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NFL Coaching Changes 2025: Can Liam Coen Revive Trevor Lawrence's Fantasy Value?

You probably know the marquee names from this coaching cycle:

HC Ben Johnson to Chicago.

HC Kellen Moore to New Orleans.

HC Liam Coen to Jacksonville.

OC Chip Kelly to Vegas.

But there's a lot more you'll want to know before your next fantasy football draft.

Most importantly, what does each of these NFL coaching changes mean for the team's offense? 

Let's examine the coaching changes for 14 teams and how you should react ...

NFL Coaching Changes 2025: AFC

• Browns OC Tommy Rees
• Texans OC Nick Caley
• Jaguars HC Liam Coen and OC Grant Udinski
• Raiders HC Pete Carroll and OC Chip Kelly
• Patriots HC Mike Vrabel and OC Josh McDaniels
• Jets HC Aaron Glenn and OC Tanner Engstrand

NFL Coaching Changes 2025: NFC

• Bears HC Ben Johnson and OC Declan Doyle
• Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer and OC Klayton Adams
• Lions OC John Morton
• Saints HC Kellen Moore and OC Doug Nussmeier
• Eagles OC Kevin Patullo
• Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak
• 49ers OC Klay Kubiak
• Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard

Chicago Bears Coaching Changes: HC Ben Johnson and OC Declan Doyle

• 2024 Pass Rate: 59.5%
• 2024 Run Rate: 40.5%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 59%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 41%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 62.6
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 63.2

Johnson first garnered HC interest in 2023. But rather than leaving Detroit then, he built up his resume with two more masterful seasons as Lions OC.

His patience delivered a chance to work with one of football's most talented QBs. Caleb Williams, though, showed us last season that he still needs plenty of work.

Here’s how Johnson’s units compared with the 2024 Bears: 

The Bears lacked an established O-line and sported a far less dynamic backfield. And there’s a massive difference between rookie-year Williams and Year 9 Jared Goff.

It’ll be interesting to see how Johnson’s approach changes with a less experienced, more mobile QB ...

Two Areas Highlight Johnson’s Strengths

In 2024, Goff led 32 qualifying QBs in play-action throw rate (35.7%, per Pro Football Focus). Williams ranked 30th at 17.4%.

Perhaps a poor O-line limited play-action opportunities, but the rookie’s limited sample turned up positive results. On play-action throws, his yards per attempt jumped by 2.4 yards, while his adjusted completion rate rose by 4.1 percentage points.

This could unlock greater success on deep balls. Per NFL stats, Williams ranked 27th or worse in deep-throw efficiency to all parts of the field (left, middle, right).

Johnson’s offenses have also been known to cycle through multiple personnel groups. Per SumerSports, the Lions used two-TE sets on 32.2% of their snaps in 2024 -- well above the league average (21.7%). 

Meanwhile, the Lions rolled out three WRs at a 54.2% clip -- less than league average (60.7%).

Chicago’s current WR depth (D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, rookie Luther Burden) suggests a potential rise in 3-WR sets. But the ultimate usage might come down to the development of Burden and Round 1 TE Colston Loveland, who joins high-paid veteran Cole Kmet.

This unit is tough to project as we wait to see exact roles and planned target distribution.

Who’s Declan Doyle?

Only 29, he spent the past two years as Denver’s TEs coach. Doyle's roots with HC Sean Payton extend to New Orleans, where he served as an offensive assistant from 2019 to 2022. 

Doyle will assist in a game-planning capacity; Johnson will call plays.

Cleveland Browns Coaching Change: OC Tommy Rees

• 2024 Pass Rate: 65%
• 2024 Run Rate: 35%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 55.8%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 44.2%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 65.8
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 63.3

Rees, only 33, joined Cleveland as a TEs coach and pass-game specialist in 2024.

He’ll handle a gameplanning role, with HC Kevin Stefanski set to call plays.

Browns Hit Reset with Focus on Run Game

The 2025 Browns are constructed like a run-first, conservative offense. And that’s regardless of who wins their four-way QB competition.

Veteran G Joel Bitonio has already picked up on a “ball control” theme this offseason, saying that they’ll “go back to what coach Stefanski has been known for.”

“For an O-line, if you drop back to throw 40, 50, 60 times a game, (that’s difficult),” Bitonio said via Yahoo. “That’s still going to happen. You still have to pass the ball to win in this league. But if you can have a brand (that says), ‘We’re going to take care of the football,’ and I think the way we won in the past is our defense was fresh, that can work.”

