The coaching carousel this offseason has been the most entertaining merry-go-round of NFL drama in years. The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Buffalo Bills parted ways with Sean McDermott following their divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos.
With new head coaches come new staffs, and sometimes the coordinator hires can be just as important as the top job. Just look at what happened with the Detroit Lions last year. Some of these assistants will be called upon to lead their side of the ball, like Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings‘ defense or Klint Kubiak with the Seattle Seahawks‘ offense.
There has been plenty of coordinator turnover over the past few weeks. Below, CBS Sports writers Jordan Dajani and Bryan DeArdo attempt to grade every coordinator hire from around the NFL.
Remaining openings
Offensive coordinator (8): Cardinals, Bears, Raiders, Rams, Giants, Jets, Steelers, Seahawks
Defensive coordinator (3): Cardinals, Browns, Raiders
NFL coaching grades are in: Cardinals sign Mike LaFleur, Raiders closing in on Klint Kubiak
Tyler Sullivan
Offensive coordinator: Tommy Rees
Grade: C
Dajani: The Atlanta Browns? Kevin Stefanski isn’t exploring other offensive coordinator options, as he’s bringing his OC with him to the Falcons. The former Notre Dame quarterback spent the past two years in Cleveland, working as a pass-game specialist and tight ends coach before earning a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2025.
Stefanski handed off play-calling duties to Rees in the middle of last season, as Cleveland again struggled to find consistency at quarterback. Ultimately, the Browns finished third-worst in total offense (262.1 yards per game) and second-worst in scoring (16.4 points per game).
Browns fans probably weren’t too sad to lose Rees. Was the problem in Cleveland the coaching staff and play-calling? Or the personnel? We’ll find out soon enough.
Offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle
Grade: B
DeArdo: Doyle, 29, was born the same year as the Ravens’ inaugural season. Despite his youth, Doyle has already made three prior NFL coaching stops, including spending the 2025 season as the Bears’ offensive coordinator. Before that, he spent four seasons as an offensive assistant in New Orleans before following Sean Payton to Denver, where he served as the Broncos’ tight ends coach for two seasons.
While he has already held the offensive coordinator title, the Baltimore position could be considered a promotion, as he will call plays for the first time (Ben Johnson calls the offensive plays in Chicago). That means the Ravens will have a defensive-minded, first-time head coach in Jesse Minter — who recently said he will call the plays on defense — paired with a first-time play-caller on offense.
Defensive coordinator: Anthony Weaver
Grade: A+
DeArdo: Baltimore hit a home run by hiring Weaver, whom many considered the best available defensive coordinator during this coaching cycle. The move looks even more impressive given how late it came in the process. The Ravens deserve extra credit for staying patient and waiting to see if Weaver would be available after he interviewed to become the Steelers’ next head coach.
From a historical standpoint, the 2000 Ravens’ legendary defense had Marvin Lewis as its coordinator, and he enjoyed a highly successful career before becoming a head coach. Weaver — a former Ravens pass rusher who played alongside Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs — appears cut from the same cloth.
Weaver got into coaching shortly after his playing career ended. He has enjoyed a lengthy run as a defensive line coach, including three seasons on John Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore. In Miami, Weaver led a Dolphins defense that ranked 10th in scoring in 2024. This past season, he got incredible production from linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, along with pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Ravens expected to hire Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, 29, for same role in Baltimore
Will Backus
Offensive coordinator: Pete Carmichael Jr.
Grade: A-
DeArdo: Carmichael makes perfect sense for the Bills and first-time head coach Joe Brady, who will continue to serve as Buffalo’s offensive play-caller. In Carmichael, Brady is getting an experienced coach who worked closely with Drew Brees for 19 of his 20 seasons with the Chargers and Saints. Carmichael won a Super Bowl in 2009 as the Saints’ offensive coordinator. Quarterback aside, Carmichael has been part of several successful rushing attacks featuring Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, Mark Ingram, and Alvin Kamara.
