Klint Kubiak and Joe Brady headline a thinner-than-usual pool of offensive play-callers drawing head coaching interest this cycle — and that scarcity might be exactly what gets one of them hired.
The 2026 coaching carousel lacks a consensus offensive-minded frontrunner. There’s no Ben Johnson emerging from Detroit with a ton of experience and a Super Bowl-caliber unit. What remains is a collection of coordinators who’ve had impressive seasons without establishing themselves as undeniable. For teams looking to gamble on offensive innovation, the decision just got harder.
Klint Kubiak, Seahawks
Seattle’s first-year offensive coordinator inherited a quarterback that teams had given up on and turned him into an MVP candidate. Sam Darnold is completing 67.2% of his passes, and the Seattle Seahawks rank second in scoring at 29.4 points per game. That’s not a coincidence — it’s his scheme.
The numbers back up the eye test. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, Seattle ranks ninth in the NFL with an OFFi score of 80.1 and a B- grade — impressive since he just joined Seattle this year and installed a new system. The Seahawks lead the NFL in points per play (.496) and average the fifth-best yards per play (5.9).
Kubiak, 38, arrived in Seattle after a turbulent stint in New Orleans where injuries torpedoed a promising start. He brought his father Gary’s outside-zone principles and married them to concepts he picked up from his various stints, including under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. The result has been an offense built on balance and explosive plays.
“We want to be smart. We want to be tough. We want to be physical,” Kubiak said at his introductory press conference. “It’s important that we can run the football, that we’re a successful throwing team.”
He’s delivered on both. And unlike coordinators who’ve ridden elite quarterback play, Kubiak helped resurrect Darnold’s career — a compelling selling point for franchises drafting a young passer this spring. His low-key demeanor plays well in the pressure cooker of play-calling, and the son of a Super Bowl-winning coach understands what the job demands.
Joe Brady, Bills
The Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator remains in the conversation despite a less dominant 2025 campaign. The Bills rank sixth in scoring, a step down from last year’s elite unit (which ranked second in the league), but Joe Brady’s track record since taking over midseason in 2023 is hard to ignore.
PFSN’s Offense Impact metric shows Buffalo at sixth overall with an 84.5 OFFi score and a B grade — still firmly in the league’s upper tier. The Bills average 5.9 yards per play (fifth) and 2.58 points per drive (fifth). Where Brady’s unit truly shines is on the ground: Buffalo leads the NFL with 29 rushing touchdowns and ranks second with 2,503 rushing yards. That balance, paired with Josh Allen’s elite play, has made the Bills consistently difficult to defend.
“Do I aspire to be a head coach? Yeah, I would love to,” Brady said in January when asked about his coaching future. “I’m honored for my name to even be thrown out there.”
He pulled his name from the Saints’ search last January to stay with Allen for another playoff run. That loyalty bought him credibility with front offices, but also raised the question: what situation would make him leave? Buffalo’s conference title game loss to Kansas City may have provided the answer.
Brady, 36, first appeared on head coaching radars after his 2019 national championship run at LSU with Joe Burrow. A rough stint in Carolina set him back, but his rehabilitation in Buffalo has been thorough. The Bills’ run game has been among the league’s best for three consecutive seasons under his watch. Teams needing an offensive identity should have him high on their lists.
Mike LaFleur, Rams
The Rams present a fascinating case study in the McVay pipeline. Mike LaFleur doesn’t call plays — Sean McVay does — but the results speak for themselves: Los Angeles leads the NFL in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 91.8 OFFi score and an A- grade, the only team in the league to top a 90 grade.
The Rams rank first in yards per play (6.2), first in points per drive (2.73), and first in total points (481). When McVay fell ill before the Cardinals game in Week 14, LaFleur stepped in and the Rams dropped 45 points. The Rams also rank sixth in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric (85.2 DEFi, B grade), underscoring how a high-functioning offense can elevate an entire roster.
“It just confirmed how fortunate and grateful I am to have a leader like Mike,” McVay said afterward. “If they’re asked to step up, all they do is answer the bell and take it to another level.”
LaFleur’s stock has risen steadily in three years as Rams OC, and being part of a tree that’s produced Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen, and Zac Taylor, among others doesn’t hurt. He’s 38 and has paid his dues with a rough Jets tenure that taught him what not to do. His older brother Matt has won approximately 66% of his games running the Packers.
The lack of play-calling responsibility could work against him with some teams, but McVay assistants have consistently landed jobs regardless. LaFleur’s familiarity with the Shanahan-McVay system makes him an attractive fit for franchises wanting to import that offensive architecture.
Thomas Brown, Patriots
Any team developing a young quarterback should study what the New England Patriots have done with Drake Maye. The second-year signal-caller is an MVP candidate, leading an offense that ranks fifth in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with an 85.4 OFFi score and a B grade.
The Patriots’ numbers are staggering: 6.1 yards per play (second in NFL), 2.56 points per drive (sixth), and a passing attack that’s averaging an NFL-best 8.8 yards per attempt. Thomas Brown, the Patriots’ tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, has been instrumental in that development. New England’s 13-3 record and first division title since 2019 validate the approach.
