Ranking Every NFL Offensive Play-Caller
NFL offenses have evolved in recent years - but who are the masterminds driving those changes?
As teams report to mandatory minicamp in the coming days, we’re ranking every NFL offensive play-caller—head coaches and coordinators alike—by their effectiveness, creativity, overall impact, and track record of success heading into the 2025 season.
We’re not ranking four play-callers with no prior NFL experience: Tanner Engstrand (New York Jets), Nick Caley (Houston Texans), Josh Grizzard (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Kevin Patullo (Philadelphia Eagles).
They’re not being left out of the piece entirely—thoughts on each are included in a separate section at the back end of the write-up.
1. Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Shanahan enters the 2025 season still firmly entrenched as the standard for offensive play-callers in the NFL. San Francisco may have fallen short of the playoffs last year, but Shanahan’s offense still finished 11th in EPA per play despite injuries to key players.
Once defined by play-action boots and stretch-zone runs, the "Shanahan offense" has become more of a myth than a fixed identity. The 2024 version of San Francisco’s attack featured a noticeable drop in play-action usage, instead leaning into intermediate and vertical concepts that opened up the field in new ways.
That adaptability is what makes Shanahan unmatched. He’s not just calling plays—he’s constructing a system like an architect, shaping each detail to fit his personnel.
2. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
No coach has reshaped his offense more fluidly over time. The system McVay built for Jared Goff is unrecognizable from the one now led by Matthew Stafford—and even that version has continued to evolve.
The Rams finished in the top 10 in offensive EPA in 2024 after moving away from their traditional zone-run foundation, leaning into more gap-scheme concepts that diversified the run game and created cleaner throwing lanes.
They mixed in pistol formations from late 2023, empty sets reminiscent of 2021, and a more conventional dropback approach. McVay’s flexibility remains his greatest strength: he adapts to his roster, outpaces trends, and rarely calls the same game twice.
3. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Reid’s offense continues to operate on its own timeline. Kansas City spent much of the 2024 season experimenting and adjusting, often using the regular season as a testing ground for what would matter most in January—and, as usual, it worked.
Even with ongoing issues at wide receiver and along the offensive line, Reid’s unit still finished 10th in EPA per play. The structure and sequencing remain sharp, but the offense has become more conservative, often relying on Patrick Mahomes to bail it out in critical moments.
Reid remains one of the league’s premier offensive minds. The explosive style that once defined his teams has evolved into something more methodical—less about highlight plays and more about precision, spacing, and long-term payoff. It’s not always thrilling, but it’s still expertly executed.
4. Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
O’Connell has quickly carved out a reputation as one of the NFL’s most inventive play-callers. The 2024 Coach of the Year continued to build on that momentum last season, guiding an offense that thrived on timing, rhythm, and quarterback-friendly design—even with the mistake-prone Sam Darnold under center.
A product of the McVay coaching tree, O’Connell has put his stamp on the system. His use of layered route concepts, paired with well-timed pre-snap motion, consistently opened up crossers, outs, and digs, giving his quarterbacks clean reads and high-percentage throws.
Few offenses were better at generating separation and simplifying progressions. With O’Connell’s structure in place, J.J. McCarthy has every opportunity to succeed.
5. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
During the 2024 season, LaFleur crafted a functional offense around Malik Willis early on, then pivoted midyear to a more vertical, aggressive system once Jordan Love returned. Despite some turnovers, the Packers finished 11th in offensive EPA—impressive for a unit that was the youngest in the NFL.
LaFleur’s run designs remain among the league’s most creative, often using multiple looks to arrive at the same split-zone concept, keeping defenses off balance. The scheme maximized movement and misdirection while maintaining structure across shifting personnel.
Jordan Love is one of the most entertaining quarterbacks to watch—sometimes erratic, often electric—and LaFleur has built a system that channels that energy into explosive, functional offense.
6. Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
After crafting one of the NFL’s most efficient and well-structured offenses in Detroit, Johnson now faces a much different challenge in Chicago. The talent along the offensive line isn’t the same, and the quarterback brings a far different skill set than Jared Goff.
But if Johnson’s track record means anything, it’s that he knows how to adapt. While his trick plays often grab the highlights, it’s Johnson’s ability to layer concepts and build sequencing week to week that separates him from most play-callers.
His offenses have consistently played to the strengths of the roster, using motion, misdirection, and game-planning precision to generate explosive results without sacrificing structure.
The Bears were one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, adding reinforcements across the offensive line and drafting multiple young skill players to support Caleb Williams. Johnson’s arrival may prove the most important piece. If his past success in tailoring systems to personnel translates, Chicago’s offense has a real chance to grow quickly and become one of the league’s most intriguing units by season’s end.
7. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
McDaniel remains one of the NFL’s most distinct play-callers, but the 2024 season exposed some limitations in Miami’s high-variance approach. Built on timing, speed, and quick decision-making, the Dolphins’ offense demands rapid processing from the quarterback and elite acceleration from receivers—traits that didn’t translate when backup quarterbacks were forced into action.
Tua Tagovailoa held things together, and when he was on the field, Miami averaged 0.08 EPA per play—tied with the Eagles for eighth-best in the league. But the offense lacked the year-over-year adaptation McDaniel had previously shown.
Unlike past seasons, there was no true curveball. The run game, once the league’s best, cratered in efficiency, though McDaniel found ways to use De’Von Achane creatively in the passing game to compensate.
There’s no denying the scheme can be electric when it hits, but the Dolphins may have reached a plateau. The volatility remains high, and at this point, we largely know what to expect. McDaniel’s vision is clear, but without a new layer of evolution, it might be losing some of its edge.
8. Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens
Monken’s second year in Baltimore delivered one of the league’s most well-rounded and explosive offenses. The Ravens led the NFL in total yards, ranked first in rushing, seventh in passing, and finished third in both scoring and third-down efficiency. But the most notable growth came through the air.
Lamar Jackson looked more composed than ever as a pocket passer, and much of that improvement stemmed from Monken’s passing concepts—the most open and layered route designs Jackson has worked with in his NFL career. The offense maintained its identity on the ground but added a new level of rhythm and spacing in the passing game.
Monken also displayed his adaptability with personnel. The Ravens used fewer 11 personnel than nearly any team in the league, regularly shifting into 12, 21, and 22 groupings, creating unpredictability and balance in both the run and pass.
9. Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
The early weeks of the 2024 season were rocky, but once Payton identified what Bo Nix handled well—quick reads, rhythm throws, and controlled pocket movement—he reshaped the offense around those strengths.
The result was a surprisingly efficient unit. Payton leaned into a well-designed screen game and a crisp short-passing attack, which kept Nix on schedule and minimized his early tendency to drift under pressure.
As the season progressed, the quick game set up deeper shots, and Nix grew more comfortable pushing the ball downfield within structure. The Broncos were one of the league’s most improved teams in 2024, and while questions remain about Nix’s long-term ceiling, Payton’s impact on the offense was undeniable.
10. Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills
Brady took over a Buffalo offense in transition and turned it into one of the most balanced and effective units in the league. What was supposed to be a soft reset became a recalibration, centered on efficiency, rhythm, and smarter aggression from Josh Allen, who put together his best season as a pro.
Brady's design emphasized shorter throws over the middle and a reliable ground game with James Cook, reducing risk and giving Allen the structure to be more selective when attacking downfield. That blend of control and explosiveness helped restore consistency to an offense that had become overly reliant on highlight plays.
Buffalo’s offensive line played like a top-10 unit last season and should continue to be a strength. While the team lacks a true No. 1 pass-catcher, the scheme rarely stalls ever.
11. Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints
Moore’s path to a head coaching role hasn’t been smooth, but his growth as a play-caller has been steady. After flashes of creativity in Dallas and a bumpy stint with the Chargers, he finally had full control of a talented offense in Philadelphia—and delivered.
With a dominant offensive line and Saquon Barkley in the backfield, Moore built one of the league’s most well-rounded ground attacks and layered in modern passing concepts that gave Jalen Hurts answers against pressure and structure on early downs.
That success earned him the opportunity in New Orleans, but the situation is far different. The Saints don’t boast the same caliber of talent across the board, and Moore will need to get creative with a roster that lacks depth and explosiveness.
Chris Olave’s health remains a question, Alvin Kamara is aging, and second-round pick Tyler Shough enters as one of the less-heralded rookie quarterbacks. Still, Moore’s run-game design has always been a strength, and his evolution as a passing architect in Philadelphia showed what he can do when given the reins.
The challenge now is elevating a much thinner offense—and proving his approach can travel.
12. Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders
Kingsbury entered 2024 with plenty of skepticism surrounding his offensive system, but by season’s end, most of those concerns had been put to rest. While he retained the up-tempo DNA from his Arizona days, Kingsbury showed clear growth—using more motion, moving skill players around, and shedding the static formations that once limited his units.
Perhaps most importantly, Kingsbury built a system tailored to Jayden Daniels’ strengths and developed it week by week. There was a clear progression to the offense, with new wrinkles added as Daniels grew more comfortable.
The result was a dynamic, efficient attack that played fast but felt composed—an ideal pairing for one of the league’s most electric young quarterbacks.
Washington still has plenty of questions on the defensive side of the ball, but the offensive identity is in place. Kingsbury’s evolution as a play-caller and his work developing Daniels make the Commanders one of the more intriguing offenses to watch heading into 2025.
13. Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Coen’s arrival in Jacksonville comes after one of the most quietly outstanding coaching performances of the 2024 season. As Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, he helped engineer the league’s fourth-best offense by EPA per play, designing a quick-hitting scheme that maximized efficiency without overburdening Baker Mayfield.
The Buccaneers led the NFL in screen success and trailed only Baltimore in run-game efficiency—a testament to Coen’s ability to create balance and rhythm. His play designs consistently opened up the intermediate middle of the field, a high-value area that became a reliable space for Mayfield to operate.
Now in Jacksonville, he inherits a more dynamic set of tools. With Trevor Lawrence under center and explosive playmakers like Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. in the mix, the ceiling is high. Add in a defensive front that can create consistent pressure, and this is a roster built to win.
14. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
The Browns' offense has been in flux for several seasons, and much of the inconsistency hasn’t fallen on Stefanski. Injuries, quarterback turnover, and schematic resets have kept Cleveland from establishing a clear offensive identity.
But even during last season’s stretch with Jameis Winston, there were glimpses of what Stefanski has long envisioned—timing, structure, and efficiency through play-action and tight formations.
After a failed experiment with Ken Dorsey aimed at tailoring the offense to Deshaun Watson, Stefanski is reclaiming full control of the play-calling in 2025. What that looks like remains to be seen, especially with one of the most unpredictable quarterback rooms in recent memory: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders all vying for reps.
Combine that with a shaky offensive line and a thin receiving corps, and the margins for error are slim.
Still, Stefanski has shown he can elevate flawed personnel with sound structure and sequencing. His track record with the run game and ability to design manageable reads for his quarterbacks give Cleveland at least a chance to stay functional, if not always exciting.
15. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
Few coaches in 2024 improved their stock more steadily over the course of the season than Canales. What began with growing pains—highlighted by Bryce Young’s early struggles and a brief benching—evolved into one of the league’s more quietly efficient offenses.
An early-season reset with Andy Dalton brought structure, and when Young returned, he looked more confident, composed, and in control.
From Week 10 on, Carolina ranked 12th in offensive EPA per play, with a run game that surged to seventh in the league during the second half of the year. That turnaround helped ease concerns about Canales’ limitations as a play-caller in Tampa Bay and showed his ability to build a system that suits his quarterback.
16. Drew Petzing, Arizona Cardinals
Petzing remains one of the more intriguing offensive minds in the league. His scripted sequences are among the best in football—Arizona ranked second in both EPA per drive and touchdown rate on opening possessions in 2024, a testament to Petzing’s ability to build sharp, well-prepared plans to start games.
But while the opening punches often landed, the offense struggled to adjust over the course of games. The chemistry between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. never quite clicked, with the system leaning too heavily on back-shoulder throws and isolation routes that limited rhythm and flow. The potential was there, but the execution didn’t always match.
Still, Petzing has shown flashes of creativity and structure, and the early-drive success is no fluke. What’s missing is the next step—real-time adaptability and cohesion between quarterback and playmaker.
The Cardinals didn’t make many major additions this offseason, so the pressure now falls on internal growth.
17. Chip Kelly, Las Vegas Raiders
No hire this offseason drew more curiosity than Kelly’s arrival in Las Vegas. A decade removed from his NFL head coaching days, Kelly returns as the Raiders’ offensive architect with a reputation for innovation—and a need to prove he can evolve.
His past struggles stemmed from a lack of in-game adjustment, but his more recent stints at UCLA and Ohio State showed flashes of creativity, particularly in the run game and with tempo.
This Raiders offense has the potential to be far more explosive than it was in 2024. The additions of Geno Smith, dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty, and versatile pass-catcher Jack Bech give Kelly far more flexibility to stretch the field and build rhythm.
His system should benefit from Smith’s timing and Jeanty’s ability to create in space.
18. Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
Steichen entered 2024 with high expectations after maximizing Gardner Minshew the year prior, creating real optimism about what a full season with Anthony Richardson might bring. But the offense never fully found its stride.
Missed layups, a heavy reliance on deep shots, and an inconsistent run game usage for Richardson made the Colts' attack feel disjointed more often than dangerous.
There were flashes—Steichen’s ability to build systems around his personnel is still one of his strengths—but the lack of week-to-week cohesion was hard to ignore. Whether that was due to Richardson's development curve or play-calling hesitancy, the offense left plenty on the table.
19. Brian Daboll, New York Giants
Since taking over in New York, Daboll’s offensive results have swung wildly—from Coach of the Year highs to frustrating stretches marked by inconsistency and unclear direction. A tug-of-war over play-calling responsibilities with coordinator Mike Kafka hasn’t helped, and the offense has often felt like it’s patching holes rather than executing a cohesive vision.
There were flashes in 2024, particularly in how Daboll schemed looks for young wideout Malik Nabers, whose explosiveness gave the unit much-needed juice. But the overreliance on short-yardage options like Wan’Dale Robinson on critical downs raised questions, not just about play design, but also about the overall talent distribution and offensive identity.
The quarterback room only adds to the uncertainty. With Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart all in the mix, the Giants may be cycling through answers without finding one.
If Daboll ever gets the chance to build around a quarterback of his choosing, we might see a more focused and efficient offense. Until then, the flashes remain just that—flashes.
20. Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson’s first season as an NFL offensive coordinator came with a steep learning curve. He started the year adapting to the limitations of Kirk Cousins, then had to pivot midseason to build an offense around rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Despite the turbulence, Robinson managed to establish a functional—and at times electric—offensive identity. His passing concepts consistently attacked the middle of the field, using smart pre-snap motion and alignment changes to generate mismatches.
That, combined with a strong ground game built around Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, gave Atlanta a balanced and flexible attack down the stretch.
Penix showed real flashes late in the year, and even if his development takes time, the combination of Drake London, Bijan, and Kyle Pitts gives this offense real firepower.
21. Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s offense remains one of the league’s most dangerous—and most quarterback-driven. With Joe Burrow at the controls, Zac Taylor has leaned heavily into shotgun looks, empty formations, and one-on-one opportunities on the outside.
It’s a system tailored to Burrow’s strengths, but one that can feel overly reliant on his precision and decision-making. Still, the results speak for themselves.
The Bengals just completed their most productive offensive season under Taylor, with Burrow frequently asked to throw while trailing and still delivering high-level efficiency. When the run game finds its footing, the offense becomes even more difficult to contain, but it’s rarely the focal point.
Taylor has shown growth in blending the pass-first approach with more functional ground concepts, though the fit isn’t always seamless.
22. Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots
McDaniels enters his third stint with the Patriots facing familiar questions. Outside of his time calling plays for Tom Brady—and a promising rookie season with Mac Jones—his offenses have lacked consistency and punch. Now, with Drake Maye at the helm, McDaniels has a chance to reshape that narrative.
Maye brings a level of arm talent and mobility that McDaniels hasn’t often had to work with, and his potential as both a passer and runner opens the door to a more modern, balanced attack. If McDaniels can blend his traditionally strong run concepts with timely play-action and designed movement, this offense could finally feel multidimensional again.
New England also made smart additions this offseason, bringing in explosive playmakers like TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams to help stretch the field and take pressure off their young quarterback. The pieces are there—now it’s on McDaniels to evolve.
23. Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans
Callahan’s first year in Tennessee came with more questions than answers. Between the erratic play of Will Levis and a limited supporting cast, it was difficult to get a clear read on his play-calling.
Things looked marginally better with Mason Rudolph under center—the offense leaned into a more controlled short game, and the success rate climbed from 38% to 43%—but it was more about survival than identity.
The roster around Cam Ward remains a major concern. Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett bring name recognition, but both are past their peaks, and the depth chart behind them is thin. The run game lacks punch, and outside of a few bright spots on defense, the team feels talent-starved in too many areas for Callahan to elevate it.
24. John Morton, Detroit Lions
John Morton’s return to play-calling comes with both intrigue and uncertainty. He last called plays in 2017 for a Jets team that overachieved through the air with Josh McCown, ranking 16th in EPA per dropback despite limited talent.
Since then, he’s bounced between assistant roles with the Lions, Raiders, and Broncos—but this marks his first time back in full control of an offense in nearly a decade.
Detroit’s decision to hand Morton the reins after Ben Johnson’s departure suggests internal confidence, and the roster certainly gives him plenty to work with. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams form one of the most exciting young skill groups in the league, and the offensive line remains among the NFL’s best when healthy.
The questions lie in how Morton will maximize that talent, particularly with Jared Goff under center. Goff's limitations in creating outside of structure and pushing the ball downfield consistently cap the offense’s explosiveness, and Detroit's defense hasn’t shown enough to take pressure off the offense in key moments.
25. Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks
Kubiak heads to Seattle after a turbulent but instructive year in New Orleans, where the offense held together better than expected despite injuries and roster attrition. While the early weeks didn’t reflect the long-term plan, the core elements of Kubiak’s system—outside zone runs and play-action passing—remained steady and effective throughout.
Now in Seattle, Kubiak faces a new challenge: installing a play-action-heavy offense on a team that used it less than any other in 2024. The Seahawks offensive line has clear vulnerabilities, and Kubiak’s success will hinge on whether he can mask those flaws while creating rhythm throws and defined reads for his quarterbacks.
Kubiak has the schematic tools to build a functional attack. Whether the Seahawks have the personnel to execute it remains the bigger question.
26. Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Arthur Smith’s arrival in Pittsburgh was meant to bring stability through the run game and play-action, but the 2024 season rarely offered either. Known for building physical, ground-first offenses, Smith struggled to find rhythm behind a shaky offensive line and mediocre quarterback play.
Once Russell Wilson took over, the offense became reliant on isolated deep shots—moonballs that occasionally connected but rarely came by design. Explosive plays were more a matter of chance than structure, and the lack of consistent sequencing or easy throws left the Steelers stuck in neutral for much of the season.
Smith still carries a reputation as a creative run designer, but without better blocking or a defined identity in the passing game, the system felt disjointed. Adding Aaron Rodgers to the fold introduces more unpredictability, but he’s still an upgrade over what Pittsburgh had last season.
27. Greg Roman, Los Angeles Chargers
At this point in his career, Roman is a known quantity. He’s a creative and committed run-game architect, but his offenses have long struggled to keep pace with modern passing trends. Spacing, route combinations, and overall flow in the dropback game remain limited—an awkward fit for a quarterback like Justin Herbert, whose best traits deserve a more expansive system.
In 2024, the Chargers’ offense leaned heavily on Herbert’s ability to create. With a shaky offensive line and few easy throws built into the structure, Herbert was forced to scramble more than ever, often bailing out plays that had little chance from the start.
It worked in flashes—largely because Herbert is that good—but it was rarely sustainable.
There’s reason for optimism, though. Rookie additions Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris bring explosiveness to the offense, and the defense has a solid foundation in place. But unless Roman evolves his passing concepts and adapts to what Herbert does best, the ceiling of this offense will remain tied to how often the quarterback can overcome its limitations.
28. Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys
Brian Schottenheimer’s reputation as a play-caller is well-established—steady, conservative, and rarely one to push boundaries. His previous stops have often come under head coaches who favor caution, and his offenses have typically followed suit. In Dallas, however, there’s at least some potential for evolution.
At his introductory press conference, Schottenheimer spoke about incorporating more modern concepts into the offense, and with full control of the play sheet for the first time in years, this could be a chance to reframe how his system operates. Whether that actually materializes remains to be seen.
Dak Prescott has repeatedly shown he can play at an All-Pro level, and the new pairing of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens offers one of the more exciting receiving duos in the league. But the Cowboys’ offseason didn’t move the needle much, and after years of primetime exposure, there’s a sense of familiarity—if not stagnation—around this offense.
Too Early to Rank
Josh Grizzard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grizzard takes over as offensive coordinator with a rare advantage for someone in his position: continuity. After serving as Tampa Bay’s pass game coordinator last season, he steps into the lead role following Liam Coen’s departure to Jacksonville—becoming the second straight Bucs coordinator to turn a season with Baker Mayfield into a head coaching job.
Rather than overhauling the system, Grizzard is keeping much of Coen’s structure intact. That decision offers a smoother transition not just for Mayfield but for the entire offense.
Grizzard’s challenge isn’t building from scratch—it’s sustaining and expanding on the foundation left behind. That’s no small task, especially for a team that’s won four straight NFC South titles but stalled in the postseason.
Kevin Patullo, Philadelphia Eagles
Patullo steps into one of the NFL’s most high-profile offensive roles—and one of its most scrutinized. After four years working closely with Jalen Hurts, Patullo takes over as offensive coordinator for the reigning Super Bowl champions, inheriting a roster loaded with firepower and expectations.
He knows the personnel well. From Hurts’ preferences and tendencies to the explosive capabilities of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley, Patullo has a deep understanding of what this offense can do. But replacing Kellen Moore means more than managing talent—it requires redefining how the Eagles attack defenses.
That’s where the unknowns begin. Patullo has never called plays at the college or NFL level in over two decades of coaching. While his rapport with the quarterback and familiarity with the system offer a strong foundation, he’ll need to grow into the role quickly to keep this offense humming.
Tanner, Engstrand, New York Jets
Engstrand steps into one of the NFL’s most volatile offensive roles, becoming the Jets’ 12th play-caller in the last 16 seasons. A former pass game coordinator with the Detroit Lions, Engstrand now faces the challenge of bringing structure and progress to an offense still searching for stability.
At the center of this reset is Justin Fields—a dynamic, entertaining quarterback whose mobility offers upside, but whose inconsistency demands a well-tailored scheme. Engstrand’s early focus will be on simplifying the system, maximizing Fields’ legs, and leaning into the team’s clearest strength: the backfield.
With Breece Hall and second-year bruiser Braelon Allen, the Jets are built to run, and that’s likely where the offense will begin. The pass-catching group has a clear No. 1 in Garrett Wilson and some capable pieces around him, including Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard, but depth and explosiveness remain concerns.
Beyond a few core playmakers, the offensive infrastructure is still underdeveloped—a reflection of a roster in the early stages of a longer retooling process.
Nick Caley, Houston Texans
Nick Caley inherits an offense with a rising star at quarterback—but also one teetering on regression. After Bobby Slowik’s strong first year as play-caller in 2023, the Texans’ offense stalled in 2024.
C.J. Stroud took a clear step back, absorbing 52 sacks (second most in the league) and seeing his interception total more than double from the year before. That decline, coupled with persistent protection issues, led head coach DeMeco Ryans to make a change, bringing in Caley and pairing him with first-year offensive line coach Cole Popovich.
Caley, previously the tight ends coach for the Rams, now faces the tall task of reviving an offense whose structure has eroded faster than expected. While Stroud remains a dynamic talent with elite processing and arm talent, the unit around him, particularly the offensive line, has fallen into disrepair.
Caley’s ability to design quicker reads, implement better protection schemes, and help Stroud stay upright will define the offense’s ceiling in 2025.