SI's 2026 Ranking of the NFL's Coach-QB Duos: A Deep Dive
The NFL landscape is ever-evolving, and the 2026 season promises to be a fascinating one, with a focus on the dynamic duos of coaches and quarterbacks. This year's rankings showcase the importance of finding the right fit between these two pivotal positions, with some teams thriving and others struggling to find their footing.
Kansas City Chiefs (1)
- Coach: Andy Reid
- QB: Patrick Mahomes
- Commentary: Despite a disappointing 2025 season, Mahomes remains an elite quarterback. His ability to lead the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowls and his MVP credentials make him a top contender. However, the team's struggles without him highlight the importance of his presence.
Los Angeles Rams (2)
- Coach: Sean McVay
- QB: Matthew Stafford
- Commentary: McVay's strategic brilliance and Stafford's exceptional performance in 2025, marked by a career-high MVP season, make this duo a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to adapt and create easy throws is a testament to their success.
New England Patriots (3)
- Coach: Mike Vrabel
- QB: Drake Maye
- Commentary: Vrabel's turnaround with the Patriots is impressive, and Maye's impressive EPA and statistical achievements make him a rising star. The duo's success in the AFC East and their Super Bowl run showcase their potential.
Los Angeles Chargers (4)
- Coach: Jim Harbaugh
- QB: Justin Herbert
- Commentary: Harbaugh's impact on the Chargers' culture and their defensive prowess are notable. However, Herbert's playoff struggles and the team's lack of postseason success raise questions about their ability to consistently perform under pressure.
Green Bay Packers (5)
- Coach: Matt LaFleur
- QB: Jordan Love
- Commentary: Love's potential and LaFleur's strategic adjustments have the Packers in a strong position. Their ability to adapt and find success with a dynamic offense and a solid defense is a key strength.
San Francisco 49ers (6)
- Coach: Kyle Shanahan
- QB: Brock Purdy
- Commentary: Shanahan's mastery of the run game and his ability to create easy throws make him a top coach. Purdy's performance and the team's playoff success highlight their potential for future greatness.
Seattle Seahawks (7)
- Coach: Mike Macdonald
- QB: Sam Darnold
- Commentary: Macdonald's defensive prowess and Darnold's solid performance in the regular season showcase their potential. The Seahawks' Super Bowl run and their improved defense make them a force to be reckoned with.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8)
- Coach: Liam Coen
- QB: Trevor Lawrence
- Commentary: Coen's impact on the Jaguars' improvement and Lawrence's development make this duo a rising star. Their potential for Super Bowl contention is a testament to their success.
Chicago Bears (9)
- Coach: Ben Johnson
- QB: Caleb Williams
- Commentary: Johnson and Williams' dynamic partnership and the Bears' offensive success showcase their potential. Their ability to adapt and create a strong offense is a key strength.
Cincinnati Bengals (10)
- Coach: Zac Taylor
- QB: Joe Burrow
- Commentary: Taylor's underachievement and Burrow's injury concerns raise questions. Their playoff struggles and Burrow's availability are critical factors in their ranking.
Denver Broncos (11)
- Coach: Sean Payton
- QB: Bo Nix
- Commentary: Payton's offensive adjustments and Nix's solid performance make this duo a contender. Their playoff success and the team's potential for improvement are notable.
Detroit Lions (12)
- Coach: Dan Campbell
- QB: Jared Goff
- Commentary: Campbell's prove-it season and Goff's solid numbers showcase their potential. The Lions' defensive improvements and Goff's EPA are key factors in their ranking.
Philadelphia Eagles (13)
- Coach: Nick Sirianni
- QB: Jalen Hurts
- Commentary: Hurts' big-game struggles and Sirianni's hot seat situation highlight the challenges. Their playoff wins and Super Bowl appearances showcase their potential for success.
Buffalo Bills (14)
- Coach: Joe Brady
- QB: Josh Allen
- Commentary: Allen's talent and Brady's defensive adjustments make this duo intriguing. Their championship aspirations and Allen's MVP potential are key factors.