Cleveland led the league in pass rate last season (65%). Expect a major shift in 2025, especially after the Browns added workhorse RB Quinshon Judkins in Round 2.

Dallas Cowboys Coaching Changes: HC Brian Schottenheimer and OC Klayton Adams

• 2024 Pass Rate: 61.1%
• 2024 Run Rate: 38.9%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 61.6%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 38.4%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 64.9
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 64.2

Schottenheimer slides into a play-calling role for the first time since 2020 in Seattle. He served as Dallas’ OC in 2023-2024.

Cowboys Built to Pass, but Don't Ignore Ground Game

Their personnel suggests another pass-happy approach, particularly after the trade for George Pickens. Let's hope we’ll see a motivated Pickens, who enters the final year of his rookie deal at just 24.

The O-line supplies several building blocks, including Round 1 picks in LT Tyler Guyton, LG Tyler Smith, and RG Tyler Booker. They’ll be integral in establishing a fresh mindset under new OC Klayton Adams, who most recently served as Arizona’s O-line coach.

"Create violence in the game," Adams said regarding his message to players. "Be aggressive, run, hit, I think that every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction. So if there's a gray area, what is going to allow these guys to play more free and run and hit and be violent?"

That could make it an excellent environment for Dallas’ lead back to thrive. The problem: I'm not sure Dallas has a lead back.

Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have struggled over the past couple of years. Round 5 rookie Jayden Blue looks more like a change-of-pace/receiving back than a backfield leader.

Detroit Lions Coaching Change: OC John Morton

• 2024 Rass Rate: 53%
• 2024 Run Rate: 47%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 53.8%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 46.2%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 65.9
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 64.6

New OC Brings Little Play-Calling Experience

Morton’s lone season as an NFL play caller – 2017 with the Jets – turned up the following finishes:

• Points: 24th
• Yards: 28th
• Rush Attempts: 17th
• Pass Attempts: 25th
• Plays Per Game: 25th

The Jets also ranked near the bottom of the league in pass rate (54.3%).

But those Jets were QB’d by Josh McCown and Bryce Petty. Bilal Powell led the backfield in carries, while the WR formerly known as Robbie Anderson paced the team in targets. Yuck.

In Detroit, Morton already knows the formula for success. 

Former OC Ben Johnson’s units ranked top-5 in scoring and points each of the past three seasons.

Morton served as Denver’s pass-game coordinator from 2023-2024 but spent 2022 as an offensive assistant under Johnson.

As you can see above, we’re not expecting a meaningful shift in play volume or run-pass split. But keep an eye on the interior of the O-line, where the team will likely break in two new starters -- rookie Tate Tatledge and second-year man Christian Mahogany -- who have just one combined NFL start to date.

The unit lost C Frank Ragnow to retirement.

Houston Texans Coaching Change: OC Nick Caley

• 2024 Pass Rate: 58.3%
• 2024 Run Rate: 41.7%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 60.4%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 39.6%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 62.8
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 62.7

Former OC Bobby Slowik lasted two seasons as play caller. 

He guided C.J. Stroud to a masterful rookie year with 4,108 yards, 23 TDs, and only 5 INTs. But Stroud's production fell off in 2024. A decline in O-line play hurt, but Stroud also appeared handicapped by his inability to fully control the offense.

Might that happen again in 2025?

Stroud Meshing Well With First-Time OC

Here’s Texans insider Aaron Wilson (via Youtube):

Stroud agreed, making these comments at OTAs:

Caley's History Includes Time with McVay, Belichick

Caley arrives from Los Angeles, where he served as TEs coach the past two years, adding pass-game coordinator to his title in 2024.

Caley also spent eight years on Bill Belichick’s staff (2015-2022), mainly coaching TEs.

As for changes in approach, it’s reasonable to expect a slight uptick in passing. Stroud should be more comfortable in Year 3. And Houston clearly wants more from its WR corps after spending Round 2 and Round 3 picks on Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

Jacksonville Jaguars Coaching Changes: HC Liam Coen and OC Grant Udinski

• 2024 Pass Rate: 58.2%
• 2024 Run Rate: 41.8%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 58%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 42%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 58.4
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 61.8

Coen Earned the Gig After a Brilliant 2024

Coen saw his stock accelerate after guiding Baker Mayfield to a career-best 2024. Mayfield’s season included personal highs in:

• Passing yards (4,500)
• Yards per attempt (7.9)
• Completion rate (71.4%)
• TD rate (7.2%)
• QB rating (106.8)

Coen -- a college QB himself -- also served on Sean McVay’s staff (2018-2020, 2022), holding the following roles:

• Assistant WR coach
• Assistant QB coach
• Offensive coordinator

Coen also spent 2021 and 2023 at Kentucky (OC/QBs coach).

