The NFL head coaching cycle had come to an end. Candidates such as Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were expected to take first-time jobs this offseason as other candidates such as Pete Caroll and Mike Vrabel enter their second stints at their new franchises. As a superfan, I want to grade these decisions from A to F.
Analyzing decisions made by NFL teams is always difficult as they know more than the average fan. Whether that’s week-to-week selections, draft grades, coaching hires, etc., there are always things in the NFL that never go to plan.
It’s easy to rank quarterbacks or wide receivers based on performance, but it is admittedly more complex with coaches. There are different metrics for measuring each’s success. Coaches don’t have direct performance stats, they are judged by team success, player development, and strategic impact. Simply put, great coaches may struggle with average teams, such as Bill Belichick after the Tom Brady era, and average coaches may look good with really good-looking teams, such as Mike McCarthy, during his Super Bowl win in Green Bay.
It does take a little bit for some coaches to gel into their teams. Most fans were calling for Dan Campbell to get fired after a few lackluster seasons in Detroit, but he turned it around, and now he’s one of the most praised in the league. Chip Kelly’s tenure in 2013 in Philadelphia seemed promising, but in three years, the whole fanbase was in shambles.
Last year, we saw Dan Quinn lead the Commanders to the NFC championship game in year one, but we also saw former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce and former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo get fired after one season. Ownership in the NFL is very impatient, so if you fail from the start, a coach’s job will presumably be more challenging.
It’s time to grade these seven organizations to lead their team in 2025. Will this get laughed upon in a year from now? Absolutely, but I want to have fun doing so, so let’s dive right into it.
Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson (A)
Miraculously, I believe Chicago has never found their coach. The Matt Eberflus experiment came crashing down after the Thanksgiving battle against the Lions, where he didn’t take a timeout in the final thirty seconds. Speaking of the Detroit Lions, their former Offensive Coordinator remains in the NFC North, this time leading their rival in Chicago. At only thirty-eight years old, Johnson is known for creative play calling, often using running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and even offensive linemen all over the field in different formations. He incorporates a lot of shift and motion, which is scary for any defensive playcaller. While wearing the blue in Detroit, he maximized the most with every running back he’s had. At one point, he made Jamaal Williams a top back in football, and the duo of “Sonic and Knuckles” (David Montgomrey and Jahymr Gibbs) put the NFL on blast with their creativity regarding their running style. He has shown the ability to adapt to the game, which is much needed for long-term success. The only knock on Ben Johnson is he’s inexperienced at the top level; he’s never gone to the Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator, and this is his first coaching job. How Johnson handles adversity in Chicago will be a mystery, as the franchise has had plenty of ups and downs throughout the years. Will he utilize most of what he has in Caleb Williams? How will he use his playmakers like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet? Johnson was the No.1 candidate in back-to-back coaching cycles for a reason. He didn’t want the Washington job because he disliked the ownership situation; now, look at them as near the top of the NFC. I think an A is a good grade because if anyone can put Chicago back on the winning path, it is Johnson. The staff is young in Chicago, but I think this is the time for them to flip a page and become one of the premier teams in the league.
Dallas Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer (D-)
The consensus is that the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer from Jerry Jones feels a little forced and desperate, and I couldn’t agree more. If there’s anyone in this year’s cycle that I believe may be gone in less than a year, it’s Schottenheimer. He may be a bridge hire for a bigger name, but I don’t like his decision to take over America’s team. He has a run-first philosophy, as the running back situation in Dallas is unclear. Rico Dowdle becomes a free agent. Do they decide to sign somebody in the free agency cycle, draft Ashton Jeanty early, or pick a prospect on day two? The answers are unclear for now, but what is clear is Dallas doesn’t have a primer playmaker outside of Ceedee Lamb; what will he do to address that problem? Schottenheimer excels in the play-action passing game. During his time as the offensive coordinator in Seattle, he utilized Russell Wilson to manipulate defenses by using run-fakes and opening up the passing lane. He is also known for his rich development of quarterbacks. As mentioned, he worked very well with Wilson and made Mark Sanchez look more than serviceable during his time in New York with the Jets. What concerns me with Schottenhiemer is that this is his first head coaching opportunity, and he just passed fifty years old. I’m not saying that isn’t good, but I thought a team, especially like Dallas, would go for some youth in this position and keep their rich tradition affirmative. Schottenheimer also is quite the conservative play-caller. He plays it safe and doesn’t take a lot of risks, and in this age of NFL football, that’s not what gets teams to the Super Bowl. He doesn’t adjust well against adversity, and that’s another trait you need to do well in the modern-day era. This has led to stagnant offenses having constant three-and-outs. He had some success in Seattle when having players like Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch do a lot of dirty work, but other than that, his time with the Jets, Rams, and Jaguars isn’t eye-popping by any means. This hire feels rushed, and I don’t like the fit for this one. Of course, Marty Shcottenheiemr is an all-time great when it comes to coaching. Can his son mirror his success? Giving this a D- feels suitable, but he had so many concerns and a coordinator that I’m unsure what he can do as a head coach. If he proves me wrong, so be it, but it’s a low grade for now.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Liam Coen (D)