For the past two years, Carmichael served as a senior offensive assistant in Denver while helping mentor Bo Nix. He’ll now get the chance to work with Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP who continues to chase that elusive Super Bowl berth.
Defensive coordinator: Jim Leonhard
Grade: A-
Dajani: Sometimes big things come in small packages. That was true for Jim Leonhard the player, and it may be true for Jim Leonhard the coach. The Bills were the first NFL team to recognize him as a legitimate player, and now he returns to lead their defense.
The 43-year-old has worked his way up from Wisconsin’s defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator of the Bills. The Chargers and Ravens pursued him, but he chose to join Joe Brady’s staff. Leonhard spent the past two seasons with the Broncos.
As the defensive backs coach in 2024, he helped cornerback Patrick Surtain II win Defensive Player of the Year. As the pass game coordinator in 2025, his Broncos unit ranked No. 2 in opponent completion percentage (57.8%) and No. 7 in passing yards allowed per game (187.2). Leonhard isn’t an experienced play-caller, but he has clearly earned this opportunity.
Offensive coordinator: Travis Switzer
Grade: C
Dajani: Todd Monken is bringing in the former Ravens run game coordinator to work with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. The 33-year-old Switzer is a first-time offensive coordinator but has ties to Ohio as a former offensive lineman with the Akron Zips.
He has never coached for another organization, so it’s tough to make heads or tails of this addition. Ideally, Monken will call plays and oversee the passing attack while Switzer oversees what happens on the ground.
Defensive coordinator: Christian Parker
Grade: B
DeArdo: If you take Cooper DeJean’s word for it, the Cowboys found a gem in the 34-year-old Parker, who helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl as part of veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s staff. The fact that Dallas is prying a rising coach away from a division rival only makes the move look even better.
Parker has a diverse background, having already served on coaching staffs in Philadelphia, Denver and Green Bay. He cut his teeth as a quality control coach before rising to defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.
Parker may blossom into the NFL’s next elite coordinator, but the Cowboys are taking a risk, especially with head coach Brian Schottenheimer being an offensive-minded leader. That said, it’s a risk worth taking for a franchise desperate to reach its first conference title game since 1995.
Offensive coordinator: Davis Webb
Grade: A-
Dajani:
Not shocking to anyone, but the Broncos are promoting former passing game coordinator Davis Webb to offensive coordinator, replacing Joe Lombardi. It’s a win in the sense that Webb was a popular name this cycle when it came to other openings around the league.
While he’s only 31, Webb figures to be a legitimate head-coaching candidate in the next hiring cycle, especially if he takes play-calling duties away from Sean Payton, something that could reportedly happen.
The former quarterback has been coaching for just three seasons but has experienced a meteoric rise. Webb also has a good relationship with Bo Nix, so this is a nice move for Denver.
Offensive coordinator: Drew Petzing
Grade: C+
DeArdo: This is definitely an under-the-radar hire for the Lions, but Petzing may have been the best available offensive coordinator who wasn’t in the mix for a head-coaching job.
While he’s only 36, Petzing has 16 years of coaching experience, including 12 in the NFL. He spent five years with the Vikings before working three seasons on Kevin Stefanski’s staff in Cleveland. Petzing served as Kyler Murray’s quarterbacks coach in 2022 before being named the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 2023.
Late in the 2023 season, Petzing’s offense spearheaded Arizona’s upset win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, a game that included 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns from James Conner. Injuries to Conner and Murray played a major role in Petzing’s offense never reaching its full potential. He’ll now get a fresh start in Detroit with an offense that isn’t short on skill players.
Defensive coordinator: Jonathan Gannon
Grade: A-
Dajani: The social media reaction to this hiring was puzzling. Packers fans know Gannon is being hired as a defensive coordinator, not a head coach, right?
