Grading Head Coaches from the 2025 NFL Hiring Cycle

With a few weeks left in the 2025 NFL season, it's a good time to take a critical look at the head coaching hires from the previous cycle.

Often, you can see the best and worst decisions within the first year.

Which teams made the right choice with a new direction? Is one team already regretting its decision? 

While it may be too early to evaluate coaches in rebuilding situations, you can still see progress or the lack thereof with teams near the bottom of the standings.

Here are grades for all seven head coaching hires from the offseason. These evaluations are based on player development, 2025 playoff outlook and how the team is trending in the final weeks of the season.

Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders

Team record: 2-12

Known for his culture-building leadership, Pete Carroll took on a challenging vacancy with the Las Vegas Raiders, but the Super Bowl-winning head coach underestimated the team's rebuilding process.

The 74-year-old compounded those roster miscalculations with poor decisions for his coaching staff. He fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, who's a holdover from a previous regime, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly before Thanksgiving.

One month into the season, Carroll criticized Kelly for the team's lack of commitment to the run game and its inefficiencies. In a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, he meddled with the offensive game plan, which signaled a disconnect with Kelly, and led to the OC's dismissal. 

One of Carroll's sons, Brennan, is the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. While the younger Carroll must work with the offensive play-caller, he's directly connected to the league's worst rushing offense and a poor pass-protecting front line. 

Backup left tackle Stone Forsythe has started in 10 out of 14 games in place of Kolton Miller, who's missed time because of an ankle injury. He's allowed a league-high 10 sacks entering Week 16, per Pro Football Focus. Right tackle DJ Glaze has allowed seven sacks, per PFF. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is averaging 3.5 yards per carry behind arguably the league's worst offensive line.

Carroll's defensive expertise hasn't helped the Raiders defense. Last year, Las Vegas finished 25th in points allowed and 15th in total yards, which is just about where it ranks through 14 games.

In stark contrast to his time with the Seattle Seahawks, he is hesitant to field his rookies in place of struggling veterans, delaying the development of an 11-player draft class.

Carroll took over a 4-13 team and somehow made it worse, adding disarray with a now-fractured coaching staff. He gets an F, and that may stand for fired after Week 18.

Grade: F

Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen

Team record: 10-4

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't won double-digit regular-season games since they advanced to the AFC Championship in the 2017 campaign under Doug Marrone. 

Liam Coen has injected new energy into a franchise that needed an identity and direction. He takes accountability for his miscues, which goes over well in the locker room.

The Jaguars aren't a team that just outclasses lesser opponents. They've beaten the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers, all playoff-caliber clubs. 

Jacksonville fields a top-10 scoring offense and defense, a testament to Coen's coaching staff and its ability to find the right players to execute within the team's systems. Last year, the Jaguars ranked 26th and 27th in those respective categories. 

Also, the Jaguars are allowing the fewest rushing yards per game, an impressive turnaround after ranking 25th in 2024. They're second in takeaways. Play-caller Anthony Campanile is molding an aggressive, stout unit. He just needs to find ways for his defenders to tighten up in coverage.

Under Coen, a former offensive coordinator, Lawrence must improve his 60 percent completion rate and cut down on turnovers, but he's played efficiently over the last three weeks, throwing for nine touchdowns without an interception.

Jacksonville should be playoff-bound with the Philip Rivers-led Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans coming up on the schedule after the Denver Broncos. The Jaguars' persistence in pursuing Coen is paying off.

Grade: A

Aaron Glenn, New York Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn

Team record: 3-11

The New York Jets didn't win their first game until Week 8. Head coach Aaron Glenn benched quarterback Justin Fields by Week 12. Gang Green ranks 27th in scoring and is giving up the third-most points. 

All that said, the Jets showed a competitive streak midway through the season, winning consecutive games. 

Even more impressive, they pulled off those victories without star wideout Garrett Wilson, who's on injured reserve with a knee injury, and All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, who missed time because of a concussion before the team traded him to the Indianapolis Colts.

New York also dealt three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys before its second victory.

In a rebuild year, with inconsistent quarterback play, due to poor performances and injuries, the Jets weren't going to see much progress regardless of who coached them. Glenn doesn't get a pass for that, but it's an appropriate context for the team's recent blowout losses after a short stretch of solid performances.

Keep in mind the last time backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor played a full game, the Jets beat the Atlanta Falcons, who were battling to stay in playoff contention. 

Glenn must do a lot more to prove himself, but the team's brief glimpses of progress make you wonder what he can do with a more talented, healthier roster.

Grade: D

Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson

Team record: 10-4

Thanks to head coach Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears have their most productive offense in over a decade. They haven't finished a season top-10 in scoring and yards since 2013 under former lead skipper Marc Trestman. 

