MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 16: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings leaves the field after beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/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 NFC 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
