Head Coach or Play Caller? Balancing Responsibilities in the Modern NFL

In a league as meticulously strategized as the NFL, every decision, from player acquisitions to in-game tactics, can significantly impact a team’s success. One of the most debated topics among analysts and fans alike is whether a head coach should also be the primary play-caller. This dual role, while seemingly efficient, presents a complex balancing act. As the 2025 season approaches, with teams like the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson and the New England Patriots with Josh McDaniels, the question remains: Is it an advantage or a hindrance for a head coach to call the plays?

The Allure of Control: Head Coaches Calling Plays

The appeal of a head coach calling plays lies primarily in the direct control it affords. Visionary coaches like Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers have demonstrated the heights that can be reached when the head coach is also the offensive architect. In 2024, Shanahan’s offense, despite facing significant injury challenges, still managed to rank impressively in offensive efficiency. These coaches possess an intimate understanding of their offensive systems and can make real-time adjustments with precision.

Strategic Cohesion: When the head coach is the play-caller, there’s a seamless alignment between the overarching game plan and the moment-to-moment decisions on the field. This cohesion can lead to more effective execution and a reduced risk of miscommunication.
Adaptability: Coaches like Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams have shown a remarkable ability to adapt their play-calling to match personnel and exploit opponent weaknesses. Their deep involvement allows for quicker identification of tactical advantages.
Maximizing Talent: A play-calling head coach can tailor the offensive scheme to the specific strengths of their players. For instance, the Miami Dolphins’ head coach, Mike McDaniel, is known for his creative play sequencing, which helps maximize the potential of his offensive unit.

The Demands of Two Jobs

However, the modern NFL head coach is tasked with an array of responsibilities that extend far beyond play-calling. Managing personnel, overseeing coaching staff, handling media obligations, and making critical game-management decisions all demand significant time and focus. Attempting to juggle these duties with the intense demands of play-calling can lead to burnout and a potential neglect of other crucial areas.

Divided Attention: Calling plays requires intense concentration and real-time analysis of defensive formations. This can distract the head coach from other vital responsibilities, such as clock management, challenging calls, and addressing player issues.
Potential for Burnout: The combined stress of managing a team and calling plays can be overwhelming. This can lead to decreased effectiveness in both roles and, ultimately, impact the team’s performance.
Limited Perspective: A head coach engrossed in play-calling may miss broader strategic opportunities or fail to recognize emerging issues on the defensive side of the ball.

The Rise of the Offensive Coordinator

The increasing complexity of NFL offenses has elevated the role of the offensive coordinator. These specialists dedicate their time to studying opponent defenses, designing playbooks, and customizing plays to suit personnel. In many cases, delegating play-calling duties to a capable offensive coordinator can free up the head coach to focus on the bigger picture.

Specialized Expertise: Offensive coordinators possess in-depth knowledge of offensive schemes and are adept at identifying and exploiting defensive vulnerabilities.
Dedicated Focus: By entrusting play-calling to the offensive coordinator, the head coach can devote more attention to overall game management, player development, and strategic planning.
Collaborative Approach: A strong head coach-offensive coordinator relationship can foster a collaborative environment where ideas are shared, and decisions are made collectively.

The Quarterback’s Role

The quarterback’s role in play-calling has evolved significantly over the years. While head coaches or offensive coordinators typically call the plays, quarterbacks often have the autonomy to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage based on the defensive alignment they see. Veteran quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes possess a deep understanding of the game and can effectively audible into more favorable plays.

Audibles and Adjustments: Quarterbacks can change plays at the line of scrimmage to exploit defensive weaknesses or adjust to unexpected situations.
Input and Collaboration: Quarterbacks often provide input on play selection and game planning, working closely with the head coach and offensive coordinator to develop a cohesive offensive strategy.
Leadership on the Field: The quarterback serves as an extension of the coaching staff on the field, communicating adjustments and ensuring that the offense operates smoothly.

Notable Examples

Several head coaches have successfully delegated play-calling duties to their offensive coordinators, resulting in improved team performance. Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles, for example, handed over play-calling duties to Shane Steichen during his first season, leading to a Super Bowl appearance in his second season. Similarly, Brian Daboll of the New York Giants had Mike Kafka call plays while he focused on guiding the team and winning NFL Coach of the Year.

In 2025, several new head coaches are stepping into top roles, inheriting struggling offenses. Ben Johnson, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, faces the challenge of turning around the Bears’ offense. Liam Coen, the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will also be tasked with revitalizing the Jaguars’ offensive schemes. Their success will depend on their ability to balance their head coaching responsibilities with their offensive expertise.

The Future of Play-Calling

The NFL is constantly evolving, and the role of technology in play-calling is becoming increasingly significant. Microsoft’s Copilot, equipped with AI capabilities, is now being integrated into Surface Pro tablets used by NFL teams. This technology provides real-time analysis of game data, enabling coaches to identify patterns and make more informed decisions.

AI-Powered Insights: Coaches can use AI to analyze defensive patterns and identify plays that have a high probability of success.
Real-Time Adjustments: AI can provide real-time feedback on play effectiveness, allowing coaches to make adjustments on the fly.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: AI can help coaches make more data-driven decisions, reducing the reliance on intuition and gut feelings.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether a head coach should call plays depends on the individual’s strengths, the composition of the coaching staff, and the specific needs of the team. While some coaches thrive in a dual role, others are more effective when they delegate play-calling duties to a trusted coordinator. As the NFL continues to evolve, the ability to adapt, collaborate, and leverage technology will be crucial for success.