The First Quarter of the Season: A Snapshot
The 2026 NFL season is already a quarter of the way through, and while it might be premature to draw definitive conclusions about all ten new head coaches in the league, it's a good time to assess their starts. Analyzing their performances gives us a better understanding of how they are managing their teams, factoring in their win-loss records, offensive and defensive strengths, and the overall morale within the locker room.
Brady's Electric Offense
Record: 3-1
Bill Brady’s arrival has injected life into the Bills, who currently boast the highest-scoring offense in the league. Through four weeks, they've led the NFL in explosive plays, demonstrating Brady’s capability to revitalize an ailing unit. However, the team faced challenges in Weeks 3 and 4, becoming the beneficiaries of some fortunate breaks. Had it not been for the mistakes of their opponents, the Bills could very well find themselves with a disappointing 1-3 record. At this juncture, Brady earns a commendable grade of B.
Hafley’s Surprising Defense
Record: 0-4
Despite the winless record, Hafley’s defense has emerged as a surprising strength for a team typically mired in struggles. Notably, they managed to restrict the Vikings to zero touchdowns in Week 4 and posted an average of just 19.5 points allowed in the previous two games against strong opponents like the Chiefs and Vikings. The foundation of a robust defense appears to be forming despite the team’s overall lack of talent, earning Hafley a promising A grade. However, his clock management and slow starts will necessitate improvement moving forward.
Harbaugh's Culture Reset
Record: 3-1
John Harbaugh is impressively stabilizing the franchise amidst injury setbacks. Under his guidance, the team has shown remarkable resilience, holding a surprising position at the top of their division thanks to a series of key takeaways and strong defensive plays. Yet, they narrowly escaped defeat against both the Cardinals and Titans—teams that struggled themselves. As the season progresses and the competitiveness of their schedule increases, it remains to be seen how they’ll fare. For now, Harbaugh deserves an A for his efforts.
Kubiak's Raiders Rising
Record: 3-1
Gary Kubiak has successfully rejuvenated the Raiders' competitive spirit. With the offense sitting in eighth place for scoring, Kubiak has fostered improvement in a team plagued by inconsistency in recent seasons. Despite their solid performance, the Raiders must address a troubling number of turnovers—currently standing at six throughout the season. A more innovative offensive strategy could benefit them greatly. Still, for Kubiak’s leadership and progress, an A grade is fitting.
LaFleur's Cardinal Blues
Record: 1-3
The Cardinals have managed to score at least 24 points in three out of their first four games, showcasing some offensive potential. However, their lack of deep plays has hindered their effectiveness significantly, as they only generated five 20-plus-yard plays all season. Coach LaFleur also underperformed in game management during a tough Week 4 loss to the Giants. Thus, possessing a 1-3 record while remaining competitive earns LaFleur a C+ for the opening quarter of the season.
McCarthy's Mixed Bag
Record: 2-2
Mike McCarthy’s team finds itself tied for a mediocre position with a 2-2 record. The offense showcases potential with a top-10 rank for explosive plays but struggles with effectiveness in the red zone and third down conversions. This inconsistency limits their overall scoring potential, placing them in the bottom tier offensively. A D+ grade reflects the need for substantial improvement this season, primarily focusing on maximizing their offensive capabilities.
Ravens' Defensive Prospects
Record: 3-1
The Ravens are navigating through the season in a strong position. With an impressive record and their offense showing promise, the potential loss of star quarterback Lamar Jackson poses an impending challenge. Nevertheless, their defensive unit must step up as they’ve allowed an average of 24 points per game. With penalties and pressure metrics underwhelming, coach John Harbaugh faces crucial adjustments ahead, meriting a D grade for current performance.
Watson's Cleveland Culture Shift
Record: 3-1
Deshaun Watson’s leadership has proved successful thus far, showing adaptability despite entering the season with significant changes. The culture of the Browns appears to be shifting positively, but challenges persist in red-zone efficiency and third-down conversions. They also need to focus on reducing one of the league's highest penalty counts. A solid B+ performance reflects the progress made but highlights areas requiring improvement.
Saleh's Defense Flowering Amidstruggles
Record: 0-4
Robert Saleh’s defense is performing commendably given their struggles, having authorized the ninth-fewest points thus far in the league. With the offense facing challenges, the Titans are proving their mettle competitively despite their dismal record. An encouraging B grade indicates hope for future improvements, particularly as the team seeks to boost offensive performance.
Stefanski's Stellar Unit
Record: 2-2
Kevin Stefanski has unleashed the potential of Michael Penix Jr., allowing his offense to not only thrive in the red zone but also earn a top-10 score overall. After an early rough patch, they’ve turned their performance around, although the turnover issues present ongoing concerns. A notable A+ grade celebrates the team’s recovery and showcases Stefanski’s coaching prowess.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As the teams continue to navigate through the 2026 NFL season, the new head coaches will face myriad challenges that test their strategies and resilience. Successful adaptations, particularly for those trailing in the standings, will be crucial as they aim to cultivate winning environments and ultimately steer their teams to victory.