New York Giants (15)
- Coach: John Harbaugh
- QB: Jaxson Dart
- Commentary: Harbaugh's return to the Giants and Dart's talent showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and Dart's EPA are notable.
Baltimore Ravens (16)
- Coach: Jesse Minter
- QB: Lamar Jackson
- Commentary: Minter's opportunity with a Super Bowl-bound team and Jackson's MVP potential make this duo exciting. Their playoff success and Jackson's leadership are key factors.
Dallas Cowboys (17)
- Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
- QB: Dak Prescott
- Commentary: Schottenheimer's second season and Prescott's MVP-worthy performance showcase their potential. The Cowboys' defensive struggles and Schottenheimer's adjustments are critical factors.
Washington Commanders (18)
- Coach: Dan Quinn
- QB: Jayden Daniels
- Commentary: Quinn's defensive adjustments and Daniels' talent make this duo a rising star. Their playoff aspirations and Daniels' health are key factors.
Houston Texans (19)
- Coach: DeMeco Ryans
- QB: C.J. Stroud
- Commentary: Ryans' defensive expertise and Stroud's potential make this duo intriguing. Their playoff success and Stroud's development are notable.
Minnesota Vikings (20)
- Coach: Kevin O'Connell
- QB: Kyler Murray
- Commentary: O'Connell's offensive mind and Murray's potential make this duo a rising star. Their playoff aspirations and Murray's health are critical factors.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21)
- Coach: Todd Bowles
- QB: Baker Mayfield
- Commentary: Bowles' leadership and Mayfield's performance showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and the team's struggles highlight the need for change.
Indianapolis Colts (22)
- Coach: Shane Steichen
- QB: Daniel Jones
- Commentary: Steichen's impossible situation and Jones' inconsistent performance make this duo a challenge. Their playoff struggles and Jones' health are key factors.
Carolina Panthers (23)
- Coach: Dave Canales
- QB: Bryce Young
- Commentary: Canales' up-and-coming status and Young's underperformance make this duo a concern. Their playoff aspirations and Young's EPA are critical factors.
New Orleans Saints (24)
- Coach: Kellen Moore
- QB: Tyler Shough
- Commentary: Moore's play-calling and Shough's solid performance showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and Shough's development are notable.
Tennessee Titans (25)
- Coach: Robert Saleh
- QB: Cam Ward
- Commentary: Saleh's defensive expertise and Ward's rookie performance make this duo intriguing. Their playoff aspirations and defensive improvements are key factors.
New York Jets (26)
- Coach: Aaron Glenn
- QB: Geno Smith
- Commentary: Glenn's defensive adjustments and Smith's return to form showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and Glenn's leadership are notable.
Arizona Cardinals (27)
- Coach: Mike LaFleur
- QB: Jacoby Brissett
- Commentary: LaFleur's relative unknown status and Brissett's average performance make this duo a challenge. Their playoff aspirations and LaFleur's offensive adjustments are critical factors.
Cleveland Browns (28)
- Coach: Todd Monken
- QB: Shedeur Sanders
- Commentary: Monken's second head-coaching gig and Sanders' rookie performance showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and the team's quarterback battle are notable.
Miami Dolphins (29)
- Coach: Jeff Hafley
- QB: Malik Willis
- Commentary: Hafley's new role and Willis' relative unknown status make this duo a challenge. Their playoff aspirations and Hafley's defensive adjustments are critical factors.
Las Vegas Raiders (30)
- Coach: Klint Kubiak
- QB: Fernando Mendoza
- Commentary: Kubiak's offensive expertise and Mendoza's pressure as a rookie make this duo intriguing. Their playoff aspirations and the team's potential for surprise are notable.
Arizona Cardinals (31)
- Coach: Mike LaFleur
- QB: Jacoby Brissett
- Commentary: LaFleur's continued struggles and Brissett's average performance make this duo a concern. Their playoff aspirations and LaFleur's offensive adjustments are critical factors.
Cleveland Browns (32)
- Coach: Todd Monken
- QB: Shedeur Sanders
- Commentary: Monken's second head-coaching gig and Sanders' rookie performance showcase their potential. Their playoff aspirations and the team's quarterback battle are notable.