The Cardinals fired Gannon after he went 15-36 over three seasons, but he was widely regarded as one of the league’s best coordinators during his time with the Eagles. During Philadelphia’s run to Super Bowl LVII, the defense ranked in the top eight in points allowed per game, total yards allowed per game and sacks with Gannon calling plays.
This could be a nice fit for Micah Parsons. Maybe Gannon wasn’t the best lead man, but he’s an experienced defensive mind who has held this role before.
Offensive coordinator: Eric Bieniemy
Grade: B-
DeArdo: Like an old sitcom trying to relive its glory days, the Chiefs are clearly hoping Bieniemy can help them get back to what they once were.
From a familiarity standpoint, this makes a ton of sense. While his tough love coaching style isn’t for everyone, Bieniemy clearly has a strong working relationship with Patrick Mahomes, and that’s a big deal. If Bieniemy can help Mahomes return to MVP form, that’s what matters most.
That said, a coach is only as good as his players. Travis Kelce will be 37 next season, and Mahomes will be 31. Kansas City also doesn’t have anyone who can replicate what Tyreek Hill gave them during their first Super Bowl run. In short, Bieniemy will have to adjust to what the Chiefs are now, not what they used to be.
Offensive coordinator: Mike McDaniel
Grade: A+
Dajani: Mike McDaniel was the belle of the ball in this year’s offensive coordinator cycle. Say what you want about McDaniel as a lead man, but he could be one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL right away for the Chargers.
In 2023, he used Tua Tagovailoa to power the league’s No. 1 offense, as Miami averaged 401.3 total yards per game. Yes, that production eventually fell off, but the way McDaniel schemed up touches for his running backs really stood out. Remember when Raheem Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns at 31 years old?
And we all know the speedy De’Von Achane is one of the league’s best weapons. His 5.62 yards per carry are the second-most by a running back in NFL history. Whether running the ball or throwing it, McDaniel knows how to create explosive plays. In fact, he’s registered the seventh-most team yards per play (5.78) among head coaches in the Super Bowl era.
Imagine what he’s going to be able to do with Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton.
Defensive coordinator: Chris O’Leary
Grade: A-
DeArdo: Another exceptional hire for Jim Harbaugh, who brings O’Leary back to Los Angeles after he spent the 2025 season turning Western Michigan’s defense into one of the nation’s best units.
O’Leary, who spent the 2024 season as the Chargers’ safeties coach, presided over a Western Michigan defense that finished ninth in the FBS in scoring (17.4 points per game) and 19th in total net yards allowed per game (305.5). That success helped the Broncos go 10-4 en route to the program’s fourth conference title.
The 34-year-old O’Leary also had a successful six-year run at Notre Dame prior to coming to Los Angeles in 2024. That season, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense after allowing opponents to score on just 45% of their trips inside L.A.’s 20-yard line. Under O’Leary’s watch, Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod and second All-Pro selection.
Offensive coordinator: Bobby Slowik
Grade: A-
Dajani: Slowik deserves another chance after his stint with the Houston Texans. You’ll remember he helped C.J. Stroud win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, as the No. 2 overall pick posted the highest TD-to-INT ratio against winning teams in NFL history in his first season, including the playoffs (21-2). Stroud also became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game in NFL history.
However, Slowik failed to adjust and improve his scheme. The Texans offense ranked 12th in total yards (342.4 per game) and tied for 13th in points per game (22.2) in 2023, but slipped to 22nd in yards (319.7 per game) and 19th in scoring (21.9) in 2024, which led to his firing.
After watching how Stroud has fared over the past two years, it looks like Slowik was the best offensive mind Houston had in the DeMeco Ryans era. After spending last season as the Dolphins’ senior passing game coordinator, Slowik is back leading an offense.
Defensive coordinator: Sean Duggan
Grade: B
DeArdo: As is often the case with head coaches who also handle play-calling duties, Jeff Hafley is bringing in a familiar face who can help manage other facets of the defense. In that vein, hiring Duggan makes sense.
