The 2025 NFL Playbook: How Shanahan & McVay’s Offspring are Rewriting Offensive Strategies

The NFL is a constantly evolving league, and in 2025, the echoes of Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay’s innovative offensive philosophies are louder than ever. These two coaches, who once shared a staff in Washington, have spawned a league-wide movement, with their disciples and imitators alike reshaping how offenses attack opposing defenses. Just last season, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Saquon Barkley’s dominant rushing performance, showcased the power of a strong ground game in controlling the clock and dictating the flow of the game. But the modern NFL offense is more than just a power run game; it’s a complex, multifaceted attack built on adaptability and deception, and the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree is at the forefront.

The Shanahan System: Zone Runs and Condensed Formations

Kyle Shanahan’s influence on the modern NFL offense is undeniable. His system, built on outside zone runs and play-action passing, has become a staple for teams across the league. The foundation of Shanahan’s offense is the outside zone run, where the offensive line blocks horizontally, forcing defenders to run laterally across the field. This creates opportunities for cutbacks and allows the running back to exploit gaps in the defense.

Shanahan also utilizes condensed formations, packing his receivers closer to the middle of the field. According to Next Gen Stats, the 49ers’ offensive formation stretches just 19.9 yards from end to end, the tightest alignment in the NFL. This forces defensive backs to work inside-out, opening up the middle of the field for passing plays. These tight formations also create a credible threat to run, making play-action passes even more effective. In 2024, condensed formations resulted in passes 49% of the time, gaining 7.7 yards per attempt, a full yard more than spread formations.

Several coaches have successfully implemented Shanahan’s system, including:

Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): McDaniel, who worked under Shanahan in San Francisco, has built a high-powered offense in Miami, led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. In 2023, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards (4,624), showcasing the effectiveness of McDaniel’s Shanahan-inspired scheme.
Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans): Slowik, another Shanahan disciple, transformed the Texans’ offense in 2023, helping rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud break records and lead the team to a surprising playoff appearance.

The McVay Model: Versatility and Adaptability

Sean McVay, the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, has also had a significant impact on the NFL’s offensive landscape. McVay’s offense is known for its versatility and adaptability, constantly evolving to exploit defensive weaknesses. McVay emphasizes pre-snap motion and diverse personnel groupings to keep defenses guessing.

McVay’s coaching tree is extensive, with several of his former assistants becoming head coaches around the league:

Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): LaFleur has led the Packers to consistent success, winning 13 games in each of his first three seasons. LaFleur’s offense blends elements of the Shanahan and McVay systems, emphasizing the run game and play-action passing.
Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): Taylor, another McVay disciple, has guided the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and has developed Joe Burrow into one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): O’Connell, the 2024 Coach of the Year, has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s most inventive play-callers. A product of the McVay coaching tree, O’Connell has taken that foundation and built something of his own with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Next Generation of Offensive Innovators

While Shanahan and McVay continue to influence the NFL, a new generation of offensive innovators is emerging, building upon their foundations and adding their own wrinkles. Ben Johnson, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, orchestrated one of the most efficient and productive offenses in recent memory as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

These young coaches are embracing new concepts and technologies, such as:

Run-Pass Options (RPOs): RPOs allow quarterbacks to make real-time decisions based on defensive movement, making offenses more efficient and explosive.
Advanced Analytics: Teams are increasingly relying on data analytics to drive play-calling decisions, optimizing strategies for better performance.
The Pistol Offense: More teams are adopting the Pistol formation, which blends elements of shotgun and single-back formations to create a more unpredictable, balanced attack.

The Impact of College Football

Offensive innovation is no longer solely a top-down process in the NFL. NFL teams are now borrowing heavily from the college ranks, often out of necessity. When college quarterbacks enter the draft, they bring their schemes and tendencies with them. NFL coaches realized that instead of reshaping QBs to fit traditional systems, they’d be better off adapting to what made them successful in college. Now, Sunday playbooks feature more RPOs, shotgun formations, jet sweeps, and no-huddle tempos—all staples of the college game for years.

The Future of NFL Offenses

As the NFL continues to evolve, offenses will likely become even more complex and adaptable. The influence of Shanahan and McVay will continue to be felt, but the next generation of offensive minds will undoubtedly add their own unique stamps to the game. The key to success in the modern NFL will be the ability to blend traditional concepts with innovative strategies, constantly adapting to stay one step ahead of the competition. With the rise of AI, some believe that it will make its way into NFL play calling. According to YouGov data, 54% of NFL fans agree that artificial intelligence is just the next step in evolution.