As the NFL heads into the 2025 season, seven teams have ushered in new head coaches, each bringing a unique background and philosophy to their respective franchises. While some hires look like home runs, others raise serious doubts. Here’s a breakdown of each new coach, ranked from worst to best, along with their long-term potential and playoff chances for 2025.

#7 – Aaron Glenn (New York Jets)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈 (out of 5)

Chances Jets make the playoffs this year: 🏈🏈 (out of 5)

Aaron Glenn returns to the franchise where he was once a standout Pro Bowl cornerback, taking over as the 22nd head coach in Jets history. After his playing career, Glenn worked as a scout and later climbed the coaching ranks, most recently serving as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024.

While Glenn’s ties to the Jets might excite the fanbase, this hire looks like a disaster waiting to happen. His coaching résumé lacks meaningful success. As the secondary coach for the Saints from 2016-2020, New Orleans’ defense was mostly mediocre, ranking an average of 17th in the league during his first four years before an outlier top-five finish in 2020. That helped Glenn land the defensive coordinator job in Detroit, where his defenses finished 29th, 32nd, 19th, and 20th in four seasons – hardly an inspiring track record.

Great players don’t always make great coaches, and Glenn’s history suggests he’s not cut out for this role. The Jets could be in for a rough ride.

#6 – Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈

Chances Cowboys make the playoffs this year: 🏈🏈🏈

The Cowboys stayed in-house by promoting Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, making him the 10th in franchise history. Son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian has over 25 years of NFL coaching experience, including stops as offensive coordinator for the Jets, Rams, and Seahawks. He joined Dallas in 2022 as a consultant, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023, and now takes over the team in 2025.

Schottenheimer’s most notable success came in Seattle from 2018-2020, where the Seahawks led the NFL in rushing in 2018 and Russell Wilson threw for 4,000+ yards and 32 touchdowns in 2019. However, his résumé lacks major accomplishments – no Super Bowl rings, no elite offensive schemes that changed the game, and a history of average-at-best performances.

Dallas remains talented, making the playoffs three of the last four years, but with Jerry Jones still pulling the strings, it’s hard to see Schottenheimer finding long-term success leading what is arguably the most overrated franchise in football.

#5 – Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈🏈🏈

Chances Jags make the playoffs next year: 🏈🏈🏈

Liam Coen steps in as the Jaguars’ new head coach, bringing a mix of college and NFL experience to Jacksonville. He’s best known for his work as offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky and with the Los Angeles Rams, and he spent last season in the same role with Tampa Bay, leading the Bucs to the #3 offense in the league.

Coen’s offensive creativity is promising, but there are concerns. His lone season as the Rams’ OC in 2022 was a disaster, with the offense finishing dead last in the league. However, his ability to bring the best out of his quarterbacks – particularly his success with Baker Mayfield in Tampa – suggests he could unlock Trevor Lawrence’s full potential.

At just 40 years old, Coen brings fresh energy to the franchise. This hire could go either way, but there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about Jacksonville’s future under his leadership.

#4 – Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈🏈

Chances Raiders make the playoffs next year: 🏈🏈🏈

Despite some skepticism when this hire was announced, I actually like it. Pete Carroll, at 73 years old, isn’t a long-term solution for the Raiders, but he’s a proven winner – the only coach on this list with a Super Bowl ring. His time with the Seahawks saw multiple playoff appearances, an elite defense, and a winning culture.

Yes, he’s old. Yes, he might only be around for a few years. But that’s precisely the appeal. The Raiders desperately need a culture shift, and Carroll can lay the foundation before passing the torch to a younger successor (similar to Seattle’s Mike Macdonald takeover).

If I were a Raiders fan, I’d feel pretty good about this move, at least in the short term.

#3 – Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈🏈🏈🏈

Chances Patriots make the playoffs next year: 🏈🏈

The Patriots went back to their roots, bringing in former linebacker Mike Vrabel as head coach. Vrabel is one of only two hires on this list with previous head coaching experience, and his tenure in Tennessee was largely successful – leading the Titans to three playoff appearances, an AFC Championship Game in 2019, and the AFC’s best record in 2021.

This hire just makes sense. Vrabel is hard-nosed, disciplined, and understands the “Patriot Way.” He won’t immediately restore New England to glory as this roster still lacks talent, but expect noticeable improvement. A seven- or eight-win season feels realistic, with bigger things ahead.

#2 – Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈🏈🏈🏈

Chances Saints make the playoffs next year: 🏈🏈🏈

Kellen Moore has built a reputation as an offensive mastermind. The former Boise State QB transitioned seamlessly into coaching, serving as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, where he led the league’s #1 offense in 2019 and 2021. He also comes off a Super Bowl-winning season as the Eagles’ OC, where he piloted the league’s #8 offense with a dominant ground game.

Moore brings a fresh, innovative approach to the Saints, blending physicality with a creative offensive attack. The roster isn’t great, but his coaching could elevate them. Over the long haul, this hire should pay off.

#1 – Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears)

Grade as a long-term hire: 🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈

Chances Bears make the playoffs next year: 🏈🏈🏈

The best hire of the offseason – by far. Ben Johnson is young (38), creative, and brilliant when it comes to offensive football. His work as Detroit’s offensive coordinator was elite, leading the Lions to the #4, #3, and #2 offenses over the past three seasons.

This move completely changes the landscape of the NFC. Johnson will inject life into a tired Bears franchise, and no one benefits more than Caleb Williams. The new coach could turn the rookie QB into the next Patrick Mahomes.

Chicago just became a team to watch. This hire is a game-changer.

Final Thoughts

Some teams nailed their hires; others look destined to regret their choices. Chicago and New Orleans secured two of the best young offensive minds in football, while the Jets and Cowboys might have made costly mistakes. As the 2025 season unfolds, we’ll see which of these hires prove to be franchise-altering decisions – and which ones become cautionary tales.