As the 14 playoff-bound teams set their sights on a Super Bowl title, the rest of the teams in the NFL are already on to the 2026 season.
With six teams already looking for new coaches, this month will require several top assistants on playoff teams to balance in both worlds.
The New York Giants, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Cleveland and Arizona have already fired their head coach, setting off searches for replacements that will include playoff-bound assistants.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll jogs on the field during a timeout in the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jan. 4, in Las Vegas.
The NFL has strict rules on when — and how long — those coaches can talk to other teams while their seasons are still alive. Here's a look at some of the protocols in place for the coaching searches.
When can the interviews begin?
Teams can start interviewing candidates not employed by another organization as soon as they have an opening. But for coaches employed by other teams, the process is more formal.
Teams were able to start making interview requests for coaches under contract to another team beginning Monday.
For teams that didn't make the playoffs, their coaches can be interviewed virtually three days after their final game — Tuesday for coaches on Tampa Bay, or Wednesday for any other non-playoff team.
The process is different for assistants on playoff teams. For the two teams with a bye, those virtual interviews can be held this week with Seattle's assistants available starting Tuesday and Denver's on Wednesday. Those interviews can be conducted through wild-card weekend and are limited to three hours in length.
For assistants coaching on wild-card weekend, they can have a virtual interview of up to three hours beginning Jan. 13, except for coaches on Houston and Pittsburgh, who must wait until Jan. 14 because they play Monday night.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, left, confers with general manager Joe Schoen before an NFL football game, Oct. 19, in Denver.
What comes next?
In-person interviews with assistants who are under contract with other teams can begin on Jan. 19, unless those teams are still alive for the conference title games.
Those coaches must wait until Jan. 26, when either they were eliminated from the playoffs or have a bye week before the Super Bowl. Coaches on the Super Bowl teams are allowed to be interviewed through Feb. 1 but are forbidden from talking to other teams after that until Feb. 9, the day after the Super Bowl.
Coaches on the Super Bowl teams are not allowed to interview in person with other teams during the bye week if they hadn't done an initial virtual interview earlier in January.
No coach can either sign a contract or agree to sign a contract until their season is completed.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, right, hugs head coach Raheem Morris after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Jan. 4, in Atlanta.
What's the Rooney Rule?
Teams must abide by the Rooney Rule, which was first implemented in 2003 to boost minority hiring. Before hiring a new head coach, teams are required to conduct in-person interviews with at least two diverse — minority or female — candidates who don't currently work for the team.
The rules are the same for all coordinator positions, and clubs must interview one diverse candidate for any quarterback coach job.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell and General Manager Monti Ossenfort acknowledge the media after firing head coach Jonathan Gannon, Jan. 5, in Tempe, Ariz.
What about GMs?
The rules are a little different for interviewing candidates for general manager. Teams could start seeking permission on Monday to interview candidates from other organizations who weren't the primary decision maker.
Teams must conduct in-person interviews of at least two minority or women candidates from outside the organization to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
A GM candidate from a team in the playoffs can accept the job before their season is over if their current team provides written permission.
Top photos from Week 18 of the NFL season
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) runs for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) to set an NFL record for sacks in the regular season during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, escapes pressure from Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) celebrates after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
An Atlanta Falcons fan celebrates in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'oto'o (39) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (24) commits pass interference near the goal line against New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis (11) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) makes a catch for first down against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) fails to make a catch in front of Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Jacksonville Jaguars place-kicker Cam Little (39) celebrates his 67-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback Sam Webb during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) and linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, right, is tackled Seattle Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, left, talks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Deven Thompkins (83) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) scores a touchdown as he is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) makes a catch for a touchdown over Tennessee Titans safety Sanoussi Kane, below, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Sam Webb celebrates after returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
An Atlanta Falcons fan cheers in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) pulls in a touchdown pass that was called back on a penalty in the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs around the tackle attempt from Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
