Being a head coach in the NFL isn’t easy… Far from it. It is probably the most complex coaching job in sports.
But that is what these guys get paid the big bucks for! Let’s take a gander around the NFL and rank all 32 guys from the bottom of the barrel to the top!
How did your favorite NFL head coach fare after week one of games?
32. Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales
It was a tough debut for Dave Canales as the Panthers’ new head coach. His team looked overmatched from the start. Canales will need to get more out of his squad on both sides of the ball if he wants to climb out of the cellar.
31. Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had a tough debut in the NFL. Despite the excitement around Jayden Daniels, Washington’s offense couldn’t keep up with Tampa Bay’s attack. And, frankly, neither could his defense!
30. Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan
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Brian Callahan’s debut as a head coach of the Titans started strong but ended in frustration. The defense kept Chicago’s offense in check all day, but turnovers proved to be Tennessee’s undoing. He acknowledged after the game that the team needs to be better, especially the offense.
29. New York Giants: Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll’s Giants were sloppy and out of sync all game. His decision to take over play-calling didn’t pan out, as the offense continued to look stagnant and error-prone—a depressing continuation from last year.
28. New York Jets: Robert Saleh
After years of disappointment—and ample excuses—the rubber may soon meet the road for New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. New York is supposed to be all in this year, but they looked woefully unprepared heading into Week 1.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor
Zac Taylor has to be fuming after this one. His Bengals were sloppy, committing three turnovers and missing too many tackles. It may be Joe Burrow’s first game back from injury, but you simply have to have your guys more ready to play than Taylor did.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald
After a sloppy first half, Macdonald and his staff made key adjustments, deciding to lean on Kenneth Walker III and the run game to spark the offense. Macdonald’s defense forced two key interceptions and held Denver to 231 total yards. Solid debut performance for Coach Mac!
Also Read: Former NFL Head Coach Jon Gruden Reveals He Wanted To Punch Patrick Mahomes Over His Antics
25. Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce had a tough first game as the full-time NFL head coach. His team came out hot, taking an early lead, but struggled with decision-making, particularly when they punted on fourth-and-1 in the second half. He’ll need to find the right balance now that he’s in charge.
24. Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus
People aren’t typically high on Matt Eberflus, but he got the win! An ugly one, but a win is a win. Chicago’s offense was ineffective, but Eberflus’s defense stepped up in a big way.
23. New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen
Dennis Allen catches a lot of flak, but his squad put together a complete game against an admittedly weak Panthers side. His defense was particularly impressive, leveraging the corner blitz, enabling Alontae Taylor to notch three sacks.
22. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
There’s a silver lining for Jonathan Gannon, as the Cards showed glimpses of their potential with Kyler Murray back. Still, Gannon needs to dial in more if he wants to lift this team to the playoffs.
21. Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay
Credit to McVay for his team battling back from a 14-point deficit, but this one stung, as injuries and missed opportunities left them just short in overtime.
20. Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski
The highlight of Stefanski’s afternoon was when his team went up 3-0, so it was a forgettable performance. It’s going to be an uphill battle until they sort out their quarterback issues.
19. Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen
Shane Steichen’s Colts came close but couldn’t break their opening-day winless streak, now at 11 games. Steichen was aggressive, but the offense needs more consistency.
18. Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur
Matt LaFleur did it again, turning a one-score game into a one-score game in the waning minutes by opting for a field goal. He’ll need to take more responsibility for his team’s missed opportunities.
17. Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott
Credit to Sean McDermott for getting the Bills up for their season opener against an underrated Cardinals team. He rallied the troops nicely to secure a crucial win to start the year.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris
Raheem Morris’ debut as the Falcons’ head coach wasn’t what he or the NFL fans were hoping for. The team struggled with careless mistakes and turnovers and experienced a frustrating loss.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
The seat may start to get hot for Doug Pederson. His Jaguars showed potential but were undone by key mistakes and turnovers, especially in protecting Trevor Lawrence.
14. Denver Broncos: Sean Payton
If Sean Payton isn’t careful, his seat will heat up. He’s had pointed fingers everywhere since arriving in Denver, but now it’s his guy under the center. Week 1 was rough for Payton’s Broncos.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles
Todd Bowles’s defense came to play, stifling Washington’s offense. Bowles had an impressive game plan that made Jayden Daniels uncomfortable all game.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin has to be thrilled with how his defense and special teams performed, even if he’s a bit concerned about the offense. As always, he found a way to win ugly.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni
Nick Sirianni responded well in Week 1, leading the Eagles to a hard-fought win over Green Bay. He did a great job getting Saquon Barkley involved early and often in his team debut.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
The regular season isn’t the true measuring stick for the Cowboys or Mike McCarthy, but credit to him for getting the team looking sharp despite all the contract questions swirling around.
9. New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo couldn’t have asked for a better debut as the Patriots’ head coach. With a no-nonsense game plan, his Patriots manhandled a Bengals team that many were picking to be in the Super Bowl this year. Maybe this team won’t be as bad as people expected if Mayo continues coaching at this level.
8. Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh
Despite a slow start in the first half, Harbaugh’s adjustments helped the Chargers come out on top in a critical AFC West showdown in his return to the NFL. Harbaugh’s defense was strong all afternoon, forcing three turnovers and making life difficult for Gardner Minshew.
7. Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans
Expectations were high for DeMeco Ryans heading into Year 2, and the young NFL head coach delivered. This was a tough matchup, but Ryans had the Texans focused and secured a crucial early-season win in what many expect to be a competitive AFC South.
6. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell
Kevin O’Connell couldn’t have scripted a better start to the season. His decision to hand the keys to Sam Darnold paid off, with the quarterback executing the game plan flawlessly. O’Connell’s offense looked balanced, with a nice mix of play-action passes and a solid ground game.
5. Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh
Much of the attention may have been on his brother’s return to the NFL, but John Harbaugh reminded everyone why he’s one of the best coaches in the league. The Ravens came up short against the Chiefs, but with Harbaugh leading this squad, expect a bounce-back in Week 2.
4. Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell did what he does best, guiding the Lions to a gritty overtime win. The victory was full of resilience, as Detroit rallied back after losing a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter. Classic Campbell football.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan
We are running out of ways to praise Kyle Shanahan. He’s proven time and time again that he’s one of the best coaches in the game. The 49ers were dominant in their opener, and Shanahan’s only missing piece is that elusive Lombardi Trophy.
2. Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins had a sluggish first half, but he and his staff made the necessary halftime adjustments. The Dolphins came out rolling in the second half, and McDaniel’s coaching shined in their Week 1 comeback win.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid
Andy Reid wasn’t exactly clinical in the Chiefs’ season opener against the Ravens, but he was effective. Reid kept the Chiefs locked in during an extremely hard-fought matchup, proving once again why he’s one of the best in the business.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Head Coaches For The 2024 Season From WORST To FIRST
