Nate Tice & Robert Mays rank the top 12 mastermind playcallers in the NFL heading into the 2026 season. The duo kick things off with three NFC West head coaches at the top, debating the play-calling genius displayed by Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams), Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers) and defending champ Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks). Ben Johnson rounds out the top four for his masterful command of the Chicago Bears offense.
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Next up, Nate and Robert give some love to a pair of defensive coordinators with VERY different approaches in Vic Fangio (Philadelphia Eagles) and Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings), plus a few former star coordinators: Jesse Minter and Brian Schottenheimer, now head coaching the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys respectively.
The duo round things out with some offensive gurus that don’t receive enough appreciation: Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts) and Mike McDaniel (Los Angeles Chargers), plus plenty of honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list.
(3:15) – Top 4 playcallers: NFC genius head coaches
(37:10) – Playcallers 5-8: solid foundations vs. innovation
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(1:08:00) – Playcallers 9-12: underrated offensive gurus
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 23: Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks looks on in the third quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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