Assessing the Current Landscape of NFL Offensive Coordinators
February 15th, 2024 at 8:28pm CST • By Sam Robinson
The recent offseason has witnessed significant turnover in the offensive coordinator position across the NFL. Several decisions made in January and February have resulted in a complete overhaul, with no OC currently serving in their role for more than two seasons. As a result, the 2022 batch of hires now stands as the longest-tenured offensive coordinators in the league.
Pete Carmichael, one of the NFL’s longest-tenured coordinators in history, has parted ways with the Saints after an impressive 15-season tenure that included occasional play-calling responsibilities. The Browns have also made a change by dismissing their non-play-calling offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, after his four-year stint. Additionally, Arthur Smith and Shane Waldron, who called plays for their respective teams for three seasons, will be joining new organizations this winter. On the other hand, Brian Callahan’s five-year tenure as the Bengals’ non-play-calling OC has earned him a prominent position elsewhere.
Analyzing the Current State of NFL Offensive Coordinators
February 15th, 2024 at 8:28pm CST • By Sam Robinson
The recent offseason has highlighted the significant turnover that can occur in the offensive coordinator position within the NFL. Multiple decisions made in January and February have resulted in a scenario where no OC currently holds their role for more than two seasons. As a result, the 2022 hires now stand as the longest-tenured offensive coordinators in the league.
Pete Carmichael, who boasts one of the lengthiest tenures as an NFL coordinator, has departed from the Saints after an impressive 15-season tenure, during which he also took on part-time play-calling duties. The Browns have also made a change by parting ways with their non-play-calling OC, Alex Van Pelt, after his four-year tenure. In addition, Arthur Smith and Shane Waldron, who served as play-callers for their respective teams over the past three years, will be joining new organizations this winter. On the other hand, Brian Callahan’s five-year tenure as the Bengals’ non-play-calling OC has earned him a prominent position elsewhere.
This offseason witnessed a slight deviation from the recent trend of hiring offense-oriented head coaches, with five out of the eight head coaching positions being filled by leaders with a defensive background. Callahan, Dave Canales, and Jim Harbaugh were the only offense-focused candidates hired during this cycle. However, half of the NFL teams will enter the upcoming season with a new offensive coordinator. Following the Seahawks’ decision to hire former Washington and Alabama staff member Ryan Grubb, here is an overview of the current landscape of NFL offensive coordinators.
2022 OC hires
Assessing NFL’s OC Landscape
February 15th, 2024 at 8:28pm CST • By Sam Robinson
This offseason showed the turnover that can take place at the offensive coordinator position. As a result of several decisions in January and February, the NFL no longer has an OC who has been in his current role for more than two seasons. Various firings and defections now have the 2022 batch of hires stationed as the longest-tenured OCs.
One of the longest-tenured coordinators in NFL history, Pete Carmichael is no longer with the Saints. The team moved on after 15 seasons, a stay that featured part-time play-calling duties. The Browns canned their four-year non-play-calling OC, Alex Van Pelt, while three-year play-callers Arthur Smith and Shane Waldron are relocating this winter. Brian Callahan‘s five-year gig as the Bengals’ non-play-calling OC booked him a top job.
The recent lean toward offense-oriented HCs took a bit of a hit of a hit this offseason, with five of the eight jobs going to defense-oriented leaders. Callahan, Dave Canales and Jim Harbaugh were the only offense-geared candidates hired during this cycle. But half the NFL will go into this season with a new OC. Following the Seahawks’ decision to hire ex-Washington (and, briefly, Alabama) staffer Ryan Grubb, here is how the NFL’s OC landscape looks:
2022 OC hires
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions*
Mike Kafka, New York Giants*
Wes Phillips, Minnesota Vikings
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins
Adam Stenavich, Green Bay Packers
Press Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars*
Despite being the seasoned group of offensive coordinators, it is noteworthy that this is the first time each of them has held the position of an NFL OC. Interestingly, three out of the six coordinators garnered interest for head coaching positions during this offseason.
The status of Johnson in Detroit has been a prominent storyline during the offseason, which has not been received well by the Commanders. Johnson, who served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator for two years, was considered the frontrunner for the Washington head coaching job for several weeks. However, the Commanders’ front office did not receive confirmation about Johnson’s intention to remain in Detroit and delay his expected move to a head coaching position until their contingent was en route to Detroit for a second interview. This led to a back-and-forth discussion about what exactly went wrong in the communication. Johnson is still expected to be a highly sought-after head coaching candidate next year, but for the 2024 season, he will continue to serve under Dan Campbell in Detroit.
Kafka, who interviewed for the Seahawks’ head coaching position, faced a setback when the Giants prevented him from meeting with the NFC West team regarding their offensive coordinator position. There have been rumors circulating about Kafka and Brian Daboll having a strained relationship, with Daboll reclaiming play-calling duties from Kafka at various points during the 2023 season, despite Kafka being given those responsibilities prior to the 2022 season. Taylor, the offensive coordinator for the Jaguars, may also be under scrutiny as his team’s performance has not met expectations. Taylor was entrusted with the play-calling duties by Doug Pederson last season, but Trevor Lawrence’s progress did not match the anticipated level. Following a late-season collapse that resulted in the Jaguars missing the playoffs, the team started evaluating its offensive situation.
