Posted 3 days ago | By Seth Trachtman
The impact of NFL head coaches is arguably greater than any other major US sport. Heading into the 2025 season, these are the best head coaches ranked from first to worst.
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1. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
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There isn’t a more accomplished NFL resume among modern head coaches, short of Bill Belichick, than what Reid produced. Over 26 remarkable seasons in Philadelphia and Kansas City, he’s been to six Super Bowls, winning three, and made the playoffs 20 times. The Chiefs have also won the AFC West in nine consecutive seasons. Reid’s genius as an offensive designer and player caller is renowned across the league, and he’s also arguably the most well-liked coach in the NFL among players.
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2. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
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There’s seemingly nothing that can stop McVay’s success, having overcome Aaron Donald‘s retirement and a series of offensive injuries last year to make the playoffs for the sixth time in eight seasons. McVay’s early resume is terrific, including two Super Bowl berths and a ring in 2021. His offensive play-calling is already the stuff of legends, and his ability to get the most out of his talent has been clear.
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3. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
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Sirianni is on top of the world as a Super Bowl champ. His four-year resume is incredibly impressive, reaching the Super Bowl twice and making the playoffs in all four seasons despite coordinator turnover following the 2022 season. Of course, Sirianni has had the benefit of Howie Roseman‘s excellent roster, but his fiery attitude, willingness to take risks, and the nearly unstoppable “tush push” are more than enough to put him among the top coaches in the league.
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4. Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
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Long known as an offensive mastermind and quarterback whisperer, Payton is doing it again after drafting Bo Nix last year. Nix had a surprisingly outstanding rookie campaign, vaulting Denver back to the playoffs in only Payton’s second season in Denver. With an elite defense that Payton helped turn around and now their long-term quarterback, the Broncos are looking as dangerous as they have since Peyton Manning quarterbacked the team. Payton’s prior resume over 15 seasons in New Orleans speaks for itself, going 152-89 during the regular season with nine playoff appearances and a shocking Super Bowl victory in 2009 with the help of Drew Brees.
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5. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
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Harbaugh enters his 18th season in Baltimore with a very strong resume, with 12 playoff appearances, including six of the last seven seasons. His lone Super Bowl victory was back in 2012, and since then, playoff success has been somewhat fleeting. The rest of the AFC can say the same in recent seasons thanks to the Chiefs, but Harbaugh’s candidacy in Canton could depend on another Super Bowl run.
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6. Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
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It only took one season for Harbaugh to prove he’s still got it as an NFL head coach after a nine-year hiatus at Michigan. He led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and made the playoffs three times in four seasons during his first NFL tenure with San Francisco, and went 11-6 with a playoff berth in his first season as Chargers head coach in spite of some major personnel turnover. Being in a division with Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs makes the task more difficult, but Harbaugh appears very much up to the challenge.
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7. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
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As Tomlin enters his 19th season in Pittsburgh, he’s yet to have a losing season. The Steelers have also made the playoffs in 12 of their 18 years, with two Super Bowl berths and one victory in 2008. The fact that the team continues to be competitive in recent seasons in spite of pure quarterback mediocrity goes to show Tomlin’s coaching ability, but big changes are in store for 2025. The team has gone all-in with Aaron Rodgers and a host of other veterans as they try to get their first Super Bowl since 2016, and there are annual whispers about Tomlin going elsewhere. Reaching the bar of “just good enough” could be weighing on both Tomlin and diehard Steelers fans, so the rumors of an exit could continue if this season doesn’t go as the team hopes.
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8. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
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Campbell is the “it” coach in the NFL these days, marrying a “football guy” demeanor with analytically sound decision-making. The results speak for themselves so far, as the Lions have put an end to their losing ways with back-to-back playoff appearances. Now entering his fifth season, Campbell has turned around the Lions much faster than anyone expected, but 2025 is set to be his biggest challenge after losing his offensive and defensive coordinators. The next step on the mountain is playoff success, and the NFC appears relatively open for the taking if Campbell can overcome the offseason hits to his staff.
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9. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
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LaFleur is possibly the league’s most underrated coach, making the playoffs for the fifth time in six years last season. He’s been able to navigate an almost complete turnover of his roster, including the transition at quarterback from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. There’s no questioning LaFleur’s offensive prowess, though some credit must be given to the front office’s excellent talent evaluation. Like many head coaches in his tier, the only thing missing for LaFleur is playoff success.
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10. Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
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Carroll has a historic resume as a head coach both in college and the NFL. After his success at USC, Carroll coached 14 seasons in Seattle with two Super Bowl appearances (one win) and 10 playoff appearances. The Raiders are hoping the soon-to-be 74-year-old has some magic left in him, but the goal couldn’t be tougher in a loaded AFC West division with the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos.