Chicago hit a home run by hiring Johnson from the Detroit Lions, thereby strengthening its team and weakening a division rival. 

Like Liam Coen in Jacksonville, Johnson is working with a former No. 1 overall pick at quarterback. He's in the process of refining a second-year pro whose accuracy needs work, but still makes enough plays to help his team win games.

Caleb Williams is only completing 58 percent of his passes, yet he's eclipsed his passing touchdown total from last season. Moreover, the 24-year-old has engineered five game-winning drives. 

Fortunately for Williams, Johnson knows how to design an effective ground game to take pressure off the quarterback and allow him to pick his spots. The Bears are second in rushing yards per game.

With a revamped offensive line, Chicago can play downhill with running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, and protect Williams when he must throw in critical situations.

The Bears have quality wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, but they're 1-3 in the division with a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. 

Chicago has two division matchups and the San Francisco 49ers in its final three games. It will likely need a win over the Green Bay Packers or Detroit Lions to punch a ticket to the playoffs.

Johnson gets an A-minus for now with some concern over the Bears' record against NFC North opponents, but he's a divisional win and a shirtless celebration away from an A.

Grade: A-

Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Erin Hooley

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore

Team record: 4-10

The New Orleans Saints opened the season with second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler, who had some decent outings, but head coach Kellen Moore benched him in Week 8. Rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough took over, and he's made strides.

Over the last two weeks, Shough has led the Saints to back-to-back wins over division opponents, the two teams battling for the NFC South title.

As a head coach with an offensive background, Moore will be judged by his offense's progress and quarterback development. 

Despite New Orleans' 4-10 record, the club may have a building block in Shough, who has thrown for six touchdowns and five interceptions with a 66.7 percent completion rate. In a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he flashed his mobility, rushing for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Even more telling about Moore's offensive expertise, the Saints upset the Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers without star running back Alvin Kamara. In his absence, rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal picked up the majority of the workload until he exited the previous outing with a hamstring injury.

Moore hired defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who has worked with a blend of veterans in the front seven and a young secondary. The Saints defense has clamped down on opponents in recent outings, allowing an average of 17.8 points over the last five weeks.

After a slow start, the Saints are progressing well under Moore. If Shough continues to grow, New Orleans could be back in the race for a division title in 2026. For now, it's a rebuilding year with promising flashes as of late.

Grade: C

Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer

Team record: 6-7-1

When the Dallas Cowboys promoted Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, critics saw the hire as uninspiring, considering the buzz around Deion Sanders.

Nonetheless, Schottenheimer elevated his side of the ball. Entering Week 16, Dallas has racked up the most yards per game and ranks fourth in scoring. Dak Prescott leads the league in completions, pass attempts and passing yards. Running back Javonte Williams and wideout George Pickens are having career years, with personal bests in rushing and receiving yards, respectively.

For the most part, Schottenheimer has exceeded expectations in terms of his team's offensive production. He can't help that the front office traded All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, which significantly hurt the team's defense.

The Cowboys lead the league in pressure rate, but they're tied for 20th in sacks. Rotational edge-rusher James Houston leads the club with 5.5 sacks.

Despite a defense that allows the second-most points and fourth-most yards, the Cowboys went on a three-game winning streak in November, but they've returned to mediocrity after consecutive losses.

Schottenheimer is a quality hire for the Cowboys offense, but he needs more help on the other side of the ball. Dallas will likely use the draft capital it acquired from the Green Bay Packers in the Parsons deal to reload on defense. 

Critics were too harsh in their early assessment of the Schottenheimer hire. That said, he gets a B-minus because his team is slightly below .500.

Grade: B-

Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel

Team record: 11-3

The New England Patriots are well ahead of schedule in their first year under head coach Mike Vrabel. Even after a loss to the Buffalo Bills, they're atop the AFC East with the second-best record in their conference. 

Yes, the Patriots benefited from playing a fourth-place schedule, but they also earned a quality road win over the Buffalo Bills in October. Furthermore, New England has the league's third-best point differential, so it has thoroughly outmatched weaker opponents.

A proven head coach from his time with the Tennessee Titans, Vrabel knows how to build a staff and team culture. He hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who's in his third stint with the team, to develop second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and the relationship is yielding strong results.

Maye will be a viable MVP candidate if the Patriots claim one of the top seeds in the AFC. He's thrown for 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions with a league-leading 70.9 percent completion rate.

McDaniels is also designing plays for rookie second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson to break free in the open field. The electric tailback is averaging 5.4 yards per carry. 

Vrabel, a former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, has helped develop a stout defense with a strong class of free-agent acquisitions. New England ranks seventh in points and yards allowed. The team has gone through most of the season without its defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

The Patriots have a young leader under center, several new players, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and have faced adversity as a prominent coach tends to his health. Yet, they're one win away from clinching a playoff berth. 

Grade: A

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.