2023 OC hires
Jim Bob Cooter, Indianapolis Colts
Nathaniel Hackett, New York Jets*
Mike LaFleur, Los Angeles Rams
Joe Lombardi, Denver Broncos
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens*
Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs
Drew Petzing, Arizona Cardinals*
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys
Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans*
Out of the 15 offensive coordinators hired in 2023, only nine remain with their respective teams. One of them, Canales, was promoted within his organization, while the others were let go after their teams fired the head coach. Notably, the Eagles were the only team that hired an offensive coordinator last year to dismiss that individual, Brian Johnson, after just one season. Nick Sirianni, the head coach of the Eagles, made the decision to fire both of his coordinators following a highly disappointing finish to the season.
There are concerns that Hackett, based on what transpired last year in New York, may be in a precarious position. There have been rumors that Robert Saleh, the head coach of the Jets, who is also under significant pressure, has taken away some of Hackett’s offensive play-calling responsibilities. This is Hackett’s fourth opportunity to call plays in the NFL, having previously done so for the Bills, Jaguars, and Broncos before joining the Jets. After the Broncos ranked last in scoring in 2022, the Jets’ offense ranked 31st in total offense in 2023. Hackett has largely relied on his relationship with Aaron Rodgers to maintain his position, but the 2024 season may represent a final chance for the embattled coach.
Among this group of offensive coordinators, Monken and Slowik were the only ones to receive interest for head coaching positions. However, neither emerged as frontrunners for a head coaching role, although Slowik met with the Commanders on two occasions. The Texans decided to give Slowik, their first-time play-caller, a raise to ensure he remains with the team for C.J. Stroud’s second season. Stroud’s impressive progress is likely to keep Slowik on the radar for head coaching opportunities. Monken, who is now in his third stint as an NFL offensive coordinator following previous roles in Tampa and Cleveland, played a significant role in helping Lamar Jackson win his second MVP award. Although Jackson struggled against the Chiefs, Monken had an overall successful season.
Schottenheimer is currently in his fourth stint as an offensive coordinator, while Lombardi is on his third team in that role. Lombardi’s job is likely more secure, as he is tied to head coach Sean Payton in New Orleans. On the other hand, the situation in Dallas is less stable, with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy being considered a lame-duck coach. In that context, the coordinators in Dallas should not become too comfortable, as changes could be on the horizon.
2024 OC hires
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills*
Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
Ken Dorsey, Cleveland Browns
Luke Getsy, Las Vegas Raiders*
Ryan Grubb, Seattle Seahawks*
Nick Holz, Tennessee Titans
Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders*
Klint Kubiak, New Orleans Saints*
Brad Idzik, Carolina Panthers
Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles*
Dan Pitcher, Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons*
Greg Roman, Los Angeles Chargers*
Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers*
Alex Van Pelt, New England Patriots*
Shane Waldron, Chicago Bears*
The San Francisco 49ers operate without a traditional offensive coordinator, distinguishing them from most other NFL teams. Among the 31 teams that do employ an offensive coordinator, a significant number have recently made changes in that position. However, many of the teams that added offensive coordinators this year did so without hiring play-calling coaches. This raises the stakes for this year’s group of offensive coordinator hires, as they will be taking on significant responsibilities without the support of a designated play-caller.
Retreads have become popular choices for offensive coordinator positions this year. Dorsey, Getsy, Moore, Van Pelt, and Waldron all held OC positions with other teams (Buffalo, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Seattle, respectively) last season. However, Dorsey, Getsy, and Van Pelt were fired from their previous roles, while Moore and Waldron moved on after their teams changed head coaches. Moore and Smith will be taking on their third OC jobs, with Moore having held three OC positions in three years.
Coen, Kingsbury, and Roman are returning to coaching after a year away. Kingsbury, in particular, gained popularity as a potential OC candidate due to his coaching of Caleb Williams last season. This will be his second opportunity as an NFL play-caller, having previously served as the Cardinals’ play-caller during his time as head coach. Coen will have his first chance at calling plays in the professional ranks, after serving as Sean McVay’s non-play-calling assistant in 2022. Roman, who is likely to become the Chargers’ play-caller, will have a rare fourth opportunity to call plays in the NFL. He previously held that responsibility under Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco and had subsequent stints in Buffalo and Baltimore working under non-offensive-minded head coaches.
Grubb, Holz, Idzik, Pitcher, and Robinson are among the first-time offensive coordinators this year. Grubb has some experience calling plays at the college level, while Robinson is the latest coach from Sean McVay’s staff to take on a play-calling role. Robinson served as a Rams assistant for five years before being brought on by Raheem Morris in Atlanta. Pitcher also garnered interest in several OC searches, but the Bengals, who had extended his contract last year, promoted him to fill Bill Callahan’s former role.
