Ranking all 32 NFL Defensive Coordinators before the 2025 season

[Hawkeye0202]

I was curious which defensive coordinator might become available after the head coaching firing in 2026. If Jerry fires Eberflus, maybe he can find his replacement among these coordinators who were with their HC or have expiring contracts

But keep in mind, Jerry's last three defensive coordinators have been former head coaches. Two with Super Bowl experience.


https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-defensive-coordinator-rankings-2025/

Ranking All 32 NFL Defensive Coordinators Before the 2025 Season: Vic Fangio Climbs and Robert Saleh Returns​

July 1, 2025 | 8:00 AM EDT

NFL defenses have never been more forward-thinking than in 2025. While the league is still driven by offense, defensive coordinators have started dictating the action rather than waiting to react. That means deciding when to send extra pass rushers, determining how to disguise coverages both before and after the snap, and planning for potential roster contingencies.





Who are the best defensive minds in the NFL? Let’s rank every defensive coordinator in the league going into the 2025-26 season.

 

[Aven8]

I want Schott to think outside the box again and go get an Adams and Riley, but on Defense. It’s not popular but I would also take Rex. Only because he has a swagger that transforms a D. This D needs any confidence they can get

 

[Carson]

I want Schott to think outside the box again and go get an Adams and Riley, but on Defense. It’s not popular but I would also take Rex. Only because he has a swagger that transforms a D. This D needs any confidence they can get

Rex is all about money and spotlight

Two things Jerry will never surrender

 

[wecasa]

I mean either you look to college where it seems defense is optional or go pluck someone from another nfl staff. Spagnolo consistently keeps the kc defense at or around the top 1/3 of the league, grab someone there maybe the db or lb coach.

 

[Creeper]

Jeff Hafley played little league ball with my son. In a million years I never would have guessed his career would be in football.

 

[Cowboyny]

I want a DC hire like Schott did with his offensive hires. No prior relationship, but young innovative coaches.

 

[Smith22]

Saleh made a lot of sense, sadly didn't happen.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I mean either you look to college where it seems defense is optional or go pluck someone from another nfl staff. Spagnolo consistently keeps the kc defense at or around the top 1/3 of the league, grab someone there maybe the db or lb coach.

While this is true, you DC needs a lot of experience if he's going to match X&Os with the best offensive coordinators. You have a mess on your hand if he can't........see Eberflus (lol)

I hate to say but one guy to keep an eye on is Ron Riveria. He fits what Jerry would do to a T
**head coaching experience
**Super Bowl experience
** Jerry interviewed him in 2007 for a head coaching job before hiring Garrett.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I want a DC hire like Schott did with his offensive hires. No prior relationship, but young innovative coaches.

100% but see post #8 (lol)

 

[Mr_437]

I want a DC hire like Schott did with his offensive hires. No prior relationship, but young innovative coaches.

Schotty always says "we want to be multiple on offense and defense". Eberflus is not that he's very singular and predictable. Flus(h) scheme is the opposite of the core principle of what Schotty wants for his football team. It's sad because this defense might've been better with guys already on the roster. Jerry in Stephen are the problem, and these idiots will mess up a good thing.

I'm sure Schotty has a few DCs in mind, and the hope is the idiots let Schotty hire his own DC to complete his vision. The Joneses Eberflushed the 1st season of this man's head coaching tenure.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Schotty always says "we want to be multiple on offense and defense". Eberflus is not that he's very singular and predictable. Flus(h) scheme is the opposite of the core principle of what Schotty wants for his football team. It's sad because this defense might've been better with guys already on the roster. Jerry in Stephen are the problem, and these idiots will mess up a good thing.

I'm sure Schotty has a few DCs in mind, and the hope is the idiots let Schotty hire his own DC to complete his vision. The Joneses Eberflushed the 1st season of this man's head coaching tenure.

Good post! I agree 100% that Schotty probably has at least 2-3 quality DC replacements in mind if Jerry will get the hell out of his way.

