Ranking the offensive play-caller for each NFL team
from Seth Trachtman, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
Offense is the name of the game in the modern NFL, and offensive play callers have never been more creative. Here’s a look at the top NFL play-callers from 1-32 early in the 2023 season.
1)Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Not much more can be said for Reid, a surefire Hall of Fame head coach who has won two Super Bowls in the last four seasons. He’s had excellent quarterbacks in his time with the Eagles and Chiefs, including Donovan McNabb, Alex Smith, and Patrick Mahomes, but was ahead of his time as a pass-heavy play caller with the ability to design creative plays never seen in the NFL before. There remain criticisms of Reid’s game management and short-yardage play calling, but they are a small blemish on his record.
2)Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
McVay is known around league circles as a downright offensive genius despite being only 37. Any association with McVay’s offense has proven a great career move for fellow coaches, and his success with seemingly any quarterback has just added to the developing legend. McVay could be in for one of his most difficult coaching jobs this season after the Rams lost significant talent, but that could make continued offensive success that much sweeter.
3)Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
It’s clear Shanahan is a chip off the old block from his legendary father, Mike Shanahan. There’s even an argument to be made that Shanahan is a better play designer in the run game, and his success despite big-time quarterback talent in San Francisco has been sensational. Before becoming a head coach, Shanahan was a successful coordinator with Houston, Washington, Cleveland, and Atlanta.
4)Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
Over 15 seasons in New Orleans, Payton established himself as one of the top offensive minds in the game. It certainly helped that he had Drew Brees leading the offense for most of that time, but Payton’s creativity and aggressiveness still kept opposing defenses guessing. Revitalizing Russell Wilson could allow Payton to win Coach of the Year in 2023.
5)Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Pederson’s offenses have regularly improved under his watch with the Eagles and Jaguars. Jacksonville saw a turnaround last season, particularly on offense, as Trevor Lawrence took a leap forward in his second season. A protege of Andy Reid, some of Pederson’s play design against the Eagles was even used by Reid in the Super Bowl.
6)Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
McDaniel had a clear impact in his first season as an offensive playcaller, helping shape an elite offense after big additions at wideout and the offensive line. The difference he made with Tua Tagovailoa last season was clear when the quarterback was healthy, and McDaniel’s run design was reminiscent of his former boss, Kyle Shanahan. McDaniel still has a long way to go, but the early returns are promising.
7)Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
A part of the Sean McVay coaching tree, Taylor has proven to be an excellent offensive play-caller in his time with the Bengals. Of course, it helps to have elite talent led by Joe Burrow, but the offense has become one of the most feared in the NFL, finishing seventh in points in consecutive seasons. The only major criticism of Taylor is his lack of aggressiveness at times.
8)Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
After a short tenure in Tennessee, LaFleur found immediate success, leading the Packers with three consecutive 13-win seasons. His creativity made Aaron Rodgers a fan, though the regression of the offense over the last two seasons is a concern. The challenge could be much greater this year as Jordan Love takes the reins at quarterback.
9)Frank Reich and Thomas Brown, Carolina Panthers
Reich spent time as head coach and playcaller of the Colts, and he was expected to begin the 2023 season in that capacity with the Panthers. Jonathan Taylor became an elite runner under Reich’s watch with the Colts, and now he has a higher-ceiling quarterback to work with in rookie Bryce Young. However, Reich is expected to eventually hand the play-calling baton to former Rams assistant Thomas Brown, who is serving as offensive coordinator.
10)Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Smith can design runs with the best of them, though his preference for the run must be called into question in the new analytics era of the NFL. To Smith’s credit, he has made the most of Atlanta’s running game to this point, and was acclaimed for the work he did in Tennessee before taking the Falcons job.