The NFL’s most enduring indicator of success remains the pairing of a quarterback and his head coach. After six seasons of studying these duos, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid still set the standard, with the Chiefs creating a near-constant championship window. Yet the landscape is shifting: Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni have emerged as the strongest challengers, having reached the Super Bowl in three of the last five years and capturing one title. The 2025 rankings introduce a notable newcomer to the list as well, driven by one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in league history.
What’s behind the rankings
The framework for this year’s list mirrors previous years: 14 duos were considered for 10 spots, with team performance and recent success playing a major role. Rules specify that new coaches and quarterbacks on new teams don’t qualify immediately, and whether a coach calls plays or not doesn’t affect their standing. Longevity matters, but recent achievements—especially championships and MVP honors—can boost a duo’s placement.
Last year’s snapshot
Looking back at 2024, the top duos were dominated by established combinations, though a few rising pairs hinted at the changing guard. The biggest storylines centered on how long a pairing had been together, how far their teams had progressed in the postseason, and the extent to which those teams had translated regular-season success into deep playoff runs.
The 2025 top 10 quarterback/coach duos
10. C.J. Stroud / DeMeco Ryans (Texans)
Houston exceeded expectations by reclaiming the AFC South and advancing in the playoffs, marking a strong early return on Stroud and Ryans’ partnership. Stroud’s season saw a dip in some passing metrics, but the duo became only the third in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of their first two seasons, underscoring a bright growth trajectory.
9. Joe Burrow / Zac Taylor (Bengals)
Burrow remained among the league’s most productive passers, while Cincinnati faced a slow-starting season and defense concerns that kept them out of the postseason. The duo’s track record and Burrow’s MVP-caliber play kept them near the top of the list, with potential for a quick rebound in 2025.
8. Jared Goff / Dan Campbell (Lions)
Detroit’s breakthrough season showcased a high-powered offense and a franchise-altering turnaround. Goff posted historic scoring and yardage marks, and Campbell’s leadership helped spark three straight winning seasons and playoff progress, keeping this duo in the upper tier.
7. Jayden Daniels / Dan Quinn (Commanders)
The first-time entry on the list, Daniels and Quinn seized a dramatic 2024 ascent, lifting Washington to a 12-win season, a conference championship appearance, and multiple playoff wins—the franchise’s best run in decades. Daniels’ historic rookie-year dual-threat production and Quinn’s playoff experience made them a compelling case for the future.
6. Brock Purdy / Kyle Shanahan (49ers)
Despite a rare late-season slip, Purdy’s peak moments and Shanahan’s championship pedigree keep this pairing among the league’s elite. Purdy’s efficiency and the surrounding talent highlight the potential for sustained success in a competitive division.
5. Lamar Jackson / John Harbaugh (Ravens)
Jackson and Harbaugh sit firmly in the elite tier, with Baltimore posting impressive regular-season results and playoff appearances. Jackson’s dual-threat creativity and Harbaugh’s long-tenured leadership form one of the game’s most proven combinations.
4. Matthew Stafford / Sean McVay (Rams)
Stafford and McVay remain among the most proven championship-worthy duos. Even after a challenging season, their combined track record, postseason experience, and the Rams’ blue-chip talent base keep them in the conversation for title potential.
3. Josh Allen / Sean McDermott (Bills)
Allen and McDermott form the best non-championship pairing in the league. They win at a high clip and reach deep into the postseason, but have yet to break through against the Chiefs in the playoffs, which keeps them behind the very top tier.
2. Jalen Hurts / Nick Sirianni (Eagles)
Hurts and Sirianni have become one of the most consistently successful duos in recent years. With playoff runs and a championship under their belts, they are poised to challenge for the No. 1 spot, especially if Philadelphia maintains its roster strength and keeps taking steps in the postseason.
1. Patrick Mahomes / Andy Reid (Chiefs)
Mahomes and Reid remain the benchmark pairing. Kansas City’s sustained excellence—five Super Bowl appearances and three titles across six seasons—continues to set the standard. The duo’s combination of Mahomes’s all-around brilliance and Reid’s strategic mastery has kept them ahead, even as Hurts and Sirianni threaten to close the gap.
Takeaways and forward look
– The rise of Hurts-Sirianni reflects a broader trend: teams that blend elite quarterback play with a dynamic, adaptive coaching approach can sustain deep playoff runs.
– A new duo entering the top 10 signals that the league’s balance is shifting, with several franchises entering windows of sustained contention.
– Longevity helps, but recent success—especially championships and MVP-caliber seasons—can propel a duo up the rankings quickly.
Summary
The 2025 rankings reaffirm Mahomes and Reid as the standard-bearers for quarterback-coach success, while Hurts and Sirianni establish a credible, ongoing challenge. A fresh entry in the top 10 highlights the NFL’s evolving competitive landscape, where a handful of duos can rewrite how quickly a franchise transforms from hopeful to perennial contender.
Optional positive note
If the season unfolds as expected, fans could witness a renewed era of rivalry at the top, with Mahomes-Reid continuing to push the envelope and Hurts-Sirianni pressing for more championship hardware, keeping the league’s quarterback-coach hierarchy dynamic and exciting.
Estimated article summary
A recap of the 2025 top quarterback-coach duos emphasizes Mahomes-Reid’s continued dominance, the rapid ascent of Hurts-Sirianni, and a notable new entrant (Daniels-Quinn) joining the elite group, as the NFL’s headline duos navigate a season of evolving competition and potential championships.