The best NFL coaches are the ones that know how to take advantage of rules, personnel, and scheme. But no coach is perfect. Each one has their flaws, including the greatest of all time, which showed a season ago.

As we head into the 2023 offseason, who are the best head coaches in the NFL? Let’s start at the top, where the HC that just won the Super Bowl still resides.

Who’s the Best Head Coach in the NFL?

Andy Reid is the best head coach in our NFL Power Rankings. Reid now has two Lombardi trophies and the best collection of Aloha button-ups in the continental U.S.

With Patrick Mahomes behind center, it’s tough to see anyone being able to usurp Reid for as long as he wants to remain an NFL head coach. And while Bill Belichick is the undeniable best ever, rankings are fluid and current, and nobody is currently better than Reid.

Head Coach Rankings 2-10

2) Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

Regular-season record: 298-152 (.662)

Even though Reid is coming off his second Super Bowl in the past five years and has dominated the AFC over that time, Belichick would still come in first on this list … had he not screwed the pooch a season ago by making Matt Patricia the offensive coordinator and Joe Judge the QBs coach.

But it’s impossible to argue with six Super Bowls and the second-most career regular-season wins all-time. And nobody has had a more productive postseason record than Belichick.

3) Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Regular-season record: 163-93-2 (.636)

Flip a coin for who you’d rather have as a head coach between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh. But Tomlin has coached a few teams that should have finished under .500 and did not. In the last few years, Pittsburgh’s roster has been underwhelming.

Ben Roethlisberger’s arm was jello at the end of his career, the offensive line had dissolved, and none of it mattered because the Steelers simply refuse to be bad.

4) John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

Regular-season record: 147-95 (.607)

After injuries prevented Harbaugh and the Ravens from earning a playoff berth in 2021, Baltimore overcame more health issues to grab a postseason appearance in 2022. Harbaugh has taken the Ravens to the playoffs in three of the last four years and 10 times overall.

After winning Super Bowl 47 with Joe Flacco under center, Harbaugh led a transition to Lamar Jackson, helping turn the former first-rounder into an MVP. He’s always willing to make aggressive in-game maneuvers because his accomplishments have earned him total support from ownership.

5) Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Regular-season record: 52-46 (.531)

What Kyle Shanahan has been able to accomplish with what he’s had at quarterback is nothing short of remarkable. He is the league’s premier offensive play-caller and overall offensive architect. He’s consistently found talented individuals to become coordinators and position coaches, and those coaches have gone on to have success at different places as coaches as well.

He’s not perfect. He’s held some silly grudges against players over the years for minor offenses, and moving up to draft Trey Lance only to toss him aside in Year 3 would be a negative on his résumé, but drafting Brock Purdy may be the offset.

Oh, and … 28-3 happened.

6) Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams

Regular-season record: 60-38 (.612)

We can’t have the protégé over the teacher. Sean McVay has the Super Bowl that has eluded Shanahan, but the Rams roster has been a consistent contender from top to bottom for years, thanks to their roster aggression.

McVay can still work wonders, but given his dalliances with retirement, there will always be questions about how long he intends to remain on the sidelines.

7) Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Regular-season record: 51-45-1 (.531)

The man won a Super Bowl against Tom Brady with Nick Foles playing quarterback. And after being run out of Philadelphia (which worked out for all parties involved), Doug Pederson eventually went to a disarrayed Jaguars franchise and immediately resurrected a culture and improved the offense to a point where Trevor Lawrence was able to look like Trevor Lawrence.

Pederson is one of the league’s best play-callers, and he is also an outstanding leader of men.

8) Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

Regular-season record: 23-11 (.676)

Being a good head coach also involves hiring the right people. Nick Sirianni did that with Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon and followed it up by adding arguably a better DC in Sean Desai with the next hire. Hiring Brian Johnson to work closely with Jalen Hurts as the QBs coach was superb, and elevating him to OC was the correct decision after Steichen left to coach the Colts.

But Sirianni is the perfect Eagles head coach. He has embraced the heel mentality of the city, and as long as they continue to win, the city will adore him for it.

9) Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

Regular-season record: 62-35 (.639)

There are not that many successful defensive-minded head coaches in the modern league. All the names above McDermottt are offensive-minded or have been coaching for long enough to consume alcohol in some countries.

It’s hard to win games in the NFL playoffs, and the 2021 Divisional Round against the Chiefs proved that. But at that moment, most of the people standing in their living rooms were screaming not to give the Chiefs that kind of space, yet the Bills did, and it likely cost them a Super Bowl trip.

10) Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks

Regular-season record: 161-112-1 (.589)

Pete Carroll is special. Not many people can introduce and revolutionize the way defense is played, and then at nearly 70, change his philosophy with the times. But Carroll has done exactly that with the way Seattle has changed its stripes.

