INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts after a 24-6 victory against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The right head coach can make all the difference in whether or not a team is successful from year to year. So, here are the grades for each teams head coach in 2024:
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 26: Detail view of an Arizona Cardinals logo during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Grade: C
Arizona took a nice step up this season. They still need to surround Kyler Murray with more receiving weapons.
Raheem Morris–Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 18: A close up of an Atlanta Falcons logo prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Grade: C-
Falcons owner Arthur Blank can’t be thrilled with what he saw as Atlanta should have been a playoff team but came up short in the end.
John Harbaugh–Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 31: A general view of the Baltimore Ravens logo during training camp at M&T Bank Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Grade: B+
Consistently does a good job but consistently can’t make it back to the Super Bowl.
Sean McDermott–Buffalo Bills
Grade: A-
Beating Kansas City during the regular season is nice, but McDermott is going to have to figure out a way to beat them in the playoffs.
Dave Canales—Carolina Panthers
Grade: C+
Fixing Bryce Young immediately gives Canales a passing grade. Fixing this defense in 2025 will make him an honor-roll student.
Matt Eberflus (Ben Johnson)—Chicago Bears
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 26: The Chicago Bears “C” logo at the North end of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears football team in Chicago on November 26, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Eberflus fell victim to the Hard Knocks curse; Ben Johnson will be a huge upgrade.
Zac Taylor– Cincinnati Bengals
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 15: A detail view of a Cincinnati Bengals logo during an offseason workout at Paycor Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Grade: C-
Cincinnati was arguably the best team to miss out on the playoffs. The team finished strong, which gives Taylor a reprieve, but if they miss out again next season, his job will be in jeopardy.
Kevin Stefanski—Cleveland Browns
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 8: A detailed view of a Cleveland Browns logo against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 8, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 14-3. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Grade: D
Waited too long to pull the plug on a terrible Deshaun Watson, giving his team no chance to compete.
Mike McCarthy–Dallas Cowboys (Brian Schottenheimer)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 28: A detail shot of the Dallas Cowboys logo painted at midfield prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Couldn’t come to an agreement on a new contract. Schottenheimer will be the new Jerry Jones pawn.
Sean Payton—Denver Broncos
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of the Denver Broncos logo on the sidelines during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Grade: A
Payton did a remarkable job with a rookie QB and a young team. Lots of mile-high aspirations in the Mile High City.
Dan Campbell—Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 19: The Detroit Lions logo is pictured during the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field on August 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Grade: A-
Detroit disappointed in the playoffs after an amazing regular season, but let’s not forget that more than half of their defensive starters were on IR.
Matt LaFleur—Green Bay Packers
IRVING, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Tackle Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers with a #21 sticker on his helmet for Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins during play with the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 29, 2007 in Irving, Texas (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Grade: B
Green Bay plays solid football, but Lafleur needs to open up the offense more to get to the next level.
DeMeco Ryans—Houston Texans
Grade: B+
After a disappointing regular season with a ton of major injuries, Ryans had the Texans competing in the playoffs, almost pulling off the upset of Kansas City.
Shane Steichen—Indianapolis Colts
INDIANAPOLIS – DECEMBER 22: Indianapolis Colts logo at mid-field at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team on December 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Grade: D+
The supposed quarterback whisperer has not made in-roads with Anthony Richardson and is on the hot seat.
Doug Pederson—Jacksonville Jaguars (Liam Coen)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 27: A Jacksonville Jaguars logo is seen at TIAA Bank Field during a game against the Chicago Bears on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Jacksonville played defense like they didn’t care for most of the season. Coen should be a nice upgrade.
Andy Reid—Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 29: A detail of the Kansas City Chiefs logo on a helmet prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Grade: A+
He’s going for the three-peat. No need to say more.
Antonio Pierce—Las Vegas Raiders (Pete Carroll)
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Just didn’t have enough X’s and O’s knowledge and needed to be replaced if the team wanted to thrive.
Jim Harbaugh—Los Angeles Chargers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: A general view of the Los Angeles Chargers logo in the end zone from an elevated position before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Grade: A
Their playoff performance was disheartening, but Harbaugh improved the Chargers on both sides of the ball, and the team looks primed for the future.
Sean McVay—Los Angeles Rams
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 25: A detail view of a Los Angeles Rams logo on a sign during training camp on July 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Grade: B+
Los Angeles showed huge improvement on defense and his offensive schemes give them a chance to win each week.
Mike McDaniel—Miami Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of the Miami Dolphins throwback logo midfield prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Grade: D
So much talent with so little to show for it. How can they not have a proper backup for when Tua went down? He’s on the hot seat in 2025.
Kevin O’Connell—Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 18: A general view of the Minnesota Vikings’ logo on the 50 yard line during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints on December 18, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Grade: A
Can honestly say he did the most with the hand he was dealt. Looking forward to seeing him work with J.J. McCarthy.
Jerrod Mayo—New England Patriots (Mike Vrabel)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 08: A detail of the New England Patriots logo on the field during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Overmatched as a head coach. Kraft knew he needed to hire Vrabel to get back to the playoffs some time this decade.
Dennis Allen/Darren Rizzi—New Orleans Saints
Grade: F
Kellen Moore looks like he will be hired to fix this mess. GM Mickey Loomis hasn’t had a good draft in five seasons.
Brian Daboll—New York Giants
Grade: D-
Daboll was this close to getting fired. Needs to get the ball into Nabers’ hands way more than he did. Always looks perpetually annoyed at everything.
Robert Salah/Jeff Ulbrich—New York Jets (Aaron Glenn)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 9: A close up of a New York Jets logo prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Grade: F
Saleh got the hook too early in the season, but the Jets were a sinking ship anyway.
Nick Sirianni—Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 17: A generic view of the Philadelphia Eagles logo against the Cleveland Browns during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Browns tied the Eagles 18-18. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Grade: A+
Has created a culture of winning in Philadelphia. The team was the best overall in the NFL.
Mike Tomlin—Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C-
Steelers fans are tired of making the playoffs; they want championships. Tomlin is a leader of men, but it might be time for him to find a new address.
Kyle Shanahan—San Francisco 49ers
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 17: A detail view of a San Francisco 49ers logo is seen on a helmet in action during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Grade: B-
Hard to blame him for the myriad of injuries they suffered this season.
Mike McDonald—Seattle Seahawks
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 29: The Seattle Seahawks throwback logo is seen on the football field at Lumen Field before the game against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Grade: B
Fired OC Ryan Grubb after the season ended to get Seattle back to a more run-first scheme and the ball out of Geno Smith’s hands. The defense improved dramatically as the season went on.
Todd Bowles—Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: C
Still makes head-scratching calls at the most important times. Will be interested to see if the offense continues to thrive without Liam Coen.
Brian Callahan—Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 27: The Tennessee Titans logo at the 50-yard line prior to NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Nashville, . (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Grade: D
Tennessee looked overmatched in virtually every game. Didn’t get anything out of Will Levis which was a major disappointment. On the hot seat going into 2025.
Dan Quinn—Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: A general view of the Washington Commanders logo on the stadium concourse before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Grade: A+
Led the most improbable comeback for a franchise that was down and out. The future looks bright in DC, and Quinn is a huge part of that.
