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NFL Head Coach Report Card: Final Regular Season Grades for Every Head Coach
With the 2024 NFL regular season in the books, it is time to hand out grades for each head coach. Read ahead to see the grades for every team’s head coach for the 2024 NFL regular season.
Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
After winning just four games in his first year as head coach, Jonathan Gannon led Arizona to an eight-win season but fell just short of a playoff birth. Their offense tallied just over 40 more yards in 2024 and allowed 20 fewer yards on the defensive side of the game. After their bye week, they collapsed as they lost six of their last eight.
Grade: C+
Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris
The Falcons were able to win one more game in 2024 compared to 2023 but, once again, fell short of playoff aspirations. However, their offense took a significant step forward as they averaged the sixth-most total yards per game, but their defense took a slight step back. Late in the season, Morris decided to bench his QB1 in favor of rookie Michael Penix but that was not enough to push the team over the edge.
Grade: C+
Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh
The Baltimore Ravens once again sat at the top of the AFC North. John Harbaugh led them to another double-digit winning season but fell short in the postseason. During the regular season, the Ravens, led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, tallied the most yards per game (424.9). On defense, they allowed the tenth-fewest yards per game.
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott
The Bills took care of the AFC East with ease as they finished with a 13-4 record, five more wins than the second-place Miami Dolphins. Even though they lost their top wideout Stefon Diggs, McDermott spearheaded the Buffalo offense to averaging a stellar 30.9 PPG which was the second-most in football. On defense, they allowed the 11th-fewest PPG.
Grade: A
Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales
Dave Canales had a difficult start to his debut coaching season but was able to win two out of his last three to finish with a 5-12 record. However, Canales’ will be remembered for his development of former No.1 overall pick Bryce Young. After Young struggled throughout his rookie campaign and through the first half, he was able to turn the corner in the back half of the season. Canales should be expected to take Carolina to the next level in 2025.
Grade: C-
Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus
Matt Eberflus was fired mid-season after having a 4-8 record over their first 12 contests. The Bears had lofty expectations in 2024 as they drafted top quarterback prospect Caleb Williams and one of the top wideouts in the class, Rome Odunze, earlier in the year. However, the team never found their footing. Eberflus lost his last six games before being relieved of his duties.
Grade: F
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor
While the Cincinnati offense was one of the best in the sport, the team had championship aspirations entering the 2024 season but did not even qualify for the postseason. The Bengals began to catch fire in the final half of the season but could not get over the hump. Much of their struggles were due to their defense, as they allowed the eighth-most PPG (25.5) and total yards (348.3).
Grade: C-
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski
Like Cincinnati, the Cleveland Browns had playoff aspirations in 2024 but fell short of expectations. Stefnaski led the Browns to a disappointing 3-14 record, a sharp drop from the 11-6 record he held during the 2023 campaign. Their offense struggled during the season as they tallied the fifth-fewest total yards per game (300.8) and the fewest PPG (15.2).
Grade: D-
Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
Despite losing his QB1 for more than half of the campaign, Mike McCarthy was able to keep the Cowboys in the playoff picture throughout most of the season. While the Dallas defense was also missing several key players for most of the season (Trevon Diggs, Michah Parsons), the unit took a significant step back in 2024. After allowing the fifth-fewest PPG in 2023, they allowed the second-most in 2024. McCarthy decided to part ways with the team following the regular season.
Grade: B-
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton
Sean Payton led the Broncos to a playoff birth after falling short in his first season. In 2023, Payton led Denver to eight wins, but in 2024, he improved this total to 10. Payton did an excellent job in developing rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who showed steady progression throughout the entire season. Nix showed flashes of a potential franchise QB, and with Payton as the head coach, he should be in a great position to succeed.
Grade: A
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell led the Detroit Lions to the top seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record. During the regular season, the Detroit offense averaged an impressive 33.2 PPG (most in the sport) and the second-most passing yards per game (263.2). While their defense was not as effective as they had several key players injured, Campbel was still able to lead them to the best record in the conference.
Grade: A+
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur
Matt LaFleur led the Packers to an impressive 11-win season, a two-game increase compared to 2023. In addition, their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, battled numerous lingering injuries throughout the season. However, LaFleur was able to keep them in the playoff race all season and was able to secure the No. 7 spot in the NFC postseason. His defense was excellent as they allowed the sixth-fewest total yards per game.
Grade: B+
Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryan led the Texans to another 10-win season for the second straight season. While this is not a failure by any means, the team did have relatively high expectations heading into the season with sophomore quarterback C.J. Stroud. However, the offense struggled to find consistent production, which hindered them throughout the season. The Texans scored the second-fewest PPG among the teams who made the playoffs.
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen
After winning nine games in his debut coaching season, Shane Steichen took a step back in 2024 as he won just eight games. The Colts also missed the playoffs but remained in the hunt throughout most of the season. However, Steichen was unsuccessful in developing his franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson. Richardson continued to show poor decision-making and was even benched for some time. Steichen will need to find a way to improve his quarterback to lead a competitive team.
Grade: C-
Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
Doug Pederson led Jackson to two straight nine-win seasons in his first two seasons as the head skipper, but had a rough campaign in 2024. Pederson won just four games and was eventually relieved of his duties at the end of the season. The Jaguars scored the seventh-fewest PPG (18.8) while allowing the sixth-most PPG (25.5).
Grade: F
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid
Andy Reid enjoyed the best regular season of his 26-year coaching tenure this season. He led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 15-2 record and earned the top seed in the AFC. The Chiefs could have won their 16th game in the final week but rested all of their starters to prepare for the playoffs. The Chiefs allowed a stellar 19.5 PPG (fourth-fewest) and were top-10 in terms of passing and rushing yards allowed. Even though their offense was not as effective, Reid was able to lead the way to another excellent season.