He's expected to call plays in Jacksonville.

'It's Definitely Unlike Any System That I've Learned Before'

Early returns have proven positive in Jacksonville, most notably from QB Trevor Lawrence.

"I really like [that the offense] has a lot of answers," Lawrence said following one practice. "It's great. I mean, it puts a lot on the players. You have to know your stuff, but it gives you all the answers. You don't feel like you're stuck in a play that's not set up for success. 

"It's definitely unlike any system that I've learned before."

Lawrence broke out in 2022 with a QB7 fantasy finish, but then failed to match that production the past two seasons. 

He fell well short of QB1 status in 2024, limited by a concussion and a left shoulder injury that required surgery.

Fortunately, Lawrence has said that he expected to be a full-go for training camp. We’re not altering projections based on his health. 

Instead, consider Lawrence one of the top late-round QB choices -- especially after the selection of WR Travis Hunter.

Remember Udinski's Name; Big Things Ahead?

At 29, Udinski is the league's second-youngest OC. 

He served as an assistant on HC Matt Rhule's Carolina staff in 2020 and 2021. Udinski spent the next three seasons under HC Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota, holding the following roles:

• Assistant to the HC and special projects
• Assistant QBs coach
• Assistant OC

He was coveted around the league this offseason, taking five different OC interviews. The rising assistant gets some credit for Sam Darnold's breakthrough 2024 (4,319-35-12).

Udinski's arrival adds optimism for a Lawrence turnaround.

Las Vegas Raiders Coaching Changes: HC Pete Carroll and OC Chip Kelly

• 2024 Pass Rate: 64.3%
• 2024 Run Rate: 35.7%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 56.2%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 43.8%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 62.6
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 63.7

Kelly Delivered Results in Short Philly Stint

Carroll will hand off play-calling duties to Kelly, whose name you probably remember.

He was the architect of Philadelphia's offense from 2013-2015. Kelly brought a fast-paced, spread, and run-balanced offense that actually worked over his first two seasons.

Here’s how the Eagles finished in some key statistics:

Kelly’s Eagles also led the league in plays per game during his tenure. But he got fired near then end of a 7-9 season in 2015, a year that started with Kelly also taking over GM duties.

Kelly Revived Career at Ohio State 

Kelly spent 2018-2023 as UCLA’s HC, but his coaching stock really rebounded as Ohio State’s OC last fall.

Interestingly, Kelly's OSU squad didn't resemble those track teams from Philadelphia. Per TruMedia, they ranked outside the top-100 nationally in plays per game (61.8) and seconds per play (29.4). That even marked a departure from his time at UCLA, where his teams averaged 73 plays per game and 24.1 seconds per play.

Don't Expect a Pass-Heavy Attack

Vegas has the personnel to achieve much more balance in 2025. It starts with the identity of their HC.

Across 14 seasons, Carroll’s Seahawks posted six top-3 finishes in rush attempts. The Round 1 investment in Ashton Jeanty merely confirms their run-leaning desire.

We’ll see if a suspect defense allows them to stay in run-friendly scripts, but don't be surprised if Jeanty pushes for the league lead in carries.

New England Patriots Coaching Changes: HC Mike Vrabel and OC Josh McDaniels

• 2024 Pass Rate: 56.5%
• 2024 Run Rate: 43.5%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 57.7%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 42.3%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 60.4
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 61.9

McDaniels Returns (Again) with One Clear Objective

McDaniels returns to Foxborough after spending 13 years as New England’s OC (2006-2008, 2012-2021). He spent 2024 out of coaching. 

His No. 1 task will be developing Drake Maye. As a rookie, Maye showed flashes of high-end play. But a poor supporting cast limited him to only one top-8 fantasy finish.

One area to watch in 2025: Maye’s involvement in the run game. 

The bulk of McDaniels’ OC history came alongside Tom Brady. But not in 2020, when 31-year-old Cam Newton supplied a rushing threat. This resulted in Newton ranking third among QBs in RPO rushing attempts (23), per Pro Football Reference. He sat second in designed rushing yardage (407), according to PFF.

Maye doesn’t match Newton's profile -- especially that age-31 version of Newton. The second-year man is smaller and more talented as a passer. But there’s still potential for Maye to deliver greater fantasy production on the ground if McDaniels leans into the QB's athleticism.

