While the 2021 NFL season is still a month away, it’s never too early to look ahead. Fanbases will argue day and night about who has the better team. Instead of debating the entire roster, why not debate positions? In the 11th part of a 12-part series, I will rank each team’s coaching staff. These rankings are a combination of what the coaches have done over the entirety of their career, how they performed last season and projecting how they will be this upcoming season.
Be sure to check out all of Moran’s NFL Positional Rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid, Eric Bieniemy, Steve Spagnuolo, and Dave Toub easily make for the best coaching staff in football. Reid has been special for the Chiefs ever since the organization hired him in 2013. He has helped develop Patrick Mahomes into a special quarterback. Reid is a Super Bowl 54 champion. Bieniemy is one of the better offensive coordinators in the league. Since being hired in 2019, Spagnuolo has been instrumental in turning the Chiefs’ defense around. Toub is widely respected as one of the best special teams coaches in the league. These four will lead the Chiefs to a big 2021 season.
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2. New England Patriots
Despite a down 2020 season, Bill Belichick is still amongst the best head coaches in football. After an offseason overhaul to the roster, expect Belichick to come back and have an improved season. Josh McDaniels is one of the top offensive coordinators in football. With a better group of talent this year, anticipate this unit playing better. Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick will both coordinate the Patriots’ defense in 2021. This staff is still top-caliber.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending Super Bowl champions will be returning an exceptional coaching staff. Bruce Arians, Byron Leftwich, and Todd Bowles will be leading the Buccaneers in 2021. Arians is a strong leader with a talented offensive mind. Leftwich has done a great job of calling the plays offensively. The last two years, Bowles has done a fantastic job of turning the Buccaneers’ defense round. These three head into 2021 right with the best in the league.
4. New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton has had an incredibly long run with the Saints. He turned around a lost franchise, won a Super Bowl, and has built a consistent winner. Payton has a creative offensive scheme. He runs the offense with long time coordinator, Pete Carmichael. Even without Drew Brees, expect Payton and Carmichael to lead the Saints’ offense to a solid season. Since returning to the Saints and taking over the defense, Dennis Allen has been remarkable. Allen is a pivotal part of the Saints’ four straight playoff appearances.
5. Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh is now entering his 14th year as the Ravens head coach. Harbaugh is a Super Bowl winner. He has been a special head coach for the Ravens. Greg Roman will be running the Ravens offense for the third straight year. He has done a tremendous job designing the offensive scheme. Don Martindale is back for his fourth year as the Ravens defensive coordinator. Martindale is one of the better defensive play-callers in the game. Harbaugh also has a background in special teams. The Ravens always have a respectable special teams unit.
6. Buffalo Bills
The Bills head into the 2021 season with three very established and respected football coaches. Since being hired by the team in 2017, Sean McDermott has brought instant credibility to the Bills. Under his leadership, the Bills ended a long playoff drought and have made the playoffs three out of his four years. McDermott is one of the main reasons why the Bills have a chance to win the Super Bowl this season. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is back for his fourth season with the team. Daboll has done a great job running the Bills offense. Leslie Frazier runs the Bills defense with McDermott. Frazier has been great in leading this unit to success the last few years.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin has been one of the best head coaches in football for a long time. Tomlin is a Super Bowl-winning head coach. He has never recorded a losing season as the Steelers head coach. This offseason, Matt Canada was promoted to offensive coordinator. This unit has some concerns but also young talent at the skill positions. It will be worth watching how this offense executes under Canada. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler is back with the Steelers and now entering his seventh season leading the group. Expect this Butler-led unit to remain successful.
8. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have one of the best head coaches in football in Sean McVay. McVay is now entering year five with the Rams with a great chance of getting back to the Super Bowl. He has great leadership ability along with a talented offensive mind. Kevin O’Connell will be coordinating the offense alongside McVay for the second year in a row. This offseason, Raheem Morris was hired to be the defensive coordinator. The Rams defense is still a talented group that Morris should keep toward the top of the league.
9. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan is a great head football coach. He has led the 49ers to a Super Bowl. With Shanahan, the 49ers have a chance of making it back and winning. Shanahan runs a very dynamic offense and is a proven leader. This offseason, Mike McDaniel was promoted and received the offensive coordinator title. It will be interesting to see how Shanahan and McDaniel make this offense work together. In the offseason, DeMeco Ryans was promoted to be the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. It will be fascinating to see how he does in his first year.
10. Green Bay Packers
Over his first two years, Matt LaFleur has been an amazing head coach for the Packers. His offense last year was incredibly successful. Under LaFleur, expect another Super Bowl run from the Packers in 2021. Nathaniel Hackett runs things offensively with LaFleur. In the offseason, Joe Barry was hired to be the Packers defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see what he can bring to this unit.
11. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll has had an incredible run as the Seahawks head coach. He is a Super Bowl champion. This season is a crucial one for Carroll and the Seahawks. Entering this offseason, the Seahawks were looking for a new offensive coordinator. The team ended up hiring Shane Waldron. What Waldron ends up doing with this offense will be fascinating to watch. Ken Norton Jr. is now entering his fourth season as the defensive coordinator of the Seahawks. This group is not as talented as it has been in the past. What Norton can get out of this unit will be interesting to see.
12. Cleveland Browns
As a first-year head coach, Kevin Stefanski was unbelievable. He turned the culture of the franchise around immediately. Stefanski also runs a great offensive system. This season should be even better for Stefanski. Alex Van Pelt helps run the offense with Stefanski. Joe Woods is entering his second season as the Browns defensive coordinator. This year, the talent on this defense is much better. It should lead to better execution from Woods’ unit.
13. Washington Football Team
In year one, Ron Rivera did a stellar job turning Washington around. Rivera is a great leader and proven winner. In 2021, he is one of the main reasons Washington has a very good chance to be successful. Entering his second season with the team as the offensive coordinator is Scott Turner. This year, the skill position talent is much improved so expect Turner to do a good job. Jack Del Rio is the defensive coordinator for Washington. Del Rio has a great track record. Last season, he did a tremendous job with this defense. In 2021, expect him to be even better with more talent.
14. Tennessee Titans
Going into his fourth season leading the Titans is Mike Vrabel. Since taking the Titans over, he has had three winning seasons and two playoff appearances. With new talent added, anticipate another exceptional year from Vrabel. The Titans’ new offensive coordinator is Todd Downing. He enters a great situation with the skill position talent the Titans possess. In the offseason, Shane Bowen was promoted to defensive coordinator. This unit has to be better.
15. Miami Dolphins
Brian Flores had had a very good start over his first two years as the Dolphins head coach. Flores is a great leader and motivator with a strong defensive mind. In the offseason, George Godsey and Eric Studesville were promoted. They will both have an integral role in the Dolphins’ offense. Josh Boyer is the Dolphins defensive coordinator. Expect Flores and Boyer to work together and lead this Dolphins defense to another respectable season.
16. Indianapolis Colts
Going into his fourth year as the Colts head coach is Frank Reich. So far, he has done very good things in the role making two postseason appearances. Reich runs a good offensive system. In the offseason, Marcus Brady was promoted to be the Colts offensive coordinator. Brady will work alongside Reich running it. Matt Eberflus is back as the defensive coordinator after a very successful season. Expect Eberflus to lead this unit to another great year.
17. Minnesota Vikings
Mike Zimmer is a respectable head coach. Last year was disappointing, but his defenses are usually successful. Expect him to get his unit to play better this season. This offseason, Klint Kubiak was promoted to be the Vikings offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how Kubiak does. Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer will both have major roles in running this defense.
18. New York Giants
As a first-year head coach, Joe Judge did a solid job. There is a great reason for optimism moving forward for the Giants with Judge. He has leadership qualities. Jason Garrett will be returning as the offensive coordinator this season. Garrett will have a better group of skill-position talent this season. It will be important for him to take this offense to the next level. Patrick Graham will also be in his second year with the Giants as their defensive coordinator. Last season, Graham did an exceptional job. Expect another stellar season from his unit.
19. Dallas Cowboys
In year two, it will be important for Mike McCarthy to get more out of this football team. McCarthy has a proven track record. He has a talented roster to work with. Kellen Moore will be running the Cowboys’ offense. This offensive attack has all the talent to be amongst the best. In the offseason, Dan Quinn was hired to be the defensive coordinator. Quinn has his work cut out for him as this group struggled a ton last season. Quinn is capable of getting the job done. The Cowboys have a great special teams coach in John Fassel.
20. New York Jets
This offseason, the Jets made a big-time hire in Robert Saleh. Saleh has great leadership ability. He is the ultimate motivator who shows his passion. Saleh is also a talented defensive coach. Along with Saleh, Mike LaFleur was hired to be the offensive coordinator. LaFleur brings great excitement with the scheme he will be coordinating. Saleh brought Jeff Ulbrich in to be the defensive coordinator. The two have worked together before. Brant Boyer is back as the special teams’ coach. This is now the third different coaching staff Boyer has been with on the Jets. He has done great things.
21. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are entering year two under head coach Matt Rhule. There is a great reason for the excitement surrounding the Panthers with Rhule. He did some good things last year and the team added talent in the offseason. Offensive coordinator, Joe Brady is back with the Panthers. Brady is a young coach with great potential. He showed some signs of encouragement a year ago. Under Brady, this offense should continue to grow. Phil Snow is entering year two as the defensive coordinator. His unit is a young one with the potential to take a step forward.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
In the offseason, the Chargers made a very exciting head coaching hire in Brandon Staley. Staley is a young coach who has worked his way up the ranks very fast. He led the Rams defense last year and they were the best in football. Expect Staley to turn the Chargers around. Joe Lombardi was hired to be the offensive coordinator. He brings optimism to the Chargers’ offense. Renaldo Hill was hired to be the defensive coordinator. Staley and Hill have a chance to build a successful defense with some of the talent already in place.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Jon Gruden is entering a pivotal fourth year as the Raiders head coach. Over the last two years, the Raiders have shown improvement but have failed to make the playoffs. In 2021, Gruden must get his team into the postseason. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson will be running the unit with Gruden. This offense attained some great success a year ago. Hopefully, it continues. The Raiders’ defense struggled greatly last season. In the offseason, Gus Bradley was hired. He has done some good things as a defensive coach in the past. Ideally, for the Raiders, Bradley improves this unit to a respectable level.
24. Chicago Bears
Matt Nagy is entering a big year as the Bears head coach. He has made two playoff appearances in three years. However, over the last two seasons, the team has been wildly inconsistent. His team needs to have a better year. Bill Lazor is the Bears offensive coordinator. He and Nagy will work together to improve their unit. This offseason, Sean Desai was promoted to be the Bears’ defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see where his unit ranks.
25. Denver Broncos
Entering his third year as the Broncos head coach is Vic Fangio. Fangio needs to deliver a winning season. He is a great defensive-minded football coach. The Broncos’ defense is extremely talented. Hopefully, it leads to more wins for Fangio. Pat Shurmur is back as the offensive coordinator. Outside of quarterback, this unit has what it takes to be very good. Shurmur has to do his part to make things easy on whoever the signal-caller is. Long-time NFL coach, Ed Donatell is the defensive coordinator of the Broncos. Donatell and Fangio should have this unit toward the top of football.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury is entering a very important third year with the Cardinals. In year two, he made some progress as a head coach. In 2021, Kingsbury has to continue to make strides as a leader and play-caller. Sean Kugler will work alongside Kingsbury coordinating the Cardinals’ offense. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph did some good things last season. Joseph will have an even more talented unit this season and should continue to improve this group for the Cardinals.
27. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons hired Arthur Smith to be their next head coach this offseason. Over the last two years, Smith did some very impressive things as an offensive coordinator. Dave Ragone will be running the Falcons offense with Smith. Dean Pees will be the defensive coordinator. This defense is filled with unknowns so it will be interesting to see what Pees gets from this group.
28. Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell is in his first year as the Lions head coach. So far, Campbell has brought an energy and excitement to a Lions franchise that has struggled. It will be interesting to see how year one goes for him. Anthony Lynn was hired as the offensive coordinator. Lynn has a very exciting offensive line to build his unit around. The Lions hired Aaron Glenn to be their defensive coordinator this offseason.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars made a big splash this offseason hiring Urban Meyer as their next head coach. Meyer has had some great success in the past. It will be interesting to see if he can eventually turn the Jaguars around. Meyer hired Darrell Bevell to be the offensive coordinator. What Bevell can get out of this offense with Trevor Lawrence early on will be worth following. The defensive coordinator will be Joe Cullen.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Entering his third year, Zac Taylor needs to deliver for the Bengals. His first two years have been frustrating. Last season, the team was competitive at times but struggled to finish. In 2021, Taylor must win more games. Brian Callahan is the offensive coordinator. He will work with Taylor to make this young and talented offense successful. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has to have his unit improve this year.
31. Houston Texans
In the offseason, the Texans hired David Culley to be their head coach. The search was a long one for the Texans so how Culley performs early on will be worth noting. It is a tough situation with a lack of talent for him to be entering. The offensive coordinator will be Tim Kelly. Lovie Smith is the defensive coordinator. Neither Kelly nor Smith have great talent to work with.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Similar to the Texans, the Eagles had a long head coaching search early in the offseason. They ended up hiring Nick Sirianni. He is taking over a team that looks to be rebuilding. It will be interesting to see what type of leadership he can bring. Shane Steichen is the offensive coordinator. He will be working with Sirianni. The defensive coordinator will be Jonathan Gannon.
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