I couldn’t tell you what was more wack, Liam Coen’s introductory press conference or the whole situation before he was hired with the abrupt firing of Trent Baalke. Nonetheless, Coen shouldn’t have been hired this cycle as candidates such as Joe Brady and Robert Saleh looked to be more viable options. Before his stint in Tampa Bay, Coen was a coordinator with the Rams and then the University of Kentucky, and based on that trajectory alone, I’m a little confused by all the hype brought to him. He’s an innovative play-caller, emphasizing the need for motion in his Offense. In his time in Los Angeles, he was one of the best at ensuring the play-action attack was substantial for success. He is also the main reason Will Levis was a highly touted prospect coming out of college. After Levis left Coen’s sight, everything went downhill for him. Coen orchestrates flexible and adaptable offenses, most recently seen last year in Tampa Bay, with a vibrant passing attack and a rushing unit that became better in every game they played. Coen’s offensive philosophy focuses on tempo and aggression, particularly in high-leverage situations. His offenses can push the pace and make defenses uncomfortable by speeding up the game and making quick decisions. With all this newfound success, I think a few of Coen’s past offenses have caused him problems in executing. Last year, they went to the playoffs in Tampa Bay in a very weak division, but his time with the Rams and Kentucky was subpar at best. He also has a relatively short track record as one of the main guys for an organization, which concerns me with how bad Jacksonville has been since their AFC Championship appearance back in 2017. His usage of the offensive line through the years hasn’t been good. Although Coen has good play designs, the lack of consistent protection can limit the effectiveness of his passing game. Sometimes, Coen over-relies on schemes rather than adjusting to the flow of the game, which is his most significant negative. He lacks alternative solutions when his offense or defense doesn’t play up to winning standards. He’s one of the better young minds in the sport, but Jacksonville jumped the gun when hiring a young and inexperienced coach like Coen. He wants stuff to go his way, and more times than not, that can lead to cracks down the road. He has good pieces on both sides, including Brian Thomas Jr., Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and more. The big question is, will he overtake the division and prove he was way above the D grade? Organizations should go with younger guys to build something special with their coaches, but the Jags may have jumped the gun with this one.
Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Carroll (B+)
The Raiders go in the older direction and hire seventy-three-year-old Pete Carroll to lead their franchise in 2025. He is one of the most successful head coaches of the current generation, leading Seattle to a Super Bowl XLVIII win and helping establish one of the best cultures in football through thick and thin. His always competitive philosophy has helped young players develop into stars. Those players included Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Bobby Wagner, all franchise cornerstones. He can connect with his players like no other, putting him above many of those coaches. He is very defensive-minded; having one of the best defensive players in football, such as Maxx Crosby, is a scary combination for the future of the AFC. His cover three defensive scheme popularized in Seattle is one of the best formations of all time, and now in Las Vegas, he has a chance to use it with Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, and Trevon Moehrig (barring he resigns), all young cornerstones in the Vegas defense. He promotes player loyalty and leadership better than most coaches. Carroll goes to a tough AFC West division as he goes against Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh six times in the 2025-2026 season. What concerns me about Carroll is he’s the oldest coach in the league. Carroll’s goal is to steer the Raiders in the right direction with their current talent rather than win the Super Bowl. He has a maximum of five to seven years in Vegas, when he can be competitive before returning to retirement. He has a conservative offensive philosophy; he loves to run the ball, and sometimes, it comes back to bite him. More times than not, he becomes stubborn as a coach, refusing to change what is best for the teams he’s coached previously. In addition to that, he’s very hit or miss when it comes to his draft day selections. He had great hits such as DK Metcalf and the whole “Legion of Boom” but also drafted Rashaad Penny amidst needing offensive line help. I still like this pickup for the Raiders. Carroll has been competitive. It may take some time, as they don’t have a well-constructed roster. The B+ grade is good despite Carroll’s age; the real question is, how long will it take for the Raiders to show signs of life in the AFC?
