We’re only three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, but it’s already serving up some shocking results. No one expected the Minnesota Vikings to be 3-0 with Sam Darnold under center, and it’s hard to believe that both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals are still searching for their first win after three games.
Some of these surprises come from personnel changes, including injuries and roster moves, while others stem from coaching brilliance. Whether it’s offensive coordinators keeping their quarterbacks in the dark or defensive minds building dominant units, the impact of certain assistant coaches is undeniable this season.
Let’s look at the NFL coordinators making waves early in 2024.
Brian Flores (DC, Minnesota Vikings)
Sam Darnold may be stealing the headlines, but don’t overlook what Brian Flores is doing with the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. While head coach Kevin O’Connell and Darnold deserve some credit for the team’s 3-0 start, Flores has transformed this defense into one of the most aggressive and confusing units in the league.
Flores built his reputation with the Miami Dolphins and Steelers, where he developed a love for blitzing. In 2023, the Vikings blitzed on more than 50% of their defensive plays. This year, while still aggressive, they’ve scaled back to 39.3%, keeping offenses on their toes. Flores’s ability to teach players multiple positions has allowed his defense to disguise coverages and create chaos, leaving opposing offenses clueless.
Flores’s creativity has been crucial, as the Vikings are now ranked No. 1 in defensive DVOA and have delivered dominant performances against both the 49ers and Texans. His defense might be tough for other teams to copy, but it’s becoming a blueprint for success in Minnesota.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams’ Head Coaches After Week 3 Games Of The 2024 Season
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Ryan Grubb (OC, Seattle Seahawks)
Ryan Grubb has taken the NFL by storm. The Seattle Seahawks are a surprising 3-0, and while defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has done his part, Grubb’s work with the offense is worth highlighting.
After making a name for himself in college football, Grubb has brought his explosive play-calling to Seattle. He led Washington to the National Championship Game last season, and now he’s helping Geno Smith play some of the best football of his career. The Seahawks rank ninth in scoring and sixth in offensive DVOA.
Grubb’s secret? Simplifying things while letting his best players make plays. DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba combined for 30 targets in Week 2, showing Grubb knows how to get his stars involved. He’s also allowing players like Metcalf to read defenses and adjust their routes on the fly, making the offense dynamic and unpredictable.
Seattle’s ability to throw for over 300 yards in a league where passing stats are down shows just how effective Grubb’s system is. It won’t be long before other teams start borrowing his concepts, but for now, the Seahawks are riding high in the NFC West.
Kliff Kingsbury (OC, Washington Commanders)
Kliff Kingsbury has revitalized the Washington Commanders’ offense. His scheme has been so effective that Pro Bowl punter Tress Way hasn’t even taken the field in the last two games, thanks to Kingsbury’s ultra-efficient offense.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is thriving under Kingsbury, leading the NFL with an 80.3% completion rate. In Week 3, Daniels shredded the Bengals’ defense, completing 21 of 23 passes. After keeping things conservative in the first two weeks, Kingsbury gave Daniels the green light, and the results have been remarkable.
Kingsbury’s Air Raid background has always leaned toward short, horizontal passes, but now, he’s allowing Daniels to push the ball downfield. Against Cincinnati, 17.4% of Daniels’ throws were deep balls, and his accuracy was spot on, with just 8.7% of his passes being off-target.
The Commanders are 2-1 and finding their groove, and Kingsbury’s willingness to adapt to his young quarterback’s strengths is a huge reason why.
Also Read: Tickets Are Practically Free For One NFL Game This Week…And Still, Nobody Wants To Go Watch It
Klint Kubiak (OC, New Orleans Saints)
Klint Kubiak has made an immediate impact on the New Orleans Saints. The offense, once seen as stale and outdated, has been reinvigorated thanks to his new ideas and fresh energy. In just three weeks, Kubiak’s offense ranks second in scoring and fourth in offensive DVOA.
Kubiak’s arrival has been a game-changer for quarterback Derek Carr, who is on pace for his most efficient season. Currently, Carr ranks second in QBR with 81.1, which would shatter his previous best of 64.3 from 2020. Kubiak’s play-action-heavy system has opened up the passing game, and Carr is thriving.
The Saints’ ground game is also thriving under Kubiak’s direction. Alvin Kamara is fourth in the NFL in rushing yards, and the team ranks second in the league in EPA per rush. Kubiak’s creative and aggressive play-calling has made the Saints a formidable force in the NFC.
Jesse Minter (DC, Los Angeles Chargers)
Jesse Minter’s transition from college football to the NFL has been seamless. The Los Angeles Chargers’ defense has been dominant, even after their 20-10 loss to the Steelers. Minter has brought a variety of coverages that have kept offenses off balance, ranking seventh in EPA allowed per dropback.
Minter’s ability to mix up coverages has made it hard for quarterbacks to get comfortable, despite the Chargers ranking 29th in pressure rate. His secondary is playing at an elite level, and while critics might argue that they’ve faced weaker offenses so far, we’ll get a clearer picture when they face the Kansas City Chiefs.
Press Taylor (OC, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Not every coordinator is thriving in 2024. Press Taylor and the Jacksonville Jaguars are a disappointing 0-3, and the blame falls partly on the coaching staff.
Jacksonville ranks near the bottom of the league in third-down conversions (21.9%) and has been miserable in the red zone. Doug Pederson has already hinted at the need for changes, but Taylor’s play-calling has been ineffective so far. Something must change if the Jaguars hope to contend in the AFC South.
Mike Zimmer (DC, Dallas Cowboys)
Mike Zimmer stepped into a challenging situation with the Dallas Cowboys. Replacing Dan Quinn, who was beloved by players, hasn’t been easy, and Zimmer’s early results have been rough. The Cowboys’ defense ranks 28th in DVOA and has struggled to stop the run, allowing 5.4 yards per carry.
Zimmer’s defense is generating pressure, but it hasn’t translated to success on the scoreboard. If the Cowboys can’t find a way to balance their defense, Zimmer could be on the hot seat by season’s end.
