
Gene Clemons breaks down the elite and not-so-elite offenses in the NFL and the masterminds behind them.

There are going to be several new NFL head coaches in 2026, and there will be even more new offensive coordinators in place as teams jockey for play callers that can help them become more prolific on the offensive side of the ball. When it comes to the players we love and believe in for fantasy, sometimes it matters who the offensive coordinator is, and other times, who the OC is doesn't move the needle—we are going to take the players early and often, regardless of the play caller.
Ultimately, the type of offense being run can shed light on some other players who may find more value in one system as opposed to others. Let's take a look at these offensive rankings and the coordinators that are powering them.
There’s a level of continuity that the Rams enjoy that no other team in the NFL can claim. Because everything starts with their head coach, Sean McVay, as the play caller. All of the offensive weapons understand the mission. They have two elite receivers, two high-quality running backs and several tight ends that they are not afraid to put on the field at the same time. Most importantly, they have a quarterback who (while he is long in the tooth) is as sharp as they come when given time, and should enter the offseason program relatively healthy with an MVP trophy in hand. McVay and Mike LaFleur make a great tandem as an offensive brain trust that needs to manage all of these weapons. They will be just as formidable in 2026 if everything returns to place.
The Cowboys have potentially one of the scariest offenses in all of the NFL. We all know that Dak Prescott is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and he once again showed that in 2025 with his performance. Their offensive strength is built on several key offensive weapons. First is CeeDee Lamb, who remains one of the best receivers in the league. He is flanked by George Pickens, who is set to garner a major payday this offseason. They also possess a high-quality rushing attack, regardless of who the running back is and a tight end in Jake Ferguson who can be a top-five receiving option at the position whenever necessary. Offensive coordinator Clayton Adams is a great fit with his running background to complement Brian Schottenheimer and what he wants his offense to look like. With these pieces in place, this team is once again poised to put up major points in the NFL.
2025 proved once again that Josh McDaniels is back where he belongs as an offensive coordinator. The offense that he put together in New England allowed Drake Maye to blossom into a legitimate MVP candidate in only his second year. He also proved that Stefon Diggs was not washed, Kayshon Boutte was not a bust and Austin Hooper could be a legitimate weapon as a tight end. In typical New England Patriots fashion, there are no complete standouts at any one position and no All-Pros to speak of other than at the quarterback. However, as a unit, everyone from Diggs to TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield can play their role and have major success. Year 2 in this system should be scary as the team continues to add weapons on the offensive line to help protect Maye while opening holes in the run game, and more weapons on the perimeter for him to throw to.
This may be the sexiest offense going into 2026. You pair the old-school blue-collar mentality of Jim Harbaugh and his run-heavy offenses with the guy who made his bones as the run game coordinator in San Francisco before engineering his high-powered Miami offense: Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel was the apple of a lot of head coaching eyes when he was fired as the head coach in Miami. Clearly, it was a lifestyle change that allowed him to pick the Chargers, but also the opportunity to work with one of the more talented quarterbacks in the NFL, who just so happens to have possession of a treasure chest full of weapons. Even if longtime-veteran Keenan Allen does not return for the 2026 season, guys like Quentin Johnston have proven this year that they can be legitimate options as an X-receiver. Ladd McConkey is still ascending and should find a Tyreek Hill-esque role in Mike McDaniel's offense.
Tre Harris could potentially have a much bigger role in 2026. Oronde Gadsden Jr. proved that he can be a great pass-receiving option at tight end. Then there’s the running backs. This group includes Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Kimani Vidal and others.
The Detroit Lions were once again flying high in 2025, but injuries at key positions (including offensive line and tight end) really put a damper on their efficiency, especially in the second half of the season. There was also a little inconsistency with the play calling, which led to a coordinator and play-caller change midway through the season. In steps former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to take the helm, which should allow the head coach to be a little more hands-off this year than he was last season. We know Petzing is not afraid to open it up, as he did in Arizona when Jacoby Brissett took over for Kyler Murray. The question becomes: can he put all of the ingredients in the gumbo so the team could have not only regular season success, but playoff success as well? The clock is ticking, and the window is closing fast.