New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel (A)
If there’s going to be somebody to bring that scrappy Patriot way back to New England, it’s going to be Mike Vrabel. The fact that Tennessee fired Vrabel in early 2024 was a shock as the Titans stated they wanted to go in a different direction. As the AP Coach of the Year back in 2021, Vrabel brings a physical, disciplined, and no-nonsense approach to coaching. He led the Titans to multiple playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship Game berth in the 2019 season. He is a prominent culture builder and an excellent motivator who immediately gets the best out of his players. As a former linebacker and defensive coach, Vrabel has a strong defensive mind. His teams typically have disciplined, physical defenses that excel at stopping the run and making timely plays. He has powerful game management skills as he finds these loopholes, such as taking penalties to drain the clock that wound up looking silly at first but having an advantage towards the end. He’s never had an elite quarterback in his coaching time, but he got the most out of Ryan Tannehill, who was once a backup. After Vrabel, Tannehill was never as productive again. Vrabel has some downsides; most notably, his offensive creativity has sometimes lacked. He is very reliant, and in this current-day New England offense, I’m not 100% sure if being reliant on Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson is the best idea. Once Arthur Smith left to coach in Atlanta, the Offense they had built for years had fallen apart. He’s had some questionable coordinator picks throughout the years, but starting fresh down in New England should be something Vrabel would benefit from. His roster development may be an issue as well. Mainly, AJ Brown being traded was a culture shock and left Tennessee without a WR1. His decision-making in who to keep and who to bring in seems a little over the place occasionally, but if that doesn’t lead to problems for the Patriots, this may be a homerun hire. The A grade is well-deserving. Vrabel still has a lot left in the tank as a former player. Can New England overtake Buffalo as the cream of the crop in the AFC East? We shall wait and see.
New Orleans Saints: Kellen Moore (B-)
It felt that nobody wanted the Saints’ head coaching job because they were in a horrible spot with their roster and financial standing. The Saints are dead last in cap room, have had surprise retirements this offseason, such as Ryan Ramczyk, and don’t have much young talent. They needed somebody to come in and change this standing quickly, and many candidates were not fit for this role outside of Kellen Moore. He just won the Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles and is riding high. He has stints in Dallas and Los Angeles, where he has very high highs and low lows. But the former NFL quarterback has the opportunity to take over one of the most dysfunctional teams in modern sports. During 2021 in Dallas, Moore’s Offense led the NFL in total points and yards per game. His aggressive passing patterns and creative play designs generated big production from his Offense. In 2024, Moore’s philosophy changed as he became a run-dominant coordinator. Saquon Barkley rushed for two thousand yards in sixteen games on his way to becoming Offensive Player of the Year. He mixes this West Coast offense with an air raid attack, which generates success in every Offense he’s coached. He maximizes quarterback production as well. At times under Moore, Dak Prescott looked to be a top-five quarterback in football. Jalen Hurts won Super Bowl MVP under Moore’s Offense. Moore’s balanced offensive approach is his winning recipe, and what he can bring to New Orleans looks impressive. Moore does struggle with situational play-calling. If the run gets stuffed, he’s quick to utilize the passing attack. The other knock I have on Moore is his red-zone efficiency as a coordinator, which is not impressive. Before last season, in his stints with the Cowboys and Chargers, they were in the mid-twenties, below the league average. Kellen Moore has a good chance of becoming a great head coach in the league, but he’s a little all over the place. Compared to the final candidates the Saints had (Mike Kafka, Patrick Graham, Aaron Taylor), Moore is the best option. He gets some brownie points for being a Super Bowl-winning coordinator, so the B- grade is not the worst. Moore’s never been in charge; it’s a win if he can readjust the team from their projected direction.
New York Jets: Aaron Glenn (C)
I feel the most neutral on Aaron Glenn, primarily due to the fit. The Jets have continuously hired first-time head coaches, which is why they have the longest playoff drought in the NFL. Aaron Glenn, a former Jet, hopes to come into the fold and change this culture immediately. With all of the injuries the Lions defense suffered this year, most notably Aidan Hutchinson, Carlton Davis, and Alim McNeil, Aaron Glenn did everything he could to develop a strategy that kept them still in games. His ability to build talent draws players into coming to Detroit. His background as a former Pro Bowler allows him to develop defensive backs, most notably Kerby Joseph, an All-Pro in 2024. Glenn’s scheme is built on aggression, pressure, and physicality. He loves blitzing and dialing up creative pressures to disrupt quarterbacks. His defenses play fast and intensely, fitting Detroit’s gritty identity. He’s a high-energy coach who wants the best out of his players, and that’s what made him such an intriguing candidate not only for this year but for the last couple of coaching cycles; this time, he finally gets a job. His defenses have struggled against the pass in his time in Detroit. Despite his background as a defensive backs coach, his coverage schemes have often been exploited, particularly against top-tier quarterbacks. These defenses Glenn presents are either really good or bad, no in between; the lack of weak consistency has been an issue. Even the run defense struggled before drafting Aidan Hutchinson. Despite the improvement, his defenses have struggled in crucial short-yardage and red-zone situations. Glenn’s tactics must be consistent rather than unstable if the Jets want any success soon. This franchise is not used to winning, plain and simple. Glenn bleeds green and, given the right circumstances, can steer them on the right path. I can’t look past all the problems Detroit’s defense has had to give him a higher grade than a C. Glenn is a phenomenal leader with the intangibles to flip the Jets quickly. It all depends on whether he can get players and put them in spots where they can excel. Half of the AFC East have new coaches, and with a change of scenery, this new Jets team without Aaron Rodgers can float to the top.