Duggan spent one season as a co-defensive coordinator in college (Boston College in 2023) and has just two years of NFL experience. He served as a Packers defensive assistant in 2024 before the team promoted him to linebackers coach in 2025. Last season, Duggan helped Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie emerge as one of the NFL’s most productive linebacker trios, combining for 338 tackles.
In most situations, this hire wouldn’t make much sense given Duggan’s limited NFL and coordinator experience. But his familiarity with Hafley — along with the fact that play-calling won’t fall on his plate — gives this the potential to be a solid hire.
Defensive coordinator: Dennard Wilson
Grade: B+
Dajani: At face value, hiring the former defensive coordinator of the Titans doesn’t sound great. After all, the Giants’ last defensive coordinator also came from Tennessee, and that didn’t go so well. But Dennard Wilson is highly respected and has a strong connection to John Harbaugh.
Wilson helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII as a passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, relying on Darius Slay, James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He then went to Baltimore as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach and watched that defense become the first team in NFL history to lead the league in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31).
Wilson got his first shot as a defensive coordinator with the Titans in 2024, and his unit ranked second in total defense despite a 3-14 record. Tennessee slipped to 21st this past season, but Wilson was applauded for getting the most out of a banged-up group. Now, he lands in New York.
Defensive coordinator: Brian Duker
Grade: C+
DeArdo: This makes sense from a familiarity standpoint, as Duker and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn spent three years together on the Lions’ coaching staff.
Duker has never been a play-caller, so this hire likely indicates that Glenn will handle defensive play-calling for the Jets this season. That will give Duker a chance to manage other responsibilities on that side of the ball without the added burden of calling plays.
It seems Glenn wanted someone he knows and trusts as he takes on his new role as defensive play-caller. If that was the goal, it’s hard to be overly critical of the hire.
Offensive coordinator: Sean Mannion
Grade: B
DeArdo: Mannion, 33, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks after retiring from the NFL less than two years ago. A former NFL quarterback, Mannion spent parts of the 2023 season of the Vikings’ practice squad and served as Jared Goff’s backup when the Rams went to the Super Bowl in 2018.
Upon retiring, Mannion quickly joined the Packers staff as an offensive assistant. He was promoted to quarterbacks coach this past season and helped Jordan Love have arguably his best season since becoming Green Bay’s starting quarterback. He also did a notable job with Malik Willis, who completed a whopping 85.7% of his throws across four games.
Eagles fans should be encouraged with this hire based on what Mannion was able to do during his short time in Green Bay. The fact that Mannion is less than two years from playing himself should give him a unique perspective in terms of calling plays and seeing the game from a quarterback’s viewpoint.
Eagles hire Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator after down year for Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia offense
Zachary Pereles
Defensive coordinator: Patrick Graham
Grade: B+
DeArdo: As an offensive-minded coach, it was important for Mike McCarthy to find an experienced defensive coordinator to lead the Steelers’ defense. He was able to do that by hiring the 47-year-old Graham, who has already served as a defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, Giants and Raiders.
During his second year with the Raiders in 2023, Graham helped the unit go from 26th to ninth in the NFL in points allowed. This past season, Las Vegas ranked 10th in the league in passing touchdowns allowed and fourth in average yards per carry allowed.
In Pittsburgh, Graham will preside over a defense that has a good mix of older, proven veterans (Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen) and young players who are still on the rise (Derrick Harmon, Nick Herbig and Joey Porter Jr.).
It’s safe to say — from a personnel standpoint — the 2026 Steelers defense will be Graham’s best unit since he became a defensive coordinator in 2020.
Defensive coordinator: Raheem Morris
Grade: A
Dajani: I’m not sure the Falcons should have fired Raheem Morris this offseason. His team finished 2025 on a four-game winning streak, and the defense ended up in the top half of the league in yards allowed per game. Morris also got the most out of several rookie playmakers.
