Next-Gen Offenses: Unpacking the Most Innovative NFL Coaching Schemes Set to Dominate in 2025
The NFL is a constantly evolving landscape, where innovation is the name of the game. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, several offensive coaching schemes are poised to revolutionize the way football is played. These next-gen offenses are characterized by their adaptability, creativity, and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses. With the rise of dynamic play-callers and versatile players, the league is on the cusp of witnessing a new era of offensive football.
The Shanahan-McVay Influence and Beyond
It’s impossible to discuss innovative offensive schemes without acknowledging the profound impact of Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams. These coaches have reshaped the modern NFL coaching landscape, and their influence can be seen in many of the league’s up-and-coming offensive minds. As noted by The Ringer, Shanahan and McVay earned head coaching opportunities after successful stints as play-callers, setting a trend for teams to prioritize offensive innovators.
Shanahan’s offense is known for its zone running scheme, play-action passing, and ability to create explosive plays. Even after a year where the 49ers fell short of expectations, they still finished the 2024 season 11th in EPA per play on offense. McVay, on the other hand, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt his offense to his personnel. The Jared Goff offense looks nothing like the Matthew Stafford offense, showcasing McVay’s versatility and creativity. In the 2025 NFL Draft, McVay alluded to Ferguson’s ability to scheme “some different things” for their offense.
Key Coaching Hires and Their Offensive Philosophies
Several new coaching hires are expected to bring fresh offensive ideas to their respective teams in 2025. Ben Johnson, now at the helm of the Chicago Bears, is one such example. Johnson is a creative play-designer and fearless play-caller who coordinated the NFL’s most explosive offense with the Detroit Lions. Now, he gets to work with Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and DJ Moore, giving him the tools to build a dynamic and high-scoring offense in Chicago.
Liam Coen, who has returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is another coach to watch. Coen’s work with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he revived a dormant running game and helped Baker Mayfield have a career-best season, caught the eye of Jaguars owner Shad Khan. Coen will have some talent to work with in Jacksonville, including running backs Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, and receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The Rise of Versatile Personnel Groupings
One of the key trends in next-gen offenses is the use of versatile personnel groupings to create mismatches and keep defenses guessing. Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, is an example of a coach who is embracing this approach. Kingsbury, known for his spread offenses in Arizona, has shown more flexibility in Washington, varying his personnel usage and incorporating more 2+ TE sets.
Sean McVay’s selection of tight end Terrance Ferguson gives him the most creative freedom he’s had in some time with his offense. The Rams can get a bit more creative offensively. Ferguson can line up inline or flexed around the formation, giving the Rams the illusion of 11-personnel but keeping 12-personnel tendencies.
The Importance of Adaptability and Evolution
In today’s NFL, it’s not enough to have a great scheme; coaches must also be able to adapt and evolve their offenses to stay ahead of the curve. As Kyle Shanahan has shown, there is no “Shanahan offense” anymore, given the amount of times this offense has evolved. The 2024 version featured less play-action than ever for a Shanahan-led offense and thrived on opening up plays deeper down the field.
Similarly, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has demonstrated a willingness to adjust his offense based on his personnel and the defenses he faces. McDaniel’s offense is unique in the way it asks the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly and the receivers to get down the field faster than any other offense in the league.
The Role of Next Gen Stats
Next Gen Stats (NGS) have become an integral part of NFL offenses, providing coaches with valuable data and insights to improve their play-calling and game planning. NFL player tracking, also known as Next Gen Stats, is the capture of real time location data, speed and acceleration for every player, every play on every inch of the field. Sensors throughout the stadium track RFID tags placed on players’ shoulder pads, charting individual movements within inches in every NFL stadium.
These stats can be used to identify defensive tendencies, exploit mismatches, and optimize play designs. For example, Next Gen Stats can help coaches determine the optimal time to throw, the best routes to run against certain coverages, and the most effective blocking schemes.
Examples of Innovative Offensive Schemes
Several specific offensive schemes are gaining traction in the NFL and are expected to be prominent in 2025:
- Spread Offense: The Spread Offense is recognized for its wide alignment, which spreads the defense horizontally across the field. This scheme features four or more receivers with a running back in the backfield and the quarterback in the shotgun or pistol formation. The goal is to create space by stretching the defense and opening up lanes for passing and running games.
- Power Run Offense: The Power Run Offense is a ground-based offensive play-calling scheme based on a strong running game through physicality and superior blocking. The balanced run game aligns two tight ends or a fullback and a running back, with the offensive line to dominate the line of scrimmage.
- Wishbone Offense: The Wishbone Offense is a classic offensive scheme renowned for being a strong running attack and allowing versatility. The Wishbone is one of the offensive formations with a distinctive backfield alignment – three running backs in a “wishbone” shape behind the quarterback.
Conclusion
As the NFL continues to evolve, the next-gen offenses are poised to take center stage in 2025. With innovative coaching schemes, versatile personnel groupings, and the use of advanced analytics, these offenses are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the football field. As fans, we can look forward to witnessing a new era of high-scoring, exciting, and unpredictable offensive football.