New Orleans Saints Coaching Changes: HC Kellen Moore and OC Doug Nussmeier

• 2024 Pass Rate: 57%
• 2024 Run Rate: 43%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 56.2%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 43.8%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 60.7
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 63.3

Moore is expected to call plays, despite entering his first HC job. Nussmeier has followed Moore at each NFL stop: Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles, and now Saints.

He served as QBs coach in each season since 2020.

Expect Moore to Mold Offense to Fit Players

Play-calling stints with the Cowboys, Chargers, and Eagles have shown a willingness to adapt to different personnel.

We saw that most recently in 2024, when the Eagles rode Saquon Barkley to top-2 finishes in carries, rushing yards, and rushing TDs.

Consider Moore’s work in 2023, when Justin Herbert and the Chargers ranked third league-wide in pass attempts. Their backfield: A banged-up Austin Ekeler and Josh Kelley.

Moore’s four years as Dallas OC included three years of ranking among the top 12 in rushing attempts and three of top-12 rankings in pass attempts. That span started with Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott both in their fourth NFL season.

So, what’s the early word out of New Orleans?

Saints Backup Provides Insight

Here’s Saints QB Jake Haener, whose relationship with Moore spans a decade. (Haener played under Moore's college HC, Chris Petersen. Haener was also coached by Moore's brother, Kirby, at Fresno State.)

Haener added: “The one thing that differentiates this system is the bubbles (screens), the RPOs, the quick throws.”

Beat writer Luke Johnson gave this assessment of the new-look offense at OTAs:

Shorter passing would solidify the reception outlook for Alvin Kamara. We might also get some spot start value out of TE Juwan Johnson, who signed a three-year extension in March.

New York Jets Coaching Change: HC Aaron Glenn and OC Tanner Engstrand

• 2024 Pass Rate: 64%
• 2024 Run Rate: 36%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 53%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 47%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 59.4
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 61.8

Glenn Brought Engstrand From Detroit

Engstrand spent 2020 on the Lions staff, a year before HC Dan Campbell arrived. He stayed on through that transition, which brought in Glenn as DC.

Engstrand climbed from offensive assistant, to quality control, TEs coach, and then pass-game coordinator.

Glenn’s background is on defense, so he’ll hand the play-calling keys to Engstrand The 43-year-old has never called plays in the NFL but held the role at the University of San Diego (2011-2017) and with the XFL's D.C. Defenders (2020).

We’re not drawing any conclusions from those stops. Instead, let’s get Engstrand's summation of his ideal offense ...

Expect These Jets to Run Quite a Bit

"Yeah, I think we just want to play fast," he said in May via NFL.com. "We want to be physical, we want to be aggressive, we want to be explosive, and we want to be detailed. We want that to show up on tape each and every week. When somebody looks at our tape, we want those things to show up, and that's what we're going to shoot for.”

Engstrand also mentioned Ben Johnson, Dan Campbell, and Jim Harbaugh as his biggest coaching influences. (Engstrand spent 2018 alongside Harhaugh as an offensive analyst at Michigan.)

At bottom, a Justin Fields-led offense is likely to rank among the run-heaviest units league wide. A backfield that includes Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis should only push the Jets further in that direction.

Glenn praised all three early in his tenure: "I would say that we have three running backs on this team that we're going to utilize as much as possible."

Plus, the pass-catching corps remains heavily reliant on No. 1 WR Garrett Wilson. The depth looks rough entering the summer.

Philadelphia Eagles Coaching Change: OC Kevin Patullo

• 2024 Pass Rate: 43.7%
• 2024 Run Rate: 56.3%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 46.5%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 53.5%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 65.1
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 64.6

Jalen Hurts is now on his 12th different OC dating back to college.

He won’t learn a new system, though. Patullo has served on HC Nick Sirianni’s staff since 2021 as the pass-game coordinator (2021-2022), adding the associate HC title in 2023.

Patullo hasn’t called plays at any level, and he has given few clues on how the offense might differ this fall.

Hurts said this month that “there are some nuances that are different” compared to last year. But you should bet on another high rushing rate.

Seattle Seahawks Coaching Changes: OC Klint Kubiak

• 2024 Pass Rate: 62.8%
• 2024 Run Rate: 37.2%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 56.9%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 43.1%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 60.6
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 62.0

Kubiak looked like a hot HC candidate early last season.

As New Orleans’ OC, he navigated an offense that scored 47 and 42 points over the first two weeks. Their momentum soon slowed, though, hurt by an injured Derek Carr. 

So what can we expect from Kubiak in Seattle?

Limited Sample Suggests a Run-First Attack

Well, let’s look at his two prior stops as OC.

In 2021, Kubiak called plays for the Kirk Cousins-led Vikings, resulting in the following finishes:

• Pace: eighth
• Points: 14th
• Yards: 12th
• Pass rate: 18th
• Pass rate over expected: 21st

Compare that to his 2024 Saints:

• Pace: 12th
• Points: 24th
• Yards: 21st
• Pass Rate Over Expected: 25th

A run-leaning approach would mark a bit change from Seattle’s 2024 OC, Ryan Grubb. Only the Raiders, Bengals, and Jets recorded fewer team carries.

Seahawks Poised to Pound the Rock in 2025

"Obviously we want to be a physical team that can run the football and play action and all those things," Kubiak said via ESPN. “But then we've got to be at our best in those drop-back passing situations. So there's a lot that goes into it. I definitely believe that our priorities [with HC Mike Macdonald] align."

Here’s RT Abe Lucas, who called running the ball “non-negotiable” under the new OC.

“Everybody wants to run the ball,” Lucas said at OTAs, via The Athletic. “We put a fullback in the backfield. We’re changing it up. We’re doing this differently. It’s like an old-school mentality with a new-school principal. Looking forward to getting after that.”

Indeed, the Seahawks spent a Round 5 pick on Alabama TE Robbie Ouzts. Shortly after, the team announced his conversion to FB.

We’re expecting an efficient ground game led by Kenneth Walker here. And although we’re not high on Sam Darnold, he at least has familiarity with Kubiak. The pair spent 2023 together in San Francisco.

San Francisco 49ers Coaching Change: OC Klay Kubiak

• 2024 Pass Rate: 55.4%
• 2024 Run Rate: 44.6%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 53.5%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 46.5%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 60.4
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 61.1

New OC But Same Playbook

This has been Kyle Shanahan’s offense since 2017, and that won’t change in 2025.

Kubiak supplies a familiar voice, having served on San Francisco’s staff for four seasons:

• 2021: defensive quality control
• 2022-2023: assistant QBs coach
• 2024: passing game specialist

A healthy Christian McCaffrey should see this offense shift a bit more toward the run. WR Deebo Samuel departed in free agency, and it remains to be seen when WR Brandon Aiyuk will return following an October ACL tear.

As expected, Aiyuk hasn’t participated in spring workouts. His health -- along with the development of second-year WR Ricky Pearsall -- could impact the passing volume for QB Brock Purdy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Change: OC Josh Grizzard

• 2024 Pass Rate: 55.3%
• 2024 Run Rate: 44.7%
• Projected 2025 Pass Rate: 56.9%
• Projected 2025 Run Rate: 43.1%
• 2024 Plays Per Game: 63.2
• Projected 2025 Plays Per Game: 63.3

This will be Grizzard’s first year as a play caller at any level. The graduate of Yale and Duke is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks.

He’s also Baker Mayfield’s ninth OC in eight seasons.

The good news? Grizzard isn’t expected to make significant changes following Mayfield’s career year with OC Liam Coen.

Mayfield Talks Offensive Continuity, Shares Priorities

"I try not to take it for granted being in the same system since I am so used to learning new offenses," Mayfield said via CBS. "Now it's just about the details. We have a great group. We have everybody back and added some pieces in the skill group. That makes it easier. 

"I took a lot more responsibility last year, and I am taking even more ownership of it. When it comes to those checks at the line of scrimmage, it makes it a lot easier with the guys being back."

Added Mayfield: “[The offense] still runs through the run game and Mike [Evans]. That's how it goes."

That’s easy to see, especially with WR Chris Godwin returning from an ankle fracture.

Mayfield's 2024 production, however, relied heavily on a 7.2% TD rate that's almost certain to regress. (He entered the season at 4.6% for his career.) Similarly, Mayfield's 7.9 yards per pass attempt beat his prior career average by 0.7.

So Mayfield could deliver similar play in a similar system and still return many fewer fantasy points than last season.

He barely snuck inside the top 10 of our QB rankings.

NFL Coaching Changes = New Fantasy Sleepers

Coaching changes affect everything from player usage and personnel tendencies to offensive pace and ultimate play volume.

With coaching changes in mind, we've already crunched the numbers on 2025 player projections. Now, see which fantasy football sleepers are set to provide difference-making production in the fall.

Want More Coaching Info ... With a Fantasy Slant?

Join Matt Schauf and Jared Smola as they discuss the six most impactful hires this cycle.