Brown, 39, impressed Mike Vrabel enough during the offensive coordinator interview process to earn a spot on staff even after Josh McDaniels got the play-calling job. He brings Super Bowl experience from his three years under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, including the Rams’ championship run in 2021. He also has head coaching experience — albeit five games as the Chicago Bears’ interim after Matt Eberflus was fired.
For franchises planning to build around a young quarterback, Brown’s fingerprints on Maye’s emergence make him an intriguing option. McDaniels may never get a third chance as a head coach, and Vrabel isn’t going anywhere, which means Brown could be the piece that teams try to poach.
Todd Monken, Ravens
Todd Monken oversaw consecutive top-10 offenses in Baltimore during 2023 and 2024, helping Lamar Jackson win MVP. The Ravens have struggled this season with Jackson battling injury, and PFSN’s metrics reflect it: Baltimore ranks 20th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 72.5 OFFi score and a C- grade.
But context matters. The Ravens still lead the NFL in rushing yards (2,525) and rank ninth in yards per play (5.7). Monken’s system continues to maximize Baltimore’s strengths even when the passing game falters. His college success at Georgia — two national championships — and ability to adapt to personnel make him attractive to franchises seeking schematic flexibility.
At 59, Monken is the elder statesman of this group. He’s been an offensive coordinator in the NFL and college for over a decade and understands how to build systems around different quarterback skill sets. His work with Jackson showed he could maximize a dynamic runner; his Georgia tenure proved he could develop pro-style passers.
The experience cuts both ways. Some teams will view his age as a negative, preferring to invest in a younger coach they can build with for a decade. Others will appreciate the steadiness and the fact that Monken has seen it all. For a franchise with a young quarterback needing development, his track record speaks loudly.
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury declined head coaching interest last January while Washington made a playoff run. This time feels different. The Commanders rank 11th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 77.6 OFFi score and a C+ grade — respectable given the circumstances. Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin missed extended time with injuries, and Washington still managed to field a functional offense built on Kingsbury’s run-heavy scheme and quick-hitting passing concepts.
The Air Raid architect has quietly become one of the league’s best rushing coordinators. His quarterback résumé is unmatched: Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, and Daniels.
Kingsbury, 46, went 28-37-1 as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-2022 — a record that haunts him. Arizona made the playoffs once and twice finished with a bottom-12 scoring offense. But his rehabilitation in Washington has been thorough. He eased Daniels’ transition into the league in 2024, helped the rookie break the quarterback rushing record, and guided Washington to its second-highest scoring season in franchise history.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has linked Kingsbury to Tennessee, calling him “a potential fit with a young quarterback in Cam Ward who fits his style of offense.” He has also been linked to the Giants opening. Unlike last year, Kingsbury sounds ready to explore options.
“We’ll see how everything plays out,” he said recently. For teams looking to develop a young quarterback, his track record is hard to ignore.
Nate Scheelhaase, Rams
Speaking of the McVay tree: Nate Scheelhaase might be the next branch. The 35-year-old passing game coordinator interviewed for offensive coordinator jobs with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars last January before electing to stay in Los Angeles with increased responsibilities.
“He’s a stud,” McVay said. “He’ll be involved in all parts of the game plan.”
Working within the NFL’s top-ranked offense by OFFi, Scheelhaase has contributed to a passing attack with 42 touchdown passes and 4,448 passing yards. The Rams’ 3.8% sack rate ranks second-best in the NFL — a testament to the scheme, protection design, and quarterback preparation.
A senior NFL executive told The Athletic that Scheelhaase “will be a head coach in two years.” That timeline could accelerate if Los Angeles makes a deep playoff run. The former Illinois quarterback spent six seasons at Iowa State before joining McVay’s staff, and his work with Matt Campbell helped transform the Cyclones into a Big 12 contender.
Scheelhaase is still a year or two away from being a top-tier candidate, but in a thin offensive coordinator market, teams looking for the next McVay might not want to wait. His ability to connect with players and his schematic creativity make him worth watching.
Matt Nagy, Chiefs
Matt Nagy won the NFC North with a 12-4 record in his first season as the Bears head coach. Chicago struggled after his departure, finishing last in the division three consecutive years before winning the NFC North in 2025 under Ben Johnson. His connection to Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi — both spent years together in Kansas City — makes him a logical fit in Tennessee, where he’s reportedly a candidate.
The Chiefs’ offense has cooled in the second half of 2025, ranking 12th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 77.3 OFFi score and a C+ grade. Kansas City averages 5.3 yards per play (16th) and 2.27 points per drive (13th). However, the unit has been remarkably careful with the football with just 12 turnovers, the fourth-fewest in the league. That ball security speaks to coaching discipline.
There have been reports that prior head coaching experience will carry unusual weight this cycle. Nagy checks that box. He made the playoffs twice in four years with the Bears and won the Coach of the Year award in 2018. The fact that Chicago’s defense carried those teams isn’t lost on evaluators, but Nagy has refined his craft under Andy Reid and is a two-time Super Bowl champion as an assistant coach.
Nagy’s familiarity with building around a franchise quarterback — he helped develop Patrick Mahomes early in his career — remains a selling point. For a team like Tennessee whose top priority is developing Cam Ward, Nagy offers a proven developmental track record.
