacing Harbaugh with a fast-rising coach with strong ties to the Harbaugh family.
Minter, 42, will be the fourth head coach in Ravens franchise history, succeeding Ted Marchibroda, Brian Billick, and Harbaugh, who was fired earlier this month.
This will be Minter's first time as a head coach at any level.
"I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens," Minter stated, via the team website. "This is an organization whose values, culture, and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played."
Minter was one of the league's most popular candidates in the hiring cycle, interviewing with the Falcons, Browns, Raiders, Dolphins, Steelers, and Titans, in addition to Baltimore.
First Things First
Minter's priorities will be to stop the Ravens from repeatedly underperforming in the playoffs and to connect with quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who is coming off one of his worst seasons. Minter's familiarity with Jackson dates to 2018, when the then-rookie worked with him as the scout team quarterback for the first half of that season.
Known for his leadership ability and cool-headed temperament, Minter becomes the first Ravens head coach whose expertise comes from defense.
The team's first two coaches -- Marchibroda and Billick -- were previously offensive coordinators, and Harbaugh was a longtime special teams coordinator before landing in Baltimore . . .
Re-Setting the Tone
Last season with the Chargers, Minter guided the NFL's fifth-ranked defense (285.2 yards per game). In 2024, his first season in Los Angeles, the Chargers led the league with the fewest points allowed (17.7 per game).
Traditionally known for their defense, the Ravens struggled to stop teams in 2025, ranking 24th as a unit (354.5 yards per game).
It's only the third time in the past 25 years that the Ravens' defense finished a season ranked 20th or worse . . .
The Big-Picture Goal
As a former Ravens assistant, Minter understands the culture in Baltimore.
He also realizes why he's there.
Since drafting Jackson in 2018, Baltimore has won 86 games, the third most in the NFL over that span. But in eight seasons with Jackson, Harbaugh managed only three victories in the postseason and never advanced the Ravens past the AFC Championship Game . . .
Job One
Minter's first challenge is getting two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson back on track. That means selecting a playcaller who can connect with and get the most out of the quarterback.
With Jackson producing a 6-7 record in his 13 starts last season, the Ravens scored fewer than 30 points in each of his last 10 starts, which is the longest single-season scoring drought of his eight-year career.
Minter may tab one of Baltimore's other head coaching candidates to become offensive coordinator: Former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury or Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb.
Jackson is going to be a high-value fantasy play, but his ceiling hinges on Minter's choice here . . .
Offensive Enough
It's not perfect continuity, but in Minter, the club hired someone who closely aligns with their previous direction.
But as BaltimoreRavens.com's Clifton Brown suggested, we shouldn't sell Minter's offensive acumen short.
"Defensive coordinators spend long hours devising schemes trying to stop players like Jackson and Derrick Henry," Brown wrote. "Minter will have ideas on how Jackson, Henry, and others can counter defenses designed to stop them."
The Ravens are counting on it . . .
Browns Make a Choice; Angst Ensues
The Cleveland Browns hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to be their next head coach on Wednesday. Monken, who turns 60 on Feb. 5, replaces Stefanski, who was fired on Jan. 5 after six seasons in Cleveland.
The Browns finished 5-12 this past season and have an 8-26 record since their last playoff appearance in 2023.
Monken becomes the club's 11th full-time coach since it returned to the NFL in 1999, which trails only the Las Vegas Raiders (13) during that span . . .
A Good Landing Spot?
Monken, who previously served as offensive coordinator of the Browns in the 2019 season on Freddie Kitchens' staff, was one of five candidates with whom the Browns held in-person interviews.
But at least two candidates -- former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski -- bowed out before a decision was made . . .
No Consolation Prize
Monken, a longtime assistant with more than three decades of experience in the college and NFL ranks, will embark on his first opportunity as an NFL head coach.
But he's not without experience.
He was the head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, registering a 13-25 regular-season record. He left to be the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he served in the role for the next three seasons.
Monken arrived in Baltimore after a successful three-year run as the offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia, where he contributed to the Bulldogs winning back-to-back national championships in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
In Monken's first season with the Ravens, he helped Jackson win his second Most Valuable Player award.
The following season, Baltimore finished with the No. 1 offense for the first time in franchise history . . .
The Challenge Ahead
In Cleveland, Monken will be tasked with rebuilding an offense that ranks last in scoring over the previous two seasons (15.8 points per game).
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees joined Stefanski's staff with the Falcons in the same role. Wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea is also joining the Kansas City Chiefs in the same capacity.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who led the head coaching search, said at his end-of-season news conference that the offense would have "significant investment" in the offseason . . .
The Biggest Question
Berry also said the new head coach will have a say in the decision at quarterback.
Deshaun Watson, who did not play in 2025 as he rehabbed a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in October 2024, is expected to be on the roster in 2026.
He would rejoin a quarterback room that also includes Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who started six and seven games, respectively, as rookies . . .
Personnel Is Necessary, But Coaching Helps
Monken will always be remembered for taking Jackson to new heights as a passer, especially in his first two seasons. In 2024, Jackson set career highs with 4,172 yards passing and 41 touchdown passes.
But ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reminded readers that Monken's success with Jackson overshadowed a highly productive running game.
Baltimore had the NFL's best rushing attack during his three seasons with the Ravens, averaging 166.9 yards per game. But there was criticism for Monken's lack of commitment to running the ball at critical times, most notably in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC Championship Game.
Monken publicly acknowledged after the 2025 season that he could have coached Jackson better, but he disputed reports that his relationship with the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player was strained.
Team sources tell Hensley that Monken and Jackson had chemistry issues last season. Monken's hard-driving coaching style didn't mesh with Jackson, one source told Hensley.
Despite all the drama surrounding their relationship, Monken was key in transitioning Jackson from a run-first quarterback to one of the league's most efficient passers.