Final 2023 NFL coaching grades for all 32 teams
Performance review time
What coaches did well, and who, well, didn’t? Here are the 2023 Report Cards…
Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
It was a tough spot for the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator to step into for 2023. Jonathan Gannon didn’t have Kyler Murray early, and even when he returned, the best one could expect was for the team to be somewhat competitive. It’s hard to judge, but it is a decent start for a rookie coach. Grade: C
Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Smith
The definition of dreary. Arthur Smith managed to tick off Terry Bradshaw for the way he handled Desmond Ridder. Smith was like a bad bowler: three 7-10 seasons, time to split. Grade: F
Next: Raheem Morris
Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh
In the end, John Harbaugh should go down with Mike Tomlin and as one of the top coaches of this generation. He always has a strong team, and in 2023, he had an elite one. Grade: A+
Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott
A wild ride in Western New York. The Bills started strong, melted, and heated up again after the coach’s techniques were brought to light in a power article series. Fasten your seatbelt, Bills Mafia. Grade: C+
Carolina Panthers: Interim
A complete disaster. Trading the No. 1 pick to Chicago is the ultimate backfire after this season. Frank Reich never had a chance. David Tepper is the next owner to be on the worst list. Grade: F
New coach: Dave Canales.
Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus
Matt Eberflus got another season. Chicago management is going to have an enormous decision to make with this first overall pick. Doubt a team has traded the first selection in back-to-back seasons. Grade: D-
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor
The Bengals started sluggish thanks to Joe Burrow’s injured calf, got rolling, saw Burrow exit again and Zac Taylor managed to get three wins in a row out of Jake Browning before the inevitable demise. One of those years where you have to absorb some blame if you want credit. Grade: C
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski
What a wonderful job Kevin Stefanski did in 2023. Deshaun Watson went out. The next quarterback went out. The next quarterback … you get the picture. And Joe Flacco is having a renaissance. Then, there is the terrific defense. This is your Coach of the Year. Grade: A+
Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy coaching at home gets high marks. Mike McCarthy coaching on the road is mediocre at best. Jerry Jones is beyond loyal. Grade: C+
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton
A sluggish start followed by a torrid midsection and then stumbling in their last four games is what Sean Payton and the Broncos have done. Russell Wilson was seated while the team was still alive for a playoff spot. Given where Denver was, Payton deserves credit for the quick turn. Grade: B-
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell
The first NFC North championship … and we mean the first because the one in 1993 was the NFC Central. Dan Campbell has done a magnificent job in turning around the entire culture in Detroit. Grade: A-
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur
This figured to be a rebuilding year for Matt LaFleur and the Packers. It turned into that with some lows and some highs. Green Bay wasn’t only Aaron Rodgers. Jordan Love may not be the next great quarterback at Lambeau Field, but he has done enough with the help of the coach to earn another season at QB. Grade: C
Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans stepped into a situation as wretched as the one Dan Campbell walked into in Detroit. In less than one season, Ryans has fixed many of the issues that existed for years in Houston. C.J. Stroud is a rock star and there are many other pieces in the band to complement the second overall pick. However, all credit has to go to Ryans for working magic with a downtrodden franchise. Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen
Shane Steichen stepped into a rookie QB in Indy and saw Anthony Richardson lost for the season due to injury. He also had to deal with the Jonathan Taylor never-ending drama until it finally was resolved. Still, as a first-year coach, he finished over .500 and was in the running for the AFC South or a wild card spot. Good job. Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
Rolling waves for Doug Pederson and the Jaguars. Some have been navigated and others have proven troublesome. Has Jacksonville’s coach built a team that is hype and all headlines? Grade: C-
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid
Andy Reid turned an offensive team into a defensive juggernaut. He has the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. A legendary job by an iconic coach. Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce’s hard work and the backing of his Raider players got him the job. Mark Davis has to hope this is more than adrenaline and emotion. Pierce works hard and is a player’s coach. The players have to deliver for him quickly. Grade: B-
Los Angeles Chargers: Interim
Brandon Staley is like Josh McDaniels: Never again as a head coach, even though this was his first go-round. That thought process sunk Las Vegas by hiring McDaniels. Any team that thinks it should give Staley and his analytics a head job is headed for doom. Grade: F
Next: Jim Harbaugh
Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay
There might be something to Sean McVay, after all. His Rams were in trouble and trending toward a spot in the Tanking Rankings. Poof, McVay Magic had them on a roll with a strong defense and balanced and powerful offense. Grade: B+
Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
Miami is omnipotent on offense. It is decent on defense. The Fish are bullies and get bullied by good teams. Mike McDaniel has his work cut out trying to turn this team into a tough bunch. Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell
After a wondrous year where his Vikings won one-score game after one-score game, Kevin O’Connell learned the league bites back. Like other coaches, he was able to right things for a while the reality of not having Kirk Cousins crushed Minnesota. The job has been tougher than 2022 and for the most part, he has found ways to pull things together. Credit where credit is do, especially with 4 different starting QBs. Grade: C+
New England Patriots: Bill Belichick
Last place, the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick: An unexpected trifecta. The defense is strong and fierce. The offense is anemic. Grade: F
Next: Jerod Mayo
New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen
Derek Carr was going to be the answer/key to making New Orleans a strong offense for Dennis Allen and the Saints. Hasn’t happened and Allen’s status would be shaky without a division title. Grade: C-
New York Giants: Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll, like O’Connell, had a great first year. The sophomore session has been troublesome, at best. Losing Daniel Jones isn’t an excuse because the Giants were rocky before the QB went out. Tommy DeVito provided the coach shelter for a couple of weeks but Big Blue has had a case of the blues big time in 2023. Grade: C-
New York Jets: Robert Saleh
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: The entire season shifted in the opener on the fourth offensive play. That said, a 7-10 record and the quarterback carousel — shenanigans — has to fall on the coach. The Zach Wilson event was flubbed and Trevor Siemian likely would not start in a spring league. The defense sparkles. Grade: C-
Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni
A hero — hoagie? — in Philly when the Eagles were 10-1. And then potholes. Nick Sirianni somehow kept his job while losing his coordinators, again. This time not because they were offered head jobs elsewhere. Grade: C-
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin
The Steelers had a similar case of QB hiccups as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. The first-stringer goes out and struggles happen. In the other two cities, coaches are praised for their genius. In Pittsburgh, the buzzards start saying it is time to move on from Mike Tomlin. Don’t be a damn fool. Grade: B
San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan
Not buying into recency bias and panicking after the loss to Baltimore. Kyle Shanahan saw his team lose three in a row and they came back and were en fuego. Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll
The Pete Carroll era is over and the decision is what the grade is based on. He deserved better than to be shoved upstairs. Grade: F
Next: Mike Macdonald
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles
Todd Bowles turned Baker Mayfield into a solid starter and managed a playoff win. The division is still awful. Grade: C
Tennessee Titans: Mike Vrabel
Some franchises seem to go forever without a great QB. Tennessee is one of them. Will Levis had his moments for Mike Vrabel. The bigger issue is this team was considered dominant in the AFC South until the second half of 2022. Now, it’s trailing every team in the division. Vrabel is gone and what happened could be chapters in his autobiography. Grade: F
Next: Brian Callahan
Washington Commanders: Ron Rivera
Things were supposed to be different on the field in 2023 with new ownership and the stench of Dan Snyder’s regime fumigated. Hasn’t happened. Grade: F
Next: Dan Quinn
