Every year, roughly ¼ of NFL teams see a change in their coaching staffs. This typically leads to a change in offensive schemes that could either help or hurt current players on the roster. For example, some play-callers are more pass-heavy, while others might utilize different personnel more often.
In this series, we will track all the new Head Coaches (HC)/Offensive Coordinators (OC) to see where their styles differentiate from the previous season, and how it will impact fantasy football in 2024.
Updated: 2/1/2024
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Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Hires
| Team | Head Coach | Offensive Coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| ATL | Raheem Morris | Zac Robinson |
| CAR | Dave Canales | Brad Idzik |
| CHI | Matt Eberflus | Shane Waldron |
| LAC | Jim Harbaugh | Greg Roman |
| LV | Antonio Pierce | Luke Getsy |
| NE | Jerod Mayo | Alex Van Pelt |
| NO | Dennis Allen | Klint Kubiak |
| PHI | Nick Sirianni | Kellen Moore |
| PIT | Mike Tomlin | Arthur Smith |
| SEA | Mike Macdonald | |
| TB | Todd Bowles | Liam Coen |
| TEN | Brian Callahan | HC Calls Plays |
| WAS | Dan Quinn | Kliff Kingsbury |
- Team: New England Patriots
- Previous Coach: Bill Belichick
- New Head Coach: Jerod Mayo
- New Offensive Coordinator: Alex Van Pelt (CLE OC)
Fantasy Impact – Bill O’Brien has already bolted for Ohio State, and the fact that the Patriots have promoted within made me think early on that Josh McDaniels would be back in New England. Instead, early indication suggests they will go outside the organization, and they did by hiring Alex Van Pelt.
Van Pelt has a lengthy history in the west coast scheme dating back to his days under Greg Olsen, Mike McCarthy, and most recently under Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland. The main issue, I have is he lack of QB development. Trent Edwards (Bills), Josh Freeman (Buccaneers) and Baker Mayfield (Browns) all failed to meet expectations under Van Pelt.
OC Interviews/Candidates – Frontrunner Nick Caley (currently LAR TE coach), Josh McDaniels, Luke Getsy (Former CHI OC), Brian Fleury (SF TE coach), Tanner Engstrand (DET Pass Game Coordinator), Thomas Brown (Former CAR OC),
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- Previous Head Coach: Josh McDaniels
- New Head Coach: Antonio Pierce (OC TBD)
- New Offensive Coordinator: Open
Fantasy Impact – The philosophy was clear under Antonio Pierce: run the football and get the ball to Davante Adams. Adams was 2nd in the NFL in targets per game once Pierce became the head coach. With Kliff Kingsbury off the board, we will see who becomes the next OC/QB for the Raiders? Full fantasy impact coming soon!
OC Interviews/Candidates – My Favorite Mike Sullivan (Interim PIT OC), Kliff Kingsbury (Former ARI HC), Klint Kubiak (SF Pass Game Specialist), Chip Kelly (Former PHI and SF Head Coach), Alex Van Pelt (Former CLE OC), and Luke Getsy (CHI OC)
Fantasy Impact – Brian Callahan has worked with Matthew Stafford, Peyton Manning, Derek Carr, and Joe Burrow, so his track record should help with the development of Will Levis. Treylon Burks would get a boost in this offense under a strong offensive mind as well. We will need to see if Callahan trusts Tyjae Spears as his feature back, but the Bengals’ history of using a bell-cow bodes well for Spears if he gets the nod.
Other Interviews – Dan Quinn, David Shaw, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Thomas Brown, Bobby Slowik, Brian Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and Mike Kafka
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Previous Offensive Coordinator: Luke Getsy
- New Offensive Coordinator: Shane Waldron (Seahawks OC)
Fantasy Impact – Shane Waldron has shown the ability to adapt to his players. In 2022, the Seahawks were 3rd in the NFL in drop-backs out of two tight end sets. In 2023, they moved to the middle of the pack with the addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Cole Kmet’s role should be solid, while D.J. Moore should continue to be the focal point at WR. Waldron could use a committee between Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, like Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. If that is the case, Herbert could be a late-round flyer as the early down back.
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- Previous Head Coach: Frank Reich
- New Head Coach: Dave Canales
Fantasy Impact – My first prediction was Bobby Slowik, but after the Panthers hired Dan Morgan as GM to lead the search for the next Head Coach, I now lean Dave Canales, which has since been confirmed. Morgan and Canales were both in Seattle for many years, and after seeing what Canales did for Baker, I think he would be a great fit for Bryce Young.
The Panthers would need to revamp their receiving core, but Canales has history with Ole Miss WRs, so maybe Mingo could emerge as a sleeper in this offense.
Interviews – Todd Monken, Dan Quinn, Raheem Morris, Ben Johnson, Dave Canales, Mike Macdonald, Bobby Slowik, Frank Smith, and Brian Callahan
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Previous Head Coach: Brandon Staley
- New Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Fantasy Impact – Jim Harbaugh’s ability to maximize his QBs should get fantasy managers excited for Justin Herbert. Harbaugh catered his offenses to the strength of Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick during his time in San Francisco.
As for the skill position group, Anquan Boldin played a featured role in the slot which makes Keenan Allen a perfect fit in this offense. Meanwhile, Frank Gore played a workhorse role, so whoever becomes the RB1 in Los Angeles could provide value in fantasy football in 2024.
Interviews – Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Dan Quinn, David Shaw, Mike Vrabel, Raheem Morris, Ben Johnson, Leslie Frazier, Steve Wilks, and Brian Callahan
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- Previous Head Coach: Arthur Smith
- New Head Coach: Raheem Morris
- New Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson
Fantasy Impact – Raheem Morris has brought in Rams Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson to be his OC. Robinson has been a part of the Rams staff since 2019. The first thing the Falcons need to do is find a QB of the future. Once they do, we should expect an overhaul on offense, especially at the skill positions.
The Rams run a lot of 11 personnel (3 WRs) which means they will need to add talent at that position. Meanwhile, the arrow should be pointing way up on Bijan Robinson. The Rams have been known to feature a workhorse back, including Kyren Williams in 2023.
Interviews – Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Aaron Glenn, Joe Brady, Mike Vrabel, Brian Johnson, Bobby Slowik, Raheem Morris, Mike Macdonald, Ben Johnson, Steve Wilks, Brian Callahan, and Anthony Weaver
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Previous Offensive Coordinator: Matt Canada/Mike Sullivan
- New Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Fantasy Impact – Oh boy! Maybe a return to his OC roots will be good for Arthur Smith, who seemed to overthink his personnel in Atlanta. It wasn’t too long ago that Smith helped Ryan Tannehill resurrect his career, so maybe a reunion makes sense.
The Steelers did say they wanted to bring in a veteran to compete with Kenny Pickett, so Tannehill would make sense due to his knowledge/success in Smith’s offense. If Smith is able to get the Steelers QB to play to an above-average level, they have the foundation with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, and Najee Harris to be a good offense.
Interviews – Zac Robinson and Arthur Smith
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Previous Offensive Coordinator: Brian Johnson
- New Offensive Coordinator: Kellen Moore
Fantasy Impact – I love the fit of Kellen Moore with the Eagles’ weapons. Prior to Mike McCarthy taking over as Head Coach in Dallas, Moore operated his scheme in 2019. That season, Dak Prescott was 2nd in the NFL in passing yards and 4th in passing TDs. Moore implemented an aggressive pass game that made Prescott 5th in ADOT and pass attempts of 20+ yards. This style of offense will be great for Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, who all thrive in the deep passing game.
Not to be overshadowed, Moore’s scheme has been fantastic for Tight Ends as well. Both Jason Witten and Dalton Schultz had TE1 finishes under Moore. Finally, in that 2019 season, Moore leaned on Ezekiel Elliott in the run game, giving him 301 carries and 355 touches.
Interviews – Zac Robinson and Arthur Smith
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Previous Head Coach: Pete Carroll
- New Head Coach: Mike MacDonald
- New Offensive Coordinator: Open
Fantasy Impact – With Shane Waldron now the Offensive Coordinator in Chicago, MacDonald will need to look elsewhere for an OC. Top candidates for MacDonald include Tanner Engstrand, Bobby Engram, Greg Roman, Marty Mornhinweg and Klint Kubiak!
Interviews – Dan Quinn, Mike Kafka, Patrick Graham, Mike Vrabel, Raheem Morris, Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik, Ejiro Evero, and Frank Smith
- Team: Washington Commanders
- Previous Head Coach: Ron Rivera
- New Head Coach: Dan Quinn
- New Offensive Coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury
Fantasy Impact – Dan Quinn has made his first major hire bringing in Kliff Kingsbury as his Offensive Coordinator. The next big question is, who will be the quarterback heading into 2024? The Commander hold the 2nd pick, and Kingsbury does have a history of developing rookie QBs. In his rookie season back in 2019, Kyler Murray was the QB7 for fantasy football. However, outside of Murray their weren’t many fantasy relevant players on that team. This could be a reason to fade the Commanders skill position players next season.
Interviews – Eric Bieniemy, Dan Quinn, Raheem Morris, Anthony Weaver, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Thomas Brown, Bobby Slowik, and Aaron Glenn,
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Previous Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
- New Offensive Coordinator: Klint Kubiak
Fantasy Impact – Keeping it in the West Coast family, the Saints hired Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is son of long time Head Coach and Mike Shanahan disciple Gary Kubiak. What this tree has in common with both Jon Gruden and Sean Payton is they all studied under the 49ers West Coast dynasty at some point in the early 90s. We saw how Derek Carr mastered this offense towards the end of his time with the Raiders, but a lot of times with new play-caller coming in, the team could get off to a slow start. That being said, I like the long term outlook for Carr and the Saints offense.
Interviews – Brian Griese, Klint Kubiak, and Luke Getsy
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Previous Offensive Coordinator: Dave Canales
- New Offensive Coordinator: Liam Coen
Fantasy Impact – The instant reaction of the hiring of Liam Coen is to bring in someone who could implement a similar style scheme as former OC Dave Canales. Canales served as Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach under Shane Waldron from 2021-2022 in Seattle. Meanwhile, Waldron and Liam Coen were both on the Rams staff under Sean McVay from 2018-2020. The connection should allow for a smoother transition if Baker Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay in 2024.
Interviews – Thad Lewis, Liam Coen, Alex Van Pelt, Antwaan Randle El, Jake Peetz, John Van Dam, Tanner Engstrand and Brian Johnson
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For more from Bobby and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @bobbylamarco.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FantasyPros, FFToday, Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders
