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One yr has handed for the reason that debut of our quarterback/coach duo rankings, and many has modified within the prime 10. The checklist was sure to have new members and others depart the group, however some entered the chat in an even bigger means than anticipated.
Final season was the yr Josh Allen turned a MVP candidate (who would have predicted that heading into the season?) and Baker Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years. It was actually an unpredictable yr; simply have a look at the Tremendous Bowl champions.
Earlier than we scroll right down to the 2021 quarterback/head coach rankings, let’s revisit the {qualifications} for this checklist. There was a purpose Tom Brady was off the checklist final yr and Sean McVay is omitted this yr.
- New head coaches and quarterbacks on new groups DO NOT QUALIFY for the checklist: McVay and Matthew Stafford fall into that class since Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and McVay, although he has a 53-27 file via 5 seasons, has by no means coached an everyday season snap with Stafford as his quarterback. Sean Payton is eligible for the checklist, however he has a brand new quarterback in 2021 (Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are in a quarterback competitors) — the primary yr Drew Brees has not opened the season as his quarterback. The identical guidelines utilized to Tom Brady and Bruce Arians and Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy in 2020, however each duos are eligible in 2021.
- Play-calling/not calling performs neither helps nor hurts: Some head coaches oversee the group, deferring the play-calling duties to the offensive coordinator. That should not have an effect on their repute with the quarterback or with profitable video games and making deep postseason runs. Head coaches that do not name performs won’t get bumped down on this checklist.
- Longevity is not the whole lot: It is an important signal {that a} head coach and a quarterback have been collectively for a very long time (which actually performs a job in these rankings), however current success on the sector also needs to play an element. Quarterbacks who had a robust 2020 season or have a small pattern measurement with their head coach should not be punished too harshly as a result of they have not been collectively for a few years.
- Championships assist: Sure, profitable the final word prize issues, which is an influence boost– and it is even higher if that title is a current one. Attending to the Super Bowl is a tricky job, which performed a component in the place I made a decision to rank these duos. MVP awards additionally performed an element.
- Keep in mind, one half of the duo could also be superb however the different half lacks, which I will break down within the prime 10 rankings under.
This is a have a look at final yr’s rankings as a refresher:
- Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Drew Brees/Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)
- Russell Wilson/Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks)
- Lamar Jackson/John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens)
- Carson Wentz/Doug Pederson (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Jimmy Garoppolo/Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers)
- Deshaun Watson/Invoice O’Brien (Houston Texans)
- Ben Roethlisberger/Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Jared Goff/Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams)
- Aaron Rodgers/Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers)
Presenting, the highest 10 quarterback/head coach duos within the NFL for 2021. Be at liberty to criticize!
10. Jimmy Garoppolo/Kyle Shanahan — San Francisco 49ers
How can Garoppolo be one half of a quarterback/head coach duo when he’ll be preventing for his job this fall? His success with Shanahan trumps the upcoming battle with Trey Lance. Garoppolo performed solely six video games in 2020 and missed components of others with ankle accidents, because the 49ers went 3-3 in his begins (they had been 3-7 within the different 10 video games). He accomplished 67.1% of his passes for 1,096 yards with seven touchdowns to 5 interceptions and a 92.4 passer ranking. The yards per try (7.8) and cross yards per sport (182.7) are the bottom since Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers, however his historical past in San Francisco exhibits Garoppolo deserves to be within the prime 10.
Garoppolo has accomplished 67.5% of his passes in his 31 begins for the 49ers, throwing for 7,352 yards with 46 touchdowns to 26 interceptions (98.1 passer ranking). Of quarterbacks who’ve thrown 750-plus cross makes an attempt over the previous 4 years, Garoppolo is fourth in completion share and ninth in passer ranking. He is second in yards per try (8.33) behind solely Patrick Mahomes. Regardless of the way you dissect it, these are top-10 numbers.
Garoppolo and Shanahan are 22-8 for the reason that 49ers traded for the quarterback in 2017, profitable the NFC West title of their solely full season collectively — advancing to Tremendous Bowl LIV. Shanahan is simply 35-45 as a head coach with one profitable file in 4 seasons, however it’s arduous to disregard the success he is had when Garoppolo begins.
The pair is nice sufficient for a rebound in 2021, assuming Shanahan permits Garoppolo to begin the season. If Garoppolo can keep wholesome — and that is an enormous if — he might not quit his job this yr.
9. Baker Mayfield/Kevin Stefenski — Cleveland Browns
Mayfield and Stefanski have solely been collectively one yr and already discovered their means onto this checklist — after main the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years. The enhancements Mayfield made in his first yr had been sufficient for the Browns to revisit how far he can take this group. Mayfield accomplished 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions (95.9 ranking) in 2020. When Mayfield posts a 100-plus passer ranking, the Browns are 15-1 — and he achieved it eight occasions final season (the Browns gained all eight of these video games, together with postseason).
Mayfield joined Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck as the one gamers in league historical past to throw for 3,500 passing yards and 20 landing passes in every of their first three seasons. His 75 landing passes path solely Manning (86) and Luck (85) for essentially the most by a No. 1 total decide after his first three years. The resume is constructing for Mayfield, because the Browns have a franchise quarterback.
Cleveland completed 11-5 in Stefanski’s first yr, essentially the most wins by a head coach for the franchise in his first yr since Paul Brown in 1946 (the group’s inaugural season). Cleveland snapped an 18-season playoff drought and gained a playoff sport for the primary time for the reason that 1994 season. The postseason win over the Steelers was the franchise’s first postseason highway win since 1969. Add within the group’s dedication to the run with the extensive zone scheme and the Browns have a basis to construct upon.
The Browns have a possibility to go deeper within the playoffs in yr two with Mayfield and Stefanski, a duo that has an incredible alternative to maneuver up this checklist.
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8. Ben Roethlisberger/Mike Tomlin — Pittsburgh Steelers
Mayfield, Stefanski, and the Browns might have overwhelmed (to place it properly) Roethlisberger and Tomlin within the AFC wild card spherical playoff final yr, however the Steelers quarterback/head coach duo nonetheless had a superb yr regardless of the late season collapse the place Pittsburgh misplaced 5 of its final six video games (together with the postseason) after an 11-0 begin. The then 38-year-old Roethlisberger accomplished 65.6% of his passes for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for a 94.1 passer ranking in 15 begins — during which the Steelers went 12-3 and gained the AFC North title. Roethlisberger was in a position to accomplish this regardless of working with the league’s worst dashing offense and coming off elbow surgical procedure that restricted him to only two video games the season prior.
Matt Canada is the brand new offensive coordinator — and play-caller — after Randy Fichtner was let go after final yr’s collapse. Pittsburgh’s offense can have a distinct look, which might assist Tomlin’s profile as a head coach — although he is achieved a lot on this league.
Keep in mind, Tomlin has by no means had a dropping season since taking up in 2007 — tying Marty Schottenheimer for essentially the most non-losing seasons to start a profession in league historical past. Tomlin has led Pittsburgh to a 145-78-1 (.650) file within the common season since changing into the group’s head coach, the second-best file within the NFL behind the New England Patriots. Tomlin and Roethlisberger have achieved a lot of their 14 seasons collectively, compiling a 127-63-1 file (.665 profitable share), which incorporates seven AFC North titles, two Tremendous Bowl appearances (profitable Tremendous Bowl XLIII), and an 8-8 file within the postseason. In flip, Roethlisberger has earned six Professional Bowl appearances, led the NFL in passing yards per sport 3 times, and completed with a passer ranking over 100 3 times.
The Steelers are simply 3-6 within the postseason since 2011, however Tomlin and Roethlisberger get the good thing about the doubt based mostly on repute. Not many quarterback/head coach duos have a Tremendous Bowl championship underneath their belt.
7. Ryan Tannehill/Mike Vrabel — Tennessee Titans
What Tannehill has been in a position to accomplish since changing into the Titans starter in the midst of the 2019 season is unbelievable, stating his case as a top-five quarterback on this league. Since changing into the starter in Week 7 of the 2019 season, Tannehill is first within the league in yards per try (8.55), third in touchdowns (55) and third in passer ranking (111.3). Tannehill additionally has essentially the most game-winning drives (9) and is tied for essentially the most fourth-quarter comebacks for the reason that begin of the 2019 season, whereas rating second in landing share (7.2).
The Titans offense is first within the league in touchdowns, 50-yard performs, and purple zone landing share since 2019 — and Tannehill has performed a serious function in making the franchise an AFC contender. Since Vrabel made Tannehill the starter, the Titans are 18-8 (.692 win share) with an AFC Championship sport look and an AFC South division title. Vrabel has by no means had a dropping season as a head coach within the NFL (three seasons), compiling a 29-19 file. Earlier than beginning Tannehill, he was simply 11-11 because the Titans head coach.
Tennessee might have been defeated within the wild card spherical final season, however the Tannehill/Vrabel duo is mainly a lock for the playoffs with Derrick Henry in his prime and a passing sport that has considerably improved with the addition of Julio Jones. The Titans are anticipated to be within the hunt this yr for his or her first Tremendous Bowl look for the reason that 1999 season.
6. Josh Allen/Sean McDermott — Buffalo Bills
Allen and McDermott have a case to be even larger on this checklist, however debuting this excessive within the prime 10 simply showcases how good they had been in 2020 — contemplating they’re the very best duo that does not have a quarterback or head coach with a championship on his resume. The Payments reached the AFC Championship Sport for the primary time for the reason that 1993 season and their 13-3 file was the franchise’s finest since 1991.
What Allen achieved in 2020 was MVP-caliber, even when he did not take dwelling the league’s highest particular person honor. Allen set the Payments’ franchise file for passing yards in a season (4,544) and passing touchdowns (37), ending with a 107.2 passer ranking. He completed fourth within the league in completion share (69.2), fifth in passing yards, fifth in passing touchdowns, and fourth in passer ranking — whereas additionally dashing for 421 yards and eight touchdowns.
Allen is the one participant in NFL historical past with 400-plus passing yards, 30-plus passing touchdowns and eight-plus dashing touchdowns in a season and the one quarterback in NFL historical past with three consecutive seasons of seven-plus dashing touchdowns. He’s additionally the primary participant in NFL historical past with two video games in a season with 400-plus passing yards, three-plus passing touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 130-plus passer ranking. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is the one calling the performs in Buffalo, however McDermott has been Allen’s head coach since he entered the league in 2018.
McDermott has a fairly spectacular resume himself, with three profitable seasons in 4 years with the Payments. Buffalo had simply two profitable seasons this century previous to McDermott’s arrival, with no 10-win seasons (McDermott has consecutive 10-win campaigns). The Payments gained their first AFC East title and first playoff sport since 1995 underneath McDermott’s watch, with Allen because the quarterback. McDermott is 38-26 (.594 win share) as head coach of the Payments with a 2-3 playoff file (each playoff wins got here final season).
Allen and McDermott are 28-15 in 43 begins along with consecutive playoff appearances. In addition they got here inside one sport of the Tremendous Bowl in Allen’s breakthrough yr, a constructing block of what is to come back in Buffalo. Allen and McDermott look like mainstays on this checklist.
5. Lamar Jackson/John Harbaugh — Baltimore Ravens
Jackson lastly has a playoff victory on his resume, however the Ravens fell to the Payments within the playoffs final yr. Why have they got the next rating than Allen and McDermott? Each Jackson and Harbaugh have achieved a lot in just below two-and-a-half seasons that it makes the pair among the best within the league.
Jackson does have a MVP on his resume (the youngest MVP in league historical past) and have become the third-youngest participant to win league MVP and a playoff sport at 24 years and three days outdated — solely Patrick Mahomes (23 years, 117 days) and Dan Marino (23 years, 106 days) had been youthful. He additionally joined Colin Kaepernick as the one quarterbacks in NFL historical past with a number of 100-yard dashing yard video games within the postseason, regardless of his 1-3 playoff file.
Now let’s get to the common season. Jackson threw 26 landing passes and rushed for seven scores in 2020, becoming a member of Deshaun Watson (2018-19) as the one quarterbacks with a minimum of 25 landing passes and 5 dashing touchdowns in consecutive seasons in NFL historical past. Baltimore is 30-7 with Jackson as its starter within the common season. Since his first NFL begin in Week 11 of the 2018 season, Jackson’s 30 wins are essentially the most amongst all NFL beginning quarterbacks, and he’s additionally the quickest quarterback in league historical past to achieve 30 common season victories (conducting the feat in simply 37 begins).
Jackson can be the primary quarterback to have consecutive 1,000-yard dashing seasons and has accomplished 64.1% of his passes for six,998 yards with 67 touchdowns to only 18 interceptions (102.5 ranking) since changing into the Ravens starter. He additionally has 2,767 dashing yards and 18 touchdowns on the bottom.
Harbaugh deserves loads of credit score for his improvement. Harbaugh is 140-86 (.620 win share) in his profession, changing into simply one among 10 head coaches in NFL historical past to make the postseason 9 occasions in his first 13 NFL seasons. His eight playoff wins on the highway are essentially the most in NFL historical past (which he achieved final season). He additionally has gained Tremendous Bowl XLVII and is among the finest coaches within the sport.
As I wrote final yr, Harbaugh and Jackson can simply crack the highest three on this checklist with a postseason run. We’re nonetheless ready for them to take the following step in a aggressive AFC.
4. Russell Wilson/Pete Carroll — Seattle Seahawks
Carroll determined to “Let Russ Cook dinner” final season, as Wilson was the early front-runner to win league MVP honors. On the finish of the yr an MVP vote nonetheless eluded Wilson, although he had one among his finest seasons. Wilson completed with a career-high in completion share (68.8) and passing touchdowns (40), whereas ending with 4,212 yards and a 105.1 passer ranking. The Seahawks gained 12 video games for the primary time since 2014 and the NFC West title for the primary time since 2016, but did not win a playoff sport for the second time within the final three seasons.
Since Wilson turned the beginning quarterback of the Seahawks in 2012, Seattle is 98-45-1 (.679 win share) with eight 10-plus-win seasons (in 9 years), 4 division titles, seven playoff appearances, two NFC championships, and a Tremendous Bowl title. In case you want extra proof on how dynamic Wilson has been since coming into the league, he has been chosen to the Professional Bowl seven occasions, and has thrown for 267 touchdowns to only 81 interceptions with an 101.7 passer ranking. Wilson has the second-highest passer ranking and the third-lowest interception share (1.87) in historical past (minimal 4,000 makes an attempt). Wilson has began all 144 video games he is performed, which is the sixth-longest consecutive begins streak for a quarterback in NFL historical past.
Wilson has the second-most passing touchdowns (267) in his first 9 seasons within the NFL — trailing solely Peyton Manning. He additionally has the fifth-most passing yards (33,946) and second-highest passer ranking (101.7) for a quarterback after his first 9 seasons, so how did this duo fall down a spot? Seattle has did not get previous the divisional spherical of the playoffs since dropping Tremendous Bowl XLIX (Carroll’s notorious blunder on the 1-yard line), and fell within the wild card spherical final season to a backup quarterback — who by no means took an everyday season NFL snap.
Wilson and Carroll needs to be within the prime three, however they have been dethroned by duos that made deep playoff runs final yr.
3. Aaron Rodgers/Matt LaFleur — Inexperienced Bay Packers
No matter Rodgers’ beef is with the Packers, you’ll be able to’t deny the unbelievable quantity of success he is had since LaFleur took over as head coach in 2019. The Packers are 26-6 since LaFleur took over, with back-to-back NFC Championship Sport appearances (solely the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have additionally reached the convention championship sport in every of the final two years). LaFleur is simply the second head coach for the reason that league went to a divisional format in 1967 to win 13-plus video games and a division title in every of his first two seasons. He is simply the sixth head coach since 1970 to guide his group to the convention championship sport in each of his first two seasons as a head coach.
Rodgers has been unbelievable in his two seasons underneath LaFleur. Of quarterbacks with 750 cross makes an attempt, Rodgers has essentially the most landing passes (74) with the fewest interceptions (9) and is the one participant with an interception share underneath one (0.82). His 26 wins are additionally essentially the most within the league. Rodgers additionally ranks third in landing share (6.8), and eighth in completion share (66.2) and passing yards (8,301).
Rodgers had a historic season in profitable the league MVP award, finishing 70.7% of his passes for 4,299 yards with 48 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions on the age of 37. A First Staff All-Professional choice, Rodgers led the league in completion share, landing passes, landing share (9.1), interception share (1.0), and passer ranking (121.5). He set a career-high in each completion share and landing passes. Rodgers set three NFL information in 2020, together with essentially the most video games with a passer ranking over 100 (14) and essentially the most video games with a passer ranking over 120 in a season (10). He additionally had 9 video games with three-plus landing passes and no interceptions in a season, additionally essentially the most in NFL historical past.
Rodgers turned the third participant in NFL historical past to guide the league in passing touchdowns (48) whereas throwing the fewest interceptions (5), becoming a member of Tom Brady (2010) and Johnny Unitas (1958) as the one gamers to perform the feat. He is the primary participant in NFL historical past to throw a minimum of 40 touchdowns with 5 or fewer interceptions in a season and his 121.5 passer ranking is the second-highest in NFL historical past — behind the 122.5 mark he set in 2011. Rodgers’ 51 whole touchdowns (48 passing, three dashing) are the third-most in a season in NFL historical past.
Rodgers and LaFleur might not even be collectively in 2021, however the duo deserves to be amongst the elite on this checklist.
2. Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid — Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Mahomes and Reid clearly have an argument for the highest spot for the second consecutive yr, however we’ll get to why they fell to No. 2. The Chiefs are 38-8 in Mahomes’ 46 begins with three AFC Championship Sport appearances (in three full seasons), two convention championship victories, and a win in Tremendous Bowl LIV for a 6-2 postseason file. Reid deserves the credit score too, because the Chiefs have averaged 31.4 factors per sport in Mahomes’ 46 begins — together with scoring 30-plus factors 28 occasions and 40-plus factors eight occasions.
Mahomes remains to be the youngest participant to win NFL MVP and Tremendous Bowl MVP whereas having essentially the most passing yards (14,152), passing touchdowns (114), highest passer ranking (108.7) and fewest interceptions (24) via a participant’s first 46 begins.
Since changing into the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs beginning quarterback in 2018, Mahomes leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (114), and is second in passing yards (13,868) and passer ranking (109.3) This previous season, Mahomes accomplished a career-high 66.3% of his passes for 4,740 yards with 38 touchdowns to only six interceptions (108.2 ranking). Mahomes additionally led the league in passing yards per sport (316.0).
Mahomes recorded his third-consecutive season with 4,000-plus passing yards, changing into the third participant in NFL historical past with 4,000-plus passing yards in three of his first 4 seasons, becoming a member of Peyton Manning and Dan Marino. He additionally turned simply the seventh participant in NFL historical past to throw for 4,500-plus passing yards and 35-plus passing touchdowns a number of occasions in his profession. Mahomes is simply the third quarterback with a minimum of 110 landing passes in his first 4 seasons in NFL historical past, becoming a member of Marino (142) and Kurt Warner (111).
Primarily based on Mahomes’ historic begin and Reid taking the Chiefs deep within the playoffs every year within the three full seasons that Mahomes has been the beginning quarterback, the duo needs to be the very best within the NFL, proper? If solely they weren’t dethroned by a duo that gained a Tremendous Bowl of their first yr collectively.
One-for-one.
Brady and Arians captured a Tremendous Bowl championship of their first yr collectively, which catapults them to the highest of this unique checklist. Brady is the second quarterback in NFL historical past to win a Tremendous Bowl with two totally different groups (becoming a member of Peyton Manning, who did it with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos). He is the primary participant in NFL historical past to win a title in three totally different many years (2000s, 2010s, 2020s) and the primary quarterback to win a Tremendous Bowl title in every convention.
What Arians did for Brady’s profession — on the age of 43 — might by no means be replicated. Brady set the NFL file for landing passes in his first season with a brand new group (43) and second-most passing yards in yr one with a brand new group (4,633). Arians and Brady took the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl — whereas Brady turned the oldest quarterback to begin a Tremendous Bowl and win it at 43 years, 188 days. Brady completed second within the NFL in completions (401), tied for second in passing touchdowns (40), and third in passing yards (4,633). He led the Buccaneers to the franchise’s second Tremendous Bowl title, as Tampa Bay turned the primary franchise to win the Tremendous Bowl in its personal stadium — beating Mahomes, Reid and the Chiefs.
Arians turned the oldest head coach to win a Tremendous Bowl at 68 years and 127 days. He is the second-oldest head coach to win a NFL championship; George Halas stays the oldest coach to win a title at 68 years and 331 days when the Chicago Bears gained the NFL Championship in 1963. The Buccaneers turned the primary group in NFL historical past to attain 30-plus factors 4 occasions in a single postseason. They’re the primary group in NFL historical past to defeat three former Tremendous Bowl MVPs (Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes) — they usually did it in consecutive video games.
Brady has seven Tremendous Bowl titles on his resume and extra Tremendous Bowl championships than another franchise in NFL historical past (the New England Patriots have essentially the most with six — all with Brady at QB). He is additionally the primary participant to win seven NFL championships and joined Invoice Russell (Boston Celtics), Joe DiMaggio (New York Yankees), Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees), and Yogi Berra (New York Yankees) as the one gamers within the 4 main American sports activities to win seven championships and three MVP awards. Brady gained his fifth Tremendous Bowl MVP — essentially the most in Tremendous Bowl historical past.
The Brady-Arians duo achieved all this in Yr One throughout a pandemic with no preseason and a restricted coaching camp. The percentages had been stacked towards the Buccaneers to win a Tremendous Bowl in Yr One with Brady and Arians, they usually gained the title anyway. Think about what Yr Two might carry for this duo.
Brady and Arians deserve the highest spot, particularly since Brady is the one quarterback to defeat Mahomes and Reid within the postseason.
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