With Kellen Moore accepting the position of New Orleans Saints’ next head coach, a head coaching cycle featuring seven openings concluded. Now that every opening has been filled, we will rank and break down the best situation for each of the seven new head coaches in 2025.
1. Bears-Ben Johnson: Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson comes in at number one on our best situation for first-year head coaches’ power rankings. Johnson is inheriting a Bears team that has assembled a roster that should be ready to compete immediately. Johnson gained significant traction because of how quickly he reversed the fortunes of the Detroit Lions offense.
Under the guidance of Johnson, the Lions morphed into one of the league’s most potent offenses over the past three seasons. In Chicago, Johnson is expected to have the same level of impact on quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears offense. On the defensive side, Johnson will be working with renowned defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to elevate a Bears defense that has the potential to become a dominant unit.
2. Patriots-Mike Vrabel: Mike Vrabel emerged as the most sought-after candidate for the recent head coaching cycle. But the former Titans head coach had his eyes set on one job only: the New England Patriots. Vrabel will take control of a Patriots team with the first major building block on the roster, quarterback Drake Maye. Vrabel will also have a projected $126 million salary cap space to upgrade a roster that needs impact players everywhere.
3. Jaguars-Liam Coen: Is Liam Coen the head coach who can guide Trevor Lawrence to play up to his potential? Coen will be Lawrence’s third head coach since becoming the Jaguars starting QB in 2021. When Coen was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator last year, Baker Mayfield went on to have career highs in touchdown passes, passing yards, completion percentage, and quarterback rating. This is an early observation, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jaguars compete for the AFC South title in 2025. I’m not expecting a deep playoff run in Coen’s first year, but the pieces are in place to become a competitive roster.
4. Jets-Aaron Glenn: Aaron Glenn is the culture builder that the Jets have severely lacked over the years to change the outlook of their franchise. His top priority will be establishing the same culture developed during his stay with the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton. However, not having a viable quarterback position prevents Glenn from being higher on the list. In February, the team announced they were moving on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
5. Saints-Kellen Moore: League analysts may view the Saint’s hiring of Kellen Moore as the worst situation for a first-time head coach to start his career. But the situation may not be as dire as it has been made out to be. Moore will work with an organization with a track record of being patient with head coaches despite the field results. With a roster that is getting older as the years go by, Saints fans must show patience as the much-needed rebuild takes place. On the positive side, the NFC South is still a winnable division, even for a team in such bad shape as New Orleans.
Related: Kellen Moore’s Offensive Imprint in New Orleans
6. Cowboys-Brian Schottenheimer: After not having the opportunity to interview top candidates such as Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, and Kellen Moore, the Cowboys opted to stay in-house and hire Brian Schottenheimer to become their next head coach. With a healthy Dak Prescott headed into 2025, will the Cowboys return to their contending ways in Schottenheimer’s first season? It’s highly possible, but the Cowboys need upgrades in key positions such as wide receiver, edge rusher, and running back. Also, being in a division with Jayden Daniels and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, does not make things easier.
7. Raiders-Pete Carroll: Even if the move is meant to be a stopgap, hiring Pete Carroll was right for the Raiders. The 73-year-old coach will usher in a hardworking culture that the team has lacked over the years. However, finding the right quarterback to steer the organization on the right path will be crucial.
Who Has the Best Shot at Success?
Ben Johnson appears to have the clearest path to immediate success among the seven new head coaches. The Chicago Bears offer a blend of young talent, an established defensive coordinator, and significant financial flexibility. Meanwhile, the Patriots with Mike Vrabel and the Jaguars with Liam Coen also present intriguing situations.
On the other end of the spectrum, Pete Carroll’s Raiders and Kellen Moore’s Saints face the biggest uphill battles. However, as we’ve seen in the NFL, the right mix of strategy, culture, and a little luck can quickly change a team’s fortunes.
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