 

[Johannes44]

I mean either you look to college where it seems defense is optional or go pluck someone from another nfl staff. Spagnolo consistently keeps the kc defense at or around the top 1/3 of the league, grab someone there maybe the db or lb coach.

LOL, we will end up getting someone from the Browns or Panthers staff. This trash bag franchise isn't capable of thinking "outside the box"

 

[Cowboyny]

Schotty always says "we want to be multiple on offense and defense". Eberflus is not that he's very singular and predictable. Flus(h) scheme is the opposite of the core principle of what Schotty wants for his football team. It's sad because this defense might've been better with guys already on the roster. Jerry in Stephen are the problem, and these idiots will mess up a good thing.

I'm sure Schotty has a few DCs in mind, and the hope is the idiots let Schotty hire his own DC to complete his vision. The Joneses Eberflushed the 1st season of this man's head coaching tenure.

The Jones family is a sucker for prior relationships. Clearly, he was a hire by them, not the HC. This is been going on for years, where he basically hire two separate coaches that aren't connected with their philosophy.

Maybe after this disaster, they allow Schott to make the hire as has brought in excellent young coaches on the offensive side.

I heard a rumor that Ken Norton Jr. is the name to watch. I would absolutely hate that hire as he runs a similar scheme to Eberflus.

 

[jwitten82]

Eberflus is garbage, but no DC would succeed here. We have no pass rushers people, our run d isn't good either

 

[maryquality]

Eberflus at #27??? Why isn't he #32?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I want Schott to think outside the box again and go get an Adams and Riley, but on Defense. It’s not popular but I would also take Rex. Only because he has a swagger that transforms a D. This D needs any confidence they can get

First thing I do is go see who works under the best coordinators.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

The Jones family is a sucker for prior relationships. Clearly, he was a hire by them, not the HC. This is been going on for years, where he basically hire two separate coaches that aren't connected with their philosophy.

Maybe after this disaster, they allow Schott to make the hire as has brought in excellent young coaches on the offensive side.

I heard a rumor that Ken Norton Jr. is the name to watch. I would absolutely hate that hire as he runs a similar scheme to Eberflus.

Ron Rivera.......no, he would not be my choice but he fits Jerry type. Former HC with Super Bowl experience. Jerry even interviewed him for the HC job before hiring Garrett in 2007.

But if it's me, I'm breaking the bank for Brian Flores

 

[Cowboyny]

Ron Rivera.......no, he would not be my choice but he fits Jerry type. Former HC with Super Bowl experience. Jerry even interviewed him for the HC job before hiring Garrett in 2007.

But if it's me, I'm breaking the bank for Brian Flores

Flores has done a tremendous job without any elite players. He could potentially turn around the defense in a hurry. Whomever they replace Eberflus with, their selling point should be a lot of fa dollars and multiple 1st rd picks for the next two seasons.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Flores has done a tremendous job without any elite players. He could potentially turn around the defense in a hurry. Whomever they replace Eberflus with, their selling point should be a lot of fa dollars and multiple 1st rd picks for the next two seasons.

Annnd a high-power offense that doesn't need a top 10 defense. He can literally rebuild this entire defense, except for a couple of players. Four 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks, over $40M cap .....we are 8-9 new players, including 2-3 free agents.

Question ........do you think Eberflus can be a top DC if given the same opportunity to build HIS on defense. I ask coz that may be the option we are stuck with.

 

[Cowboyny]

Annnd a high-power offense that doesn't need a top 10 defense. He can literally rebuild this entire defense, except for a couple of players. Four 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks, over $40M cap .....we are 8-9 new players, including 2-3 free agents.

Question ........do you think Eberflus can be a top DC if given the same opportunity to build HIS on defense. I ask coz that may be the option we are stuck with.

It is a good question to ask, as many teams are using the shell coverage schemes around the league to stop the big passing plays. Fangio, for example took a terrible Eagle defense and turned them around in a hurry with overhauling his secondary. Having a dominate front played a big part of it. They also found Baun off the street to become a legitimate candidate for defensive MVP last yr.

In my opