The success of an NFL team often hinges on the synergy between its quarterback and head coach. And, while some pairings are dynamic and reliable, others are either unproven or struggling to find their footing. Here’s a ranking of all 32 NFL quarterback-coach duos from worst to best.
32. New York Giants: Every Giants QB & Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll has had to work with three different starting quarterbacks this season — Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, and Drew Locke — and they’ve all been varying degrees of bad. Now, that’s not all on the quarterback and the head coach, but something really has to change in New York ASAP.
31. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams & Matt Eberflus
Matt Eberflus was fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears following their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions, but it was a long time coming. Eberflus and Caleb Williams just never seemed to be on the right page and it seems as though he’s just not the right coach to help the rookie going forward.
30. Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Rush & Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy and Cooper Rush have done their best in the absence of Dak Prescott, but if we’re being honest, they’ve been pretty mediocre. Again, it’s not necessarily McCarthy or Rush’s fault, but it’s just the truth.
29. Tennessee Titans: Will Levis & Brian Callahan
Will Levis has shown flashes of promise, but the pairing with Brian Callahan is still very new. It’s unclear whether or not Levis is the right guy for the future, but they do need some more time.
28. New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers & Jeff Ulbrich
The New York Jets’s season has been a complete and total disaster. Not only has Jeff Ulbrich had to fill in for the fired Robert Saleh, but Aaron Rodgers has been mediocre at best.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence & Doug Pederson
This season has not been good for Trevor Lawrence or Doug Pederson, and it sort of feels like their time together has run its course. Will Pederson keep his job going into next year, or will the Jaguars look to find another coach to pair with Lawrence?!
26. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson & Shane Steichen
Anthony Richardson’s athleticism (and arm strength!) and Steichen’s innovative offense are intriguing, but injuries and inexperience have limited their partnership so far. There’s potential here, but we just haven’t seen much of it.
25. Las Vegas Raiders: Aidan O’Connell & Antonio Pierce
Following Gardner Minshew’s injury, Aidan O’Connell has stepped in and done an OK job. Unfortunately, head coach Antonio Pierce doesn’t really have a lot to work with at the moment.
24. Cleveland Browns: Jameis Winston & Kevin Stefanski
Jameis Winston has done a decent job in place of the injured Deshaun Watson, but Kevin Stefanski’s offensive schemes haven’t fully meshed just yet.
23. New England Patriots: Drake Maye & Jerod Mayo
Drake Maye is a rookie and Jerod Mayo is a first-year coach, so it’s unfair to fully judge this pairing just yet. And, while the Patriots have not been good, there’s a chance these two will figure it out in the coming years.
22. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young & Dave Canales
Despite it being a bad season for the Panthers, Bryce Young and Dave Canales are still figuring each other out. Is Young the Panthers quarterback for the future? Only time will tell.
21. New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr & Darren Rizzi
Derek Carr is a steady veteran, but Darren Rizzi filling in for the fired Dennis Allen has not necessarily helped the struggling New Orleans Saints.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield & Todd Bowles
Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles have been up and down throughout the season. Some weeks it looks like they’re on the exact same page and other weeks their connection feels off.
19. Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith & Mike Macdonald
Geno Smith’s resurgence has been one of the best stories in recent years, and new coach Mike Macdonald has done a good job bringing the best out of him. While there’s been bumps in the road, it’s been overall positive.
18. Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins & Raheem Morris
Kirk Cousins has been a steady hand for head coach Raheem Morris, but let’s not kid ourselves — this is not the pairing for the future. It’s clear Cousins will be the starting quarterback until the Falcons believe Michael Penix Jr. is ready to go.
17. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray & Jonathan Gannon
The Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, but Kyler Murry and Jonathan Gannon have looked good this year. Sure, there’s been some mistakes, but it’s been a big improvement from years past.
16. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa & Mike McDaniel
Tua Tagovailoa has had a rough season and head coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t really been able to do much to get this Miami Dolphins team back to winning ways. However, their success in the past means they could definitely get things back on track.
15. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love & Matt LaFleur
Jordan Love has grown a lot this season, but it still feels too early to gauge his long-term connection with Matt LaFleur. However, they have the Packers in a great spot this season and look to be up on an upward trajectory.
14. Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford & Sean McVay
Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay delivered a Super Bowl, but if we’re being honest, injuries and age have slowed them down. They’re still a solid pairing when healthy.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy & Kyle Shanahan
Kyle Shanahan’s offensive genius paired with Brock Purdy’s poise led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance last year, but things have been a little shakier as of late.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold & Kevin O’Connell
Who would’ve thought that journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold would be leading the Minnesota Vikings into the 2024 NFL playoffs, but here we are! Head coach Kevin O’Connell has done a great job with him and their connection looks to be very strong.
11. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert & Jim Harbaugh
Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh are still figuring each other out, but there’s no doubt this pairing has already been more successful than former Chargers quarterback/head coach pairings. With a little more time together, they could definitely challenge the Chiefs in the AFC West.
10. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix & Sean Payton
Bo Nix absolutely looks like the Denver Broncos quarterback for the future and Sean Payton has done an incredible job with him. Sure, there’s been some mistakes, but that’s expected with a rookie.
9. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud & DeMeco Ryans
Both C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans’ first year with the Houston Texans was incredibly impressive, and while year two hasn’t been as strong, they’re still very much on the same page. Stroud is still figuring out how to play in the NFL and Ryans is the perfect leader.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow & Zac Taylor
The Cincinnati Bengals are having a terrible year, but even despite their record, Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor are still a powerhouse in the AFC.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: Russell Wilson & Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin has essentially revived Russell Wilson’s career after a bad few years in Denver. Tomlin understands Wilson’s strengths and weaknesses and puts him in the right positions to succeed.
6. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels & Dan Quinn
Jayden Daniels has more than proven himself throughout his rookie year and Dan Quinn has done an unbelievable job giving him the confidence to succeed. These two will be a pair to watch for the future.
5. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts & Nick Sirianni
Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni have had their fair share of ups and downs, but this season they look to be back on the same page.
Read More: All 32 NFL Starting Quarterbacks Ranked From Worst to Best
4. Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson & John Harbaugh
Lamar Jackson’s dynamic playmaking and John Harbaugh’s leadership make this one of the league’s most consistent and explosive pairings. While they haven’t gotten it to fully click in the playoffs, they’re still so fun to watch.
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3. Detroit Lions: Jared Goff & Dan Campbell
Jared Goff and Dan Campbell have become a surprising success story, leading the Lions to relevance with their complementary styles. In fact, they look like the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year!
Read More: Ranking the NFC NFL Coaches From Worst to Best This Season
2. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen & Sean McDermott
Josh Allen and Sean McDermott are a proven duo and look to be real Super Bowl contenders this year. Sure, they’ve had their playoff woes in the past, but there’s no doubt these two are incredibly in sync.
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1. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid
Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are a match made in football heaven, as Reid’s offensive creativity perfectly complements Mahomes’ otherworldly talent. And if you disagree with them being at #1, ask yourself if any other duo on this list has won three Super Bowls.
Read More: All 32 NFL Coaches Ranked From Worst to Best