Fantasy Football Today Express: Coaching Changes Chaos!

Episode Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Jamey Eisenberg
Theme: In this episode, Adam and Jamey break down the major NFL coaching changes and discuss the fantasy football implications for key players and teams. The conversation zooms in on the future fantasy prospects impacted by new head coaches and offensive coordinators—especially the moves of Jim Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, Mike McDaniel, and Drew Petzing. The episode also dives into open coaching spots and speculates about dream hires.

Main Coaching Moves and Fantasy Fallout

1. Jim Harbaugh to the Giants

Discussion begins: [02:00]

• Overview: Jim Harbaugh is named head coach of the New York Giants.
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • Jamey Eisenberg: “I don't think so. I mean, you know, obviously if there was going to be a terrible head coach there, we would have been concerned about Jackson Dart and Cam Scatter Boo and Malik Neighbors, etc. I think everybody's excited about drafting these guys.” [02:42]
  • Dart, Neighbors, and Scadaboo are considered strong fantasy options regardless of the coaching change—a “locked in” top 10 QB, borderline first-round WR, and potential round-three RB, respectively.
  • Impact: Harbaugh is seen as an enhancement rather than a risk, keeping the value of Giants skill players intact, especially if the anticipated OC hire (Todd Monken) goes through.

2. Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta Falcons

Discussion begins: [03:36]

• Overview: Stefanski takes over as Falcons head coach.
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • Jamey Eisenberg: “I think you get an offensive minded coach there... Drake London could be a top five fantasy wide receiver... Bijan Robinson I think will do very well with Stefanski because we know the run game under Stefanski...” [03:36]
  • Drake London’s fantasy ceiling rises to “top 5 WR territory.”
  • Kyle Pitts’ role could increase if he stays on the roster—Stefanski’s usage of tight ends has been excellent historically.
  • Bijan Robinson seen as a potential RB1 overall, thanks to a proven Stefanski ground game.
  • Notable tight end stats: Cleveland tight ends saw consistent red zone and yardage success under Stefanski every year since 2020.
  • Adam Aizer: “Stefanski; great with tight ends. In 2020, Cleveland tight ends had nine touchdowns... 2025, 10 touchdowns... great track record there.” [04:36]

3. Mike McDaniel to Los Angeles Chargers

Discussion begins: [05:31]

• Overview: Mike McDaniel brings his innovative Dolphins offense to L.A. with Justin Herbert.
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • Jamey Eisenberg: “It's going to be fun... you have a creative play-caller with a great set of skill players... Justin Herbert’s a much better quarterback and certainly much better passer than Tua.” [05:31]
  • Herbert’s stock moves into the top 6–7 QB range; he wasn’t even in Jamey’s top 12 until this move.
  • Martin Hampton (RB) projects as a “borderline first-round pick.”
  • Ladd McConkey (WR) sits just outside the top 12, but inside the top 15 fantasy wide receivers.
  • Tight end Gaston now “a top 12” fantasy option.
  • System expected to create upside and versatility similar to Miami’s (explosive run and pass games).
  • Memorable moment: “Now McDaniel is going to go to the Chargers and work with Justin Herbert. It's poetic and... painful for Miami fans.” – Adam Aizer [08:02]

4. Drew Petzing to Detroit Lions (Offensive Coordinator)

Discussion begins: [05:31]

• Overview: Petzing becomes OC for the Lions, leaving Arizona.
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • The hire viewed as underwhelming (“uninspiring”), but Petzing’s track record of maximizing production is highlighted.
  • Jared Goff should fare well—Petzing did a lot with limited personnel in Arizona.
  • Receivers and Sam LaPorta (TE) stand to benefit; Jameer Gibbs (“a stud”) should remain productive.
  • Arizona’s committee RB situation contrasted with Detroit’s more stable usage; expectation is that Gibbs and Montgomery remain valuable.

Other Notable Hires

Mentioned at [04:36]:

• Jeff Hafley to Miami (defensive coach)
• Robert Saleh to Tennessee (defensive coach)

Speculation: Open Coaching Positions & Dream Hires

Segment begins: [09:00]

• Current NFL job openings include: Arizona, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh.
• Jamey Eisenberg: “I think Dable goes to Buffalo... Josh Allen is making this hire as much as anybody in Buffalo... a lot of Josh Allen’s success came with Dable.” [09:20]
• Desire to see Chris Shula land a job, ideally bringing some Rams offensive ideas with him.
• Speculation that Flores could bring over offensive talent if hired in Pittsburgh.
• Many positions depend on QB outlooks (e.g., Arizona and Pittsburgh are unsettled).
• Jamey Eisenberg: “Some of the teams we're talking about here don’t have quarterbacks, so there’s still a lot of things that have to be determined in terms of what the right marriage will be.” [10:32]

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “Harbaugh just, I think, enhances it... Dart's got a top 10, maybe borderline top five quarterback profile. Malik Neighbors, borderline first round pick.” – Jamey Eisenberg [02:57]
• “Bijan to me is either one or two depending on what happens with Detroit in terms of their offensive personnel... both those guys, Bijan, Gibbs, top two guys.” – Jamey Eisenberg [04:07]
• “In Miami... Tuatanga Vailoa one year under Mike McDaniel led the NFL in passing yards... and we think we'd all agree that Justin Herbert’s a much better quarterback and certainly much better passer than Tua.” – Jamey Eisenberg [05:47]
• “I think it's fine for the Lions guys. I'm not gonna panic, okay.” – Jamey Eisenberg [07:56]
• “Now McDaniel is going to go to the Chargers and work with Justin Herbert. It's poetic and... painful for Miami fans.” – Adam Aizer [08:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:00] – Harbaugh to Giants; fantasy value impacts
• [03:36] – Stefanski to Atlanta; implications for London, Pitts, Bijan
• [04:36] – Stefanski’s tight end track record; quick mentions of defensive hires, Petzing and McDaniel OC assignments
• [05:31] – Deep dive on McDaniel (Chargers) and Petzing (Lions)
• [08:02] – McDaniel/Herbert story and Miami fan perspective
• [09:00] – Open jobs and dream scenarios (Daboll to Buffalo, Shula attention)
• [10:32] – Wrapping up with QB uncertainty in open jobs

Tone & Style

• Analytical, upbeat, and football-nerd-friendly with casual banter and insight on fantasy football value trajectories.
• Speaker attributions maintained with direct quotes.

Summary:
This FFT Express episode is an indispensable listen for fantasy managers seeking an edge from this offseason’s coaching carousel. The hosts paint a promising picture for players in New York, Atlanta, LA, and Detroit while offering thoughtful speculation about the coaching dominoes yet to fall. With Harbaugh, Stefanski, McDaniel, and Petzing reshaping team identities, the fantasy landscape for 2026 is already full of intrigue and potential.