The 2025 NFL coaching carousel has introduced a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers to head coaching positions. Here’s a ranking of the recent hires based on their potential impact and fit with their respective teams:
1. Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson was hands down the best head coaching candidate available this cycle. His impact as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions was undeniable, playing a massive role in their resurgence as one of the most explosive and creative offenses in the NFL. Under his play-calling, Jared Goff transformed into a highly efficient quarterback, the Lions’ offensive line dominated, and their ability to scheme open receivers made life easier for everyone on that side of the ball. His approach maximized players’ strengths, which is exactly what the Bears need right now.
Chicago made this hire with one goal in mind: unlocking Caleb Williams’ full potential. The expectation is that Johnson will tailor the offense around Williams’ skill set, similar to how he structured Detroit’s scheme around Goff’s strengths. Williams is far more talented than Goff, with a dynamic ability to create plays out of structure, but he’ll need refinement at the NFL level. This is something Johnson seems more than capable of handling. If the Bears finally hit on a franchise quarterback, it’ll be because of Johnson’s guidance. This hire has the potential to completely change the trajectory of the franchise.
2. Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars
Liam Coen was one of the more fascinating hires of this cycle. While the hiring process itself was a bit bumpy, there’s no denying Coen’s upside as a head coach. His offensive mind is top-tier, and he played a pivotal role in Tampa Bay’s success last season. The Buccaneers’ offense, under Coen, was a balanced, high-efficiency unit that got the most out of Baker Mayfield. If he could elevate Mayfield to a playoff-level QB, imagine what he can do with Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars are clearly betting on Coen being the guy to get the absolute best out of Lawrence, who has shown flashes of elite potential but hasn’t consistently put it all together yet with subpar talent around him and poor coaching. If Coen can refine Lawrence’s game, get him playing faster, and build an offensive system that plays to his strengths, this could be a franchise-altering hire. The concerns with Coen come from his lack of experience at this level. He’s never been a head coach before, and his only NFL coordinator experience has been in brief stints. However his offensive mind and ability to develop quarterbacks make this an extremely strong hire. Don’t let his jazzy “Duval” fool you, Liam Coen was one of the best head coach candidate around the league.
3. Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel landing back in New England just feels right. The former Titans head coach was one of the best available options, and while he didn’t have a great final season in Tennessee, his overall body of work speaks for itself. Vrabel is a fantastic motivator, an excellent defensive mind, and someone who builds a strong culture wherever he goes. The Patriots needed a leader to take over post-Belichick, and Vrabel fits the bill perfectly.
One of the best things about this hire is how well Vrabel has assembled his staff in New England. It’s clear he understands the importance of surrounding himself with the right personnel, something that’s often overlooked when evaluating coaching hires. His defensive mindset will bring toughness back to the Patriots, but the key will be how he handles the offensive side of the ball. The Patriots have their star young quarterback in Drake Maye, and adding an offensive mind to further his development may have been the preferable route. Vrabel’s tenure could be an uphill battle due to this. Still, if anyone can restore the Patriots’ former identity, it’s Vrabel.
4. Aaron Glenn – New York Jets
The New York Jets are getting an outstanding leader in Aaron Glenn. He has been a rising star in coaching circles, and his work as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator played a crucial role in transforming them into a playoff contender. Glenn’s impact extends beyond X’s and O’s—he’s a true culture builder, something the Jets have desperately needed. His experience as a former Jets player only strengthens the connection between him and the franchise, making this hire feel like a homecoming.
Glenn’s ability to inspire and command respect in the locker room should immediately help shift the culture in New York. He’s known for getting the most out of his players, developing young talent, and instilling a mentality that fits the tough and no-nonsense identity the Jets want to have. Glenn isn’t going to put up with anything, and moving on from Aaron Rodgers is proof of that.
The challenge yet again, will be the offensive side of the ball. The Jets have had defensive-minded head coaches for years and that pattern hasn’t served them well in the past. While Glenn’s leadership is a huge plus, his success will largely hinge on his offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and how the team builds around a new quarterback. If Engstrand can carry over any of the success Ben Johnson had in Detroit, Glenn has the potential to be a home-run hire for the Jets.
5. Kellen Moore – New Orleans Saints
Kellen Moore has been a hot name in coaching circles for years, and it was only a matter of time before he got a shot at a head coaching job. The Saints are rolling the dice on Moore’s offensive mind, which makes sense considering their continuous struggles on that side of the ball. His track record as a play-caller is impressive—he had top-tier offenses in Dallas, and while his stint with the Chargers had mixed results, the talent he had to work with was constantly hampered by injuries. However this past season Moore was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles put on a clinic all season and Moore was a large part of that.
The concerns with Moore aren’t about his football IQ but rather about his ability to be the main voice in a locker room. He’s never been a head coach before, and there have been questions about whether he has the commanding presence to lead a team effectively. Still, if Moore can establish a strong offensive identity in New Orleans and develop whoever ends up as the long term quarterback, this hire could pay off big time.
6. Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll coming back to coach in the NFL at 73 years old is fascinating. Realistically, this is a bridge hire. Carroll probably isn’t the long term solution for the Raiders, but he’s exactly the kind of coach who can lay the groundwork for a rebuild. He brings instant credibility to the locker room, he’s a fantastic motivator, and he knows how to create a winning culture.
The Raiders needed stability, and while Carroll’s age means he won’t be around forever, his experience and leadership should at least get the franchise moving in the right direction. Expect this to be a short-term tenure, but one that helps set the foundation for whoever takes over next. Considering the candidates available and the situation the Raiders are currently in, I believe this is a very strong hire and good decision. However, Carroll comes in low on these rankings as he is clearly not the coach they plan on being there for the long haul and there is little optimism that the Raiders will finish their rebuild and become competitors before Pete hangs it up.
7. Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas Cowboys
This one was surprising. Brian Schottenheimer was an in-house hire that didn’t seem like an obvious choice, and to be blunt, I don’t have high expectations for how this will turn out. Schottenheimer has bounced around as an offensive coordinator, and while he has plenty of experience, his track record isn’t exactly ideal.
The Cowboys had plenty of options in this coaching cycle, and it feels like they played it “safe” rather than going for a more exciting candidate. Maybe Schottenheimer proves everyone wrong and turns Dallas into a contender, but right now, this hire feels uninspired. With so many fantastic offensive minds out there available from Joe Brady to Kliff Kingsbury, the decision to elevate Brian was puzzling. On the bright side, this leaves plenty of incredible head coaching candidates to look forward to in next year’s cycle.
