Grading Every 2025 New NFL Head Coaching Hire
The NFL coaching carousel has once again delivered a mix of inspiring, questionable, and head-scratching hires. With the offseason here for most teams, let’s look at the teams that made the right moves—and those that may regret their decisions sooner rather than later.
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys: Grade F
The Cowboys completely botched this hiring process. After dragging their feet and missing out on their top targets, Dallas settled on Brian Schottenheimer—a move that is almost impossible to justify as an upgrade from Mike McCarthy. Schottenheimer, who was already in the building as a non-play-calling offensive coordinator, is an uninspiring hire that raises serious concerns about Jerry Jones' ability to put together a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Given the names the Cowboys were targeting, including Deion Sanders and Bill Belichick, this feels like a massive missed opportunity.
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars: Grade C+
The Jaguars' decision to fire Doug Pederson while keeping GM Trent Baalke awhile longer before eventually firing him, hampered their ability to land a top coaching candidate. That being said, Liam Coen has intriguing potential. He did excellent work with Baker Mayfield and comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree however, his track record as an NFL offensive coordinator is mixed, including a season where the Rams finished dead last in yardage. Coen’s primary task will be elevating Trevor Lawrence from a disappointing No. 1 overall pick to a true franchise quarterback. The defense still needs major improvements, and the key will be how Coen assembles his coaching staff. If things fall into place, this hire could look much better in hindsight, but there are plenty of question marks.
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears: Grade A
Chicago nailed this hire. Ben Johnson was the most coveted head coaching candidate this cycle, and for good reason. He’s one of the most talented play-callers in the NFL, though it remains to be seen if he can translate that into head coaching success. The Bears have built a solid foundation starting with Caleb Williams at quarterback, and Johnson’s offensive acumen should accelerate his development. His first major move—hiring former Raiders and Saints head coach Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator—is a savvy decision that gives him an experienced voice on that side of the ball. While offensive wizards don’t always become great head coaches, Johnson is stepping into a situation with enough talent to make an immediate impact.
Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots: Grade B+
The Patriots' transition from the days of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick has been a disaster, but they’ve made a strong course correction by bringing in Mike Vrabel. After promoting Jerod Mayo to head coach for just one season, New England quickly pivoted and hired Vrabel, who will bring toughness and an identity to New England. His in-game coaching is elite and he overachieved with the Titans who had organizational dysfunction with GM Jon Robinson. Vrabel has a talented young quarterback in Drake Maye to develop and he has proven he can build strong coaching staffs. The Patriots' roster is in desperate need of a rebuild and he’s an ideal fit for the situation. It’s reasonable to expect significant improvement in New England.
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets: Grade B
Aaron Glenn has his work cut out for him in one of the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchises. The Jets remain a mess, with one of the worst NFL owners in Woody Johnson and massive uncertainty at quarterback—including Aaron Rodgers’ future in doubt. However, Glenn is a strong leader who connects with players and has developed as a play-caller over the past four years. He played a key role in the Lions' defensive growth, transforming it into one of the league's best units. He’ll need to navigate a teardown before rebuilding the roster in his image, but the Jets do have a solid foundation of talent to work with. Given the difficult circumstances, Glenn will need time, but his ability to command a locker room gives him a legitimate shot to succeed.
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders: Grade A-
This hire would earn an “A+” if Pete Carroll weren’t 73 years old. That being said, the Raiders made a fantastic decision bringing in Carroll, who is precisely the culture-builder this franchise needs. Las Vegas has been an afterthought for over two decades, and Carroll immediately raises the team’s floor. He’s likely bringing Russell Wilson with him, which is not an ideal long-term solution, but it’s still a notable upgrade at quarterback. Carroll will be working alongside new GM John Spytek, who has had success with Tampa Bay and Denver. Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis leaned on Tom Brady to help make these hires and has said he will continue to play a role in the organization’s decision-making going forward; so far so good because Pete Carroll gives the Raiders a proven coach and much-needed credibility in the toughest division in football.
Final Thoughts
Some teams hit home runs with their head coaching hires, while others left us scratching our heads. The Bears and Raiders made the strongest moves, positioning their franchises for success. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ hiring process was a disaster that could set them back even further. As the season unfolds, we’ll see which teams made the right call—and which ones will be searching for a new coach sooner rather than later.
-Brad Fowler, Pint Glass Football