Expect things to be a lot more high-powered in 2026, now that this team, Caleb Williams and all of his receiving weapons have been in this Ben Johnson offense for a full season. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle needs to continue to find ways to get the ball into the hands of the many young, talented options that he has on this team. We know that they can come back when the chips are down. The next step for them is to be a more consistently dominant offense.
A big weight was lifted off the shoulders of Sam Darnold when he put on the performance of his life in the NFC Championship game versus the Rams. Tons of credit goes to offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who came over from New Orleans this season. He proved that he can be a consistent force multiplier as a passer in that game. The keys will be: Can he do it for a full season? Can he cut down on the turnovers that plague him from time to time? A full offseason with Rashid Shaheed, another year of the rookie Tory Horton in this offense and the possibility of continued upgrades on the offensive line mean that the arrow is pointed squarely up for this Super Bowl-contending team.
Everyone knows that Kyle Shanahan is the best play caller in the game. He has been proving it time and time again, year after year, over the past decade. In 2025, he and new offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak were able to have one of the best offenses in the league despite massive injuries at quarterback and throughout the receiving corps. Look for 2026 to be a much healthier year for these offensive weapons, as well as some reinforcements on the offensive line. They will be a force once again in the NFC West.
The future feels so bright for Liam Coen's Jaguars offense in 2026. They were able to achieve great things offensively for offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, despite having a down season from Brian Thomas Jr., whose rookie season looked like he was going to emerge as one of the best wide receivers in the game. They also suffered the loss of Travis Hunter right when he was starting to emerge as a go-to weapon for them in this offense. The acquisition of Jakobi Meyers really solidified the X-receiver for this team, and the emergence of Parker Washington gives this offense in 2026 four legitimate receiving options to put on the field for Trevor Lawrence at any time. Mix that with a quality run game featuring Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten, and you can see why the expectations will be high in 2026.
We don't know who the offensive coordinator is, but we know who the quarterback is. As long as you have Lamar Jackson, King Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and tight end weapons, you're going to have an opportunity to have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Expect them to bolster the offensive line this offseason as well.
Zac Taylor seems content to continue as the offensive play caller, even with Dan Pitcher there. The effectiveness of this offense will always come down to quarterback play. We saw the difference in the offense with Joe Burrow and without; as long as Burrow is in the lineup, and he has Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown as his weapons, this offense will be one of the scariest in the NFL.
Current offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been named the new head coach in Buffalo, so the offense should remain pretty consistent. Hopefully, they bring in some legitimate pass-catching options for Josh Allen to work with. James Cook is one of the best, most productive backs in the league, and if Dalton Kincaid can find some consistent health, he can be a major weapon in this offense.
The Giants' first choice as offensive coordinator is former Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken. His experience working with athletic quarterbacks with elite-level arms is well-documented, and Jaxson Dart is still a pretty raw piece of clay for him to help mold. Add in a healthy Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson—following up a 1000-yard season—and a couple of good receiving targets at tight end to complement a potential two-headed monster at running back, and this offense has elite written all over them.
Obviously, everything depends on the health and wellness of Patrick Mahomes, but this Chiefs offense has been deteriorating ever since Bienemy left for Washington. The accountability has returned, and you can be assured the toughness in the run attack will follow.
The Bucs have all the weapons one could ever ask for; several receiving options, even if Mike Evans does not return in 2026. They have Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker in the backfield, and every time Cade Otton is needed, he becomes a target monster. It is a good offense for Zac Robinson to return to elite status.
We know what this offense looks like when they get the coordinator correct; they go to the Super Bowl. The Eagles should be healthier on the offensive line in 2026, and they are likely to have all of the offensive pieces back in place. Do not let the exaggerated opinions sway you; this offense is still one of the best.
