In the ever-evolving NFL landscape, the path from coordinator to head coach has become one of the most closely watched transitions in the league. As teams search for innovative minds and strong leaders to guide their franchises, offensive and defensive coordinators are increasingly being tapped for the top job. With the pressure to win mounting each season, organizations are looking beyond traditional résumés and turning to rising coordinators who’ve proven they can command a room, scheme effectively, and adapt under pressure.
This article examines the NFL coordinators who could be poised to leap to head coach after the 2025 NFL season.
Todd Monken
When the Ravens fired Greg Roman, many people were surprised, as Lamar Jackson was beginning to show some promise as a passer. The Ravens did not see this as enough movement, and they made a move at OC, bringing in a Georgia University OC in Todd Monken.
In Monken’s first year with the Ravens in 2023, his offense scheme rose EPA from -.03 to .08 ranking 8th in the NFL. This bump showed the Ravens that they may have something special in the pairing of Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken. Although the passing offense got much better the rushing attack stayed just as potent in 2023, finishing the season with a positive run EPA as well.
In 2024, the doors were busted open to the potential that Lamar Jackson has shown. The Ravens finished first in total yards per game and over 7000 total yards, posting a franchise record. Not to mention leading the league in rush yards per game with over 180 yards per contest and the highest yards per carry in the Super Bowl era.
This is the biggest accomplishment yet; the Ravens are the first team in NFL history to have over 4000 passing yards and over 3000 rushing yards. With the clear results that Monken has gotten with this Baltimore Ravens team, it is safe to say that he will not be just an OC for much longer.
Joe Brady
Mark Joe Brady down for the next Bills OC to get a HC job somewhere in the NFL Brady joins others as OCs who have benefited from the skill set of Josh Allen. Brady had raised the potential of Josh Allen to MVP levels in 2024, and if that happens again in 2025, it could be all but certain that the Bills will need a new OC in 2026. In 2023, Brady and the Bills posted the highest EPA per pass at .228, as well as the second-highest rushing EPA per rush. Doing this only after taking the interim position during the season in November of 2023.
In 2024, a team philosophy was executed in which thirteen different players scored a receiving touchdown, which set a new league record. Brady also led the Bills to the #1 offense in 2024, leading to him being nominated as one of the assistant coaches of the year finalists. If the Bills and Josh Allen can break that playoff wall they have hit in recent years, I would not be surprised to see Joe Brady as a Head Coach elsewhere in the league, or even possibly bringing his talents to South Beach, to compete in the same division.
Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury had been highly renowned before botching the job in Arizona. In 2024, Kingsbury had the task of leading an offense with a highly touted rookie QB and a defensive-minded Head Coach in Dan Quinn. In this task, Kingsbury did not disappoint as his offense finished 7th in yards per game, as well as 5th in points per game.
Jayden Daniels flourished under his new OC and finished the season with more than 3500 yards, as well as 25 touchdown passes and the highest completion percentage by a rookie QB in NFL history, as well as the highest ever rushing total by a rookie QB in NFL history.
Daniels also excelled on-field by using the VR training device at 2x the speed of a normal NFL game. This allowed for Kingsbury to use Daniels and all of his ability in order to lead this surprising team to an NFC championship game run, where they eventually lost to the soon-to-be champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Great Seasons Lead to Great Responsibilities
Although all three of these offensive minds have gotten to where they are at in very different ways, they are all very capable of leading an offense. Not every team may want them leading their room when the going gets tough, but these three offensive gurus are up for the challenge.
These OCs may be the next “hot names” to move up in 2026, but all it takes is a few slip-ups or even a devastating injury, and these coaches may find themselves struggling to keep their OC job, rather than looking to move up to a Head Coach position. If one thing is for certain, the NFL is as volatile as a sports league can get, even if these are the coaches everyone is talking about now, rest assured, there will be more that arise as candidates as the season continues to take its course.
