3 Best Offensive Head Coaches in the NFL Today
Yes, defense wins championships in the NFL. But offense wins games. Scoring points wins games. In order to be a successful NFL head coach, you need to have a next-level amount of knowledge in regards to offensive systems, play designs, concepts, etc.
The best offensive coaches are consistent year in and year out when it comes to productivity. They confuse defenses almost every single week en route to an explosion on the scoreboard.
That said, here are the NFL's best offensive head coaches today.
Kyle Shanahan
Shanahan is one of the most creative offensive minds in the NFL. In three of the last four years in San Francisco, the 49ers have had a top-10 offense.
Even more impressive is that the former Falcons assistant has been able to put up those kinds of elite numbers with different quarterbacks. Whether it's Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, Brock Purdy, CJ Beathard, Nick Mullens or Josh Johnson, Shanahan has made it work with everyone.
Before taking over in San Francisco, he helped the Atlanta Falcons reach the Super Bowl in 2017 after helping them become the No. 1-ranked offense in the league.
Like father, like son. Shanahan has elite offensive coaching skills like his dad, Mike Shanahan. Mike coached John Elway and the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl wins in the late-1990s.
Entering 2023, the 49ers are coming off their third NFC Championship appearance in the last four years. With All-Pro skill-position players in Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle at his disposal, look for Shanahan to coach San Francisco to another great season on offense.
Andy Reid
Reid is arguably the best offensive mind in NFL history. The two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of Kansas City has been one of the best play-designers for over three decades. Reid has coached the Kansas City Chiefs to six consecutive top-5 total offensive finishes.
Patrick Mahomes would likely not be a two-time MVP without Reid. Travis Kelce would not be one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history without Reid. But they are not the only two great offensive players that the former Eagles head coach has had the pleasure of being around. Reid has coached the likes of Brett Favre, Michael Vick, Brian Westbrook, Terrell Owens, Alex Smith, and many others.
The former Coach of the Year has a knack for winning at the highest level while molding the best offensive players. There is a reason Reid is fifth all-time in career wins with 247 (three shy of passing Tom Landry for fourth all-time).
Sean McVay
As long as Sean McVay is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, the franchise will always be relevant. The former Miami (OH) quarterback is the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl (36; LVI). The Rams have won 10+ games in four of McVay's six seasons at the helm. They have also finished as a top-10 offensive unit in four of those six years (ESPN Stats & Info).
He helped mold Jared Goff into a multi-time Pro Bowl quarterback. He has helped Cooper Kupp become one of the best wide receivers in the league. Matthew Stafford's career was resurrected after he and McVay won the Super Bowl in 2021-22.
It's fair to say that McVay is one of the best offensive coaches in the game because of his ability to win at the highest level at such a young age.