Pass rusher James Pearce Jr. set a rookie franchise record with 10.5 sacks, while safety Xavier Watts recorded six takeaways — tied for the third most by any player in the NFL this season.
Morris captained a Rams defense that finished top 10 in both yards and points in 2023 before landing the Falcons job, and now he returns to the NFC West. Replacing someone like Robert Saleh won’t be easy, but Morris is a veteran defensive leader capable of running the 49ers on that side of the ball.
49ers hiring Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator: Former Falcons coach replaces Robert Saleh
Zachary Pereles
Offensive coordinator: Zac Robinson
Grade: B+
DeArdo: This has the potential to be a really good hire for the Buccaneers for several reasons.
Robinson, 39, is familiar with Tampa Bay after facing the Bucs twice a year over the past two seasons as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Perhaps more importantly, he has extensive knowledge of other defenses in the NFC South.
In Atlanta, Robinson consistently put his best players in positions to succeed. Under his watch, Bijan Robinson became arguably the NFL’s top running back while breaking the Falcons’ single-season total yardage record. Wideout Drake London and Kyle Pitts also enjoyed considerable success in Robinson’s offense.
Consistency at quarterback was one of the biggest things that eluded Robinson during his time in Atlanta. Now, he’ll get a chance to work with Baker Mayfield at a pivotal point in Mayfield’s career.
Offensive coordinator: Brian Daboll
Grade: B+
DeArdo: While his time as the Giants’ head coach was largely disappointing, Daboll does have a strong background as an offensive coordinator, including a proven track record with young quarterbacks.
Daboll worked exceptionally well with Josh Allen during their time together in Buffalo. In two years, Allen went from a struggling starter to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Daboll also got quite a bit out of Daniel Jones in New York. Jones helped lead the Giants to their first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI, and Daboll also maximized the talents of Saquon Barkley before his departure.
Daboll will now get a chance to mentor another young quarterback in Cam Ward, who played well during his rookie season despite less-than-ideal circumstances.
Defensive coordinator: Gus Bradley
Grade: B
Dajani:
Robert Saleh is going to call plays on the defensive side of the ball, but Gus Bradley is an experienced right-hand man for Tennessee’s new head coach. Bradley spent last year as the 49ers’ assistant head coach but has served as the defensive coordinator for three different NFL teams (Chargers, Raiders and Colts) and was the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ head coach for four seasons from 2013-16.
Bradley’s return to the AFC South doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of Tennessee’s rivals, but the Titans now have Saleh as head coach, Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, Bradley as defensive coordinator and John Fassel as special teams coordinator. That’s a pretty solid staff.
Offensive coordinator: David Blough
Grade: C-
Dajani: This is a massive gamble for Dan Quinn. After an incredible 12-5 campaign in 2024, the Commanders finished 5-12 this past season. You can try to blame it on Jayden Daniels missing 10 starts, but he didn’t look like a superstar in the games he did play, winning just two of them.
With Kliff Kingsbury out, Washington moved questionably quickly to promote a 30-year-old former quarterback who has never called plays to lead the offense.
I’m sure Daniels loves Blough, and he absolutely deserves a fair shot. But if he can’t find a way to spark this offense right away, could Quinn lose his job? After watching one-third of the NFL change head coaches, I’m not ruling anything out.
Defensive coordinator: Daronte Jones
Grade: B
Dajani: Daronte Jones is a Maryland native who returns to Washington after spending the past four seasons with the Vikings as their defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. He’s worked with defensive backs at a number of stops, including Nicholls State, UCLA, the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, Hawaii, Wisconsin, the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals. He also had a one-year stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021.
ESPN reported that Jones interviewed with at least five different teams for defensive coordinator openings, but Quinn was able to land him. While he’s not exactly a household name, Jones has worked under Brian Flores, Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer.
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