And the Seahawks have been tactically intelligent when it comes to their personnel over the past few seasons, which included trading Russell Wilson. But they’ve added outstanding pieces everywhere over the past 24 months and could be contenders in the NFC West alongside the 49ers.

Top Head Coaches Remaining

11) Brian Daboll, New York Giants

Regular-season record: 9-7-1 (.559)

Brian Daboll won Coach of the Year after leading the Giants to a playoff appearance, shattering expectations for a team that many thought would be in line for another top-10 draft pick. With both of his coordinators back, Daboll must add talent to New York’s roster, but he’s already shown he can get the most out of what he’s given.

Daboll’s best trait may be his understanding of the modern NFL game and the importance of the QB run. But hiring is an important part of coaching, and gathering a staff of Mike Kafka and Wink Martindale was an outstanding decision.

12) Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

Regular-season record: 47-19 (.712)

Although the Packers finished 8-9 in 2022, Matt LaFleur’s .712 winning percentage is the best for any active head coach who’s been in charge for more than one season. Still, he’s made some head-scratching decisions in the playoffs and hasn’t advanced to a Super Bowl.

LaFleur should be higher on this list. His regular-season record is unparalleled. But there’s a black cloud hanging over him in the form of Joe Barry.

13) Sean Payton, Denver Broncos

Regular-season record: 152-89 (.631)

Sean Payton is an interesting case study. Maybe he is one of the best head coaches of all time and could prove his all-time worth in Denver. But we really don’t know a whole lot about how good he really is because he only spent one year of his career without Drew Brees, and he immediately “retired.”

14) Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

Regular-season record: 9-8 (.529)

While it’d be easy to elevate Mike McDaniel higher on the list because of how incredible the Dolphins’ offense looked when Tua Tagovailoa was healthy, despite the existence of their bad offensive line, we cannot do so after one season.

In addition, it’s not necessarily the most difficult thing to do. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could get open on their own. But the way Miami attacks defenses is unique in the NFL. Hiring Vic Fangio to command the defense was another sign McDaniel has learned a thing or two from Shanahan about hiring good people.

15) Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Regular-season record: 28-36-1 (.438)

Zac Taylor may or may not be a good head coach. Honestly, the jury is still out. However, he made significant strides in how the offense operates a season ago, and it significantly improved the team.

They moved nearly their entire offense to shotgun because they couldn’t run under center because they never passed from it. He also hired Lou Anarumo, which is single-handedly the best decision he’s made as a coach because those defenses are the reason the Bengals have made a few serious postseason runs the past two years.

16) Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans

Regular-season record: 48-34 (.585)

After seemingly overachieving with Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator, things have turned south for Vrabel and the Titans. His team has struggled with health in recent seasons, but his coaching style is one that we’ve really only seen work once.

Like his old coach, Belichick, Vrabel is trying to zig while everyone else zags. But he and the decision-makers on the personnel side have made a few errors recently in valuing the wrong things.

17) Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys

Regular-season record: 155-97-2 (.614)

Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys have posted back-to-back 12-win campaigns, but the 49ers dispatched them in both postseasons. It feels like Dallas has hit a ceiling with McCarthy in charge, but there will be more pressure on the veteran coach in 2022 as he takes over offensive play-calling duties from the departed Kellen Moore.

18) Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers

Regular-season record: 40-33-1 (.547)

Fired by the Colts midway through the 2022 season, Frank Reich is already a head coach again. He’s assembled an incredible staff with the Panthers, as OC Thomas Brown, DC Ejiro Evero, QBs coach Josh McCown, and RBs coach Duce Staley are all under contract.

Reich won a Super Bowl (as Pederson’s OC) with a heavy dose of RPOs. Now, he has a quarterback that operates RPOs in his sleep. Bryce Young is automatic with them.

19) Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

Regular-season record: 17-28-1 (.380)

Dan Campbell doesn’t have the win percentage to command this ranking, but he’s just now getting a Lions roster that can compete in the NFC North. Campbell has the facade of an old-school knuckle-dragger, but he is aggressive in all the right ways, and his players legitimately appear to love and fight for him.

20) Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Regular-season record: 26-24 (.520)

In his first season in Cleveland, Kevin Stefanski led the Browns to their first playoff victory in more than 15 years, but he’s just 15-19 since. Stefanski orchestrates one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks, but if Deshaun Watson doesn’t rapidly improve in his second season with Cleveland, Stefanski could find himself on the hot seat.

21) Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Regular-season record: 13-4 (.765)

Kevin O’Connell changed the culture in Minnesota, helping the Vikings move on from the dour atmosphere former head coach Mike Zimmer left behind. But it’s still unclear how good the Vikings actually are.

Minnesota went 11-0 in one-score games and finished with a negative point differential. O’Connell deserves any and all praise, but he’ll have to prove it again in 2023.

22) Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers

Regular-season record: 19-15 (.559)

After developing a reputation as an analytically inclined decision-maker, Brandon Staley’s game-management strategies weren’t as aggressive in 2022. While the Chargers made the postseason, they subsequently blew a 27-point lead in a historic Wild Card loss to the Jaguars.

Parting ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was the right move — Staley will lean on new play-caller Kellen Moore to get L.A.’s offense back on track.

23) Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Regular-season record: 14-20 (.412)

While it’s still unknown how good of a head coach Arthur Smith is, it’s difficult to argue with his ability to command an efficient offense, even if it is a bit unorthodox in nature. But his success will ultimately come down to his and the team’s ability to develop Desmond Ridder.

24) Robert Saleh, New York Jets

Regular-season record: 11-23 (.324)

As a defensive head coach, Robert Saleh is at a bit of a disadvantage. He needs good people around him on the offensive side of the ball to get things going. And if they do, they go on to be head coaches elsewhere because everyone wants an efficient and explosive offense.

But the Jets drafted Zach Wilson, and that decision haunted them a season ago when they had a defense good enough to contend in the AFC but an offense that couldn’t score. Adding Aaron Rodgers could change Saleh’s fortunes quickly.

25) Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders

Regular-season record: 98-90-2 (.521)

I can’t imagine the daily stress that comes with working for Daniel Snyder. Not many head coaches have to deal with an ownership situation like the Commanders’, and Rivera is excellent at maintaining spirits in Washington.

Despite never having a franchise quarterback with the Commanders, Rivera has posted three consecutive seven-win campaigns.

26) Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders

Regular-season record: 17-28 (.378)

Things have not gone well so far in Josh Mcdaniels’ second (third?) act as a head coach in the NFL. The Raiders spent a lot of money to make the top of the roster look good on paper, but they, unfortunately, forgot that line play, both offensive and defensive, is part of the game.

McDaniels is a run-game wizard, but things have not gone well for him as the guy yet, which is not all that surprising considering the one thing Belichick hasn’t given us is a legitimate branch on his coaching tree (in the NFL).

27) Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Regular-season record: 34-50 (.405)

Unfortunately, Todd Bowles hasn’t necessarily gotten a fair shake in his second stint as an NFL head coach. Although Bruce Arians didn’t want to leave Bowles in a hopeless situation, rostering a 40-plus-year-old QB is playing a dangerous game.

Not doing much to replace him could be the final blow for Bowles. Unless Baker Mayfield can improve his mechanics to a point where he can produce the way he had in 2020, it’s hard to see a situation where the Buccaneers are successful in 2023.

28) Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears

Regular-season record: 3-14 (.176)

Matt Eberflus and the Bears weren’t expected to compete last season. He’ll be judged more harshly in 2023 after Chicago revamped their roster with its ample draft picks and cap space.

Eberflus deserves credit for allowing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to unleash Justin Fields’ rushing ability, but the Bears need more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

29) Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints

Regular-season record: 15-38 (.283)

Dennis Allen was in an impossible situation as the Raiders’ head coach from 2012-14, but his early returns as the Saints’ lead decision-maker weren’t great. While New Orleans’ defense remained effective, the offense struggled to develop an identity. It’s unclear how long of a leash Allen will have as New Orleans moves further away from the Payton era.

First-Year Head Coaches

The 2023 NFL season will feature three first-time head coaches on the sidelines. It’s too early to judge them just yet, so we’ll list them alphabetically rather than rank the trifecta.

Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals

After leading the Eagles’ defense for the past two years, Jonathan Gannon will take over a Cardinals roster that needs to get younger and deeper. Kyler Murray may not be ready to start the season after tearing his ACL in December, so 2023 might be a bit of a reset in the desert. Gannon has hired an incredibly young staff, with both coordinators aged 35 or younger.

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans flirted with head coaching opportunities in 2022, but he’ll now return to the Texans, where he starred as a linebacker from 2006-11. Houston has plenty of intriguing prospects on the defensive side of the ball for Ryans to mold, but they need more talent on offense. Luckily, they landed their franchise QB at the top of the 2023 draft in the form of C.J. Stroud.

Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

The Eagles lost both of their coordinators this offseason, as Shane Steichen will take over for Jeff Saturday in Indianapolis. Steichen’s malleability was his calling card as Philadelphia’s play-caller. Given that the Colts own the No. 4 overall pick, Steichen should be able to bring in a young quarterback and mold an offense around him.