Grade: A+
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
Antonio Pierce was promoted to the head coaching role in the middle of the 2023 season and held a 5-4 record during his short stint. However, during his first full season, Pierce took a significant step back as he led the Raiders to a disappointing 4-13 record. Their offense failed to produce, scoring just 18.2 PPG (fourth-fewest) and allowing the 25.2 PPG (eighth-most)
Grade: D-
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh
After leading Michigan to a National Championship in 2023, Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. In his first season in Los Angeles, he led the Chargers to an impressive 11-6 record, a stark increase from the 5-12 record the team held the previous season. His defense was one of the best in the sport, as they allowed the fewest points per game (17.7).
Grade: A
Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay
Despite missing his top two receivers for most of the season, Sean McVay led the Rams to their second-straight 10-win season. McVay has only had one losing season throughout his eight-year tenure in Los Angeles. When the team got healthy, the Rams were one of the best teams in the league down the stretch, as they won six of their last seven games (excluding Week 18, when the starters rested).
Grade: A
Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
The Miami Dolphins had a disappointing as they missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Mike McDaniel. After averaging the most yards per game in 2023 (401.3), the offense averaged just 325.4 per game this season, which was just below the average marks. While their No. 1 quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, missed time, McDaniel could not get the team back on track.
Grade: D
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell
Even after losing his franchise quarterback to a season-ending injury during the preseason, Kevin O’Connell was able to lead the Vikings to a 14-win season, which tied them for the second-best record in the conference. O’Connell was able to help former top QB prospect Sam Darnold find his footing in the NFL after struggling with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. They scored the ninth-most PPG (25.4) while allowing the fifth-fewest PPG (19.5).
Grade: A+
New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo’s tenure in New England lasted just one season, as he was relieved of his duties at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Mayo led the Patriots to a disappointing 4-13 record. While rookie QB Drake Maye showed flashes of elite upside at times, Mayo was never able to help him produce consistently as the team scored the third-fewest PPG (17.0).
Grade: F
New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen
After having a solid 9-8 record during his first season with New Orleans in 2023, Dennis Allen was unable to get the team on track in 2024, as he was terminated after Week 9. He was able to win his first two games in quite demanding fashion but then proceeded to lose seven straight before being relieved. While the team had several injuries to key players such as Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Derek Carr, Allen could not break the losing skid and salvage the season.
Grade: F
New York Giants: Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll has seen his record decline each consecutive season. In 2024, Daboll and the New York Giants held a 3-14 record, a drop from the 6-11 record in 2023, and the 9-7-1 record in 2022. While there were a few bright spots on the team, such as breakout rookie Malik Nabers, the offense scored the second-fewest PPG (16.1). However, the defense was near the middle of the pack as they allowed the 12-fewest PPG (24.4).
Grade: D-
New York Jets: Robert Saleh
After Aaron Rodgers missed the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles, the New York Jets carried lofty expectations heading into the 2024 season. However, Saleh was relieved of his job following Week 5. He won just two games. While this firing may have been premature, as the Jets only won three more games during the remainder of the season, Saleh could not lead a team that had playoff aspirations.
Grade: D
Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni
After a quick playoff exit in 2023, Nick Sirianni got his team back on track as they won 14 games in 2204 en route to capturing the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The Eagles were dominant on both sides of the ball. Saquon Barkley led their offensive attack as he ran for over 2,000 yards. On defense, the Eagles allowed the fewest yards-per-game (278.4) and second-fewest PPG (17.8).
Grade: A+
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin extended his impressive streak by leading the Steelers to their 18th-straight non-losing season. This season, the Steelers held a 10-7 record (identical to 2023) and qualified as a wild card for the postseason. Their defense led the way again as they allowed the eighth-fewest PPG (20.4). They were dominant in stopping the run, allowing just 98.7 rushing yards per game.
Grade: B
San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan
After making the Super Bowl in 2023, the San Francisco 49ers took a steep step back in 2024 as they finished with a 6-11 record, which was the lowest in the NFC West. While the 49ers had several key players injured, Kyle Shanahan could not lead them back to the playoffs. However, Shanahan developed quarterback Brock Purdy further as the San Francisco offense averaged 376 yards per game without running back Christian McCaffrey, the fourth-highest mark in the league.
Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald
Mike Macdonald held a 10-7 record in his first season as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, the team fell just short of a playoff birth after losing a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle tallied the 14th-most average yards per game (332.2) while allowing the 15th-fewest yards per game (322.7).
Grade: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles
Todd Bowles led the Bucannerss to another NFC South Title as they held a 10-7 record, a one-game increase from their 2023 record. The Tampa offense was one of the best units in the sport as they scored fourth-most PPG (29.5) and placed within the top five in both passing and rushing yards per game. However, their defense was near the middle of the pack as they allowed the 16th-most PPG.
Grade: A-
Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan
Brian Callahan had a difficult debut season in Tennessee. He led them to a 3-14 record, which tied them with the Cleveland Browns for the lowest record in the conference. On defense, they allowed the third-most PPG (27.1) and could not counter that on the offensive side of the ball. The Tennessee offense tallied just 304.2 yards per game (seventh-fewest) in the league.
Grade: D
Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn
After winning just four games in 2023, newly hired head coach Dan Quinn was able to flip the script in his first season. He led the Commanders to a 12-5 record and a playoff birth as the No.6 seed in the NFC. Quinn did a fantastic job in developing rookie QB Jayden Daniels as the Washington offense averaged an impressive 28.5 PPG (fifth-most in the league).
Grade: A+
