2026 NFL Head Coach Rankings, All 32 Teams

As a feature in the 2026 Sharp Football Preview Book, the Sharp Football Analysis team ranked positional units across the league for the 2026 season, including the best and worst NFL head coaches.

The ranking guidelines were specific to the voter, with the only requirement that the focus be on the upcoming season only, not the future outlook.

With a combination of numbers, film, and projections, the rankings were averaged for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive line, defensive front seven, defensive secondary, and head coach.

Next up: 2026 NFL head coach rankings.

2026 NFL Head Coach Rankings

Score based on average ranks of positional unit (on a 100-point scale) for all 32 teams, from Sharp Football staff voters. If all voters had a team at #1, that score would be 100. 

What team has the best head coach in the NFL?

32. New York Jets

For the first time in our six years of compiling unit rankings, our 32nd-ranked head coach is not a rookie. Aaron Glenn flopped so spectacularly in his first year that our panel of voters appears to be betting on him getting shown the door at some point in Year 2. 

31. Arizona Cardinals

Mike LaFleur replaces Jonathan Gannon. LaFleur spent the last three seasons as the Rams' offensive coordinator. He finished at the bottom of our rankings among new head coaches, ahead of only Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets.

30. Miami Dolphins

Votes for Jeff Hafley ranged from 26th to 32nd. Hafley has experience as a head coach in college at Boston College, but his decision to surround himself with relatively inexperienced coordinators was surprising for a first-time NFL head coach. 

29. Cleveland Browns

Todd Monken is old enough to have worked under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, and now he finally gets his first crack at an NFL head coaching gig. He ranks fourth out of the six rookie head coaches. 

28. Buffalo Bills

Votes for rookie head coach Joe Brady ranked from 21st to 31st. The 36-year-old has just four years of experience as a play-caller, so it’s difficult to assess expectations given his lack of high-level coaching experience. 

27. Baltimore Ravens

First-year coach Jesse Minter was one of four to receive at least one last-place vote, but his experience in Baltimore (2017-2020) should help him make the transition. Now the question is: Which Harbaugh will his game management most closely resemble? His most recent boss, the more conservative Jim? Or his former boss, the more modern, open-minded John?

26. Las Vegas Raiders

Ranking rookie head coaches is always the hardest task of this exercise. Klint Kubiak did receive one last-place vote, but ultimately finished ranked higher than any of his fellow rookie coaches. 

25. Tennessee Titans

Votes for Robert Saleh ranged from 22nd to 30th. He failed in New York, but it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly to point the finger in an organization as dysfunctional as the Jets in recent years. 

24. Cincinnati Bengals

With just two playoff appearances in seven years, our panel has lost faith in Zac Taylor. He fell from 18th to 24th in our rankings and didn’t receive any votes higher than 20th.  

23. Dallas Cowboys

Brian Schottenheimer impressed the panel enough this year to jump from 32nd to 23rd. His offense did finish second in total points scored in 2025, but was hamstrung by the league’s worst scoring defense.

22. Washington Commanders

Dan Quinn fell to 22nd from 13th (-9), reflecting the defensive struggles despite his track record.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers took the safe route in hiring Mike Tomlin’s replacement, settling for Mike McCarthy’s bland but steady approach. Votes for McCarthy ranged from 17th to 25th, an indication that no one believes it will be a mess, but he isn’t innovative enough to alter the Steelers’ recent commitment to mediocrity. 

20. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Stefanski takes over for Raheem Morris. Stefanski produced two winning seasons during his six years as the Browns head coach, but went just 8-26 over the past two campaigns.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Bowles slipped to 19th from 14th. Since taking over for Bruce Arians, Bowles has produced just one 10-win season, and his defense has slipped from seventh in points allowed in 2023 down to 20th in the same category last year.

18. Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales improved to 18th from 21st last year. While Young hasn’t exactly taken a huge leap under Canales’ tutelage, he delivered the Panthers’ first playoff trip since 2017.

17. New Orleans Saints

Kellen Moore made a huge stride to 17th heading into his second year as a head coach. Moore will inevitably be tied to Tyler Shough’s development, and despite the offense finishing in the bottom five of points scored last year, there is some hope for success in the near future.

16. Indianapolis Colts

Votes for Shane Steichen ranged from seventh to 19th. Those on the high end of the spectrum are likely encouraged by his aggressive nature. For example, on fourth-and-two or less from their own 40-yard line or closer, Steichen went for it 91% of the time last year (average: 78%). Voters on the low end are likely fixated on the lack of improvement for the team over his three seasons. 

15. New York Giants

The addition of John Harbaugh puts the Giants coach 12 spots higher than his predecessor, but Harbaugh was second in our rankings last year when he was with the Ravens.

14. Philadelphia Eagles

Despite all the steps back the Eagles took in this year’s rankings, no one fell further than Nick Sirianni, who tumbled from third all the way down to 14th. That’s the biggest fall for any returning head coach.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars

Liam Coen made a strong first impression and even received three votes inside the top 10. His willingness to attack downfield stood out as an improvement. On first and second down, 18% of Jacksonville’s offensive plays were pass attempts 10 or more yards downfield, the league’s third-highest rate. 

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Votes for Jim Harbaugh ranged from sixth to 21st. On one hand, he keeps winning. On the other hand, he’s the most conservative coach in the league by a significant margin. For example, on fourth-and-two or less from his own 40-yard line or closer, Harbaugh went for it just 47% of the time, easily the league’s lowest rate (average: 78%). 

11. Green Bay Packers

Matt LaFleur slipped slightly from eighth to 11th. He remains one of the premier offensive minds in the game, but sports a record of 3-6 in the postseason. 

10. Houston Texans

Votes for DeMeco Ryans ranged from fifth to 16th. He’s clearly doing something right, taking his team to the playoffs in three straight seasons. However, he’s one of the most conservative coaches in the league, which may be contributing to their inability to get over the hump. On fourth-and-two or less from their own 40-yard line or closer, Houston went for it just 56% of the time, the league’s second-lowest rate (average: 78%). 

9. Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell slipped just two spots to ninth after his offense took a major step back with J.J. McCarthy under center. O’Connell has three winning seasons in four years, but he is still searching for his first playoff win.

8. New England Patriots

Mike Vrabel ranked in the top half of the league on every ballot, but our voters would likely view him more favorably if he were more aggressive. On fourth-and-two or shorter from his own 40-yard line or closer, he only went for it 58% of the time, the league’s fourth-lowest rate. 

7. Chicago Bears

Ben Johnson surged to seventh from 22nd after a successful first season as an NFL head coach. Johnson’s offenses have finished in the top 10 of points scored in all four years of his time as a coordinator or head coach.

6. Detroit Lions

Dan Campbell slipped just three spots to sixth this year. He remains a fan favorite due to his style and culture. He’s led the Lions to four straight winning seasons for the first time since the early 1970s.

5. Denver Broncos

Sean Payton received votes ranging from third to 11th. He’s clearly among the best coaches in the game, but his conservative tendencies have the potential to hurt his team when matched up against more explosive offenses and aggressive play-callers. 

4. Seattle Seahawks

Mike Macdonald rose 18 spots to No. 4 this year. In two years as a head coach, Macdonald has won 24 games and a Super Bowl.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan rose to third from sixth, continuing to earn high marks for his offensive mastery and ability to maximize talent.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid dropped out of our top spot this year, but still received one first-place vote and was second on every other ballot. 

1. Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay is the new gold standard, up two spots from last year. McVay has won 92 games in his nine seasons as the Rams head coach and just turned 40 this year.