INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Newly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers speaks to the media during a press conference at YouTube Theater on February 01, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/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 AFC teams head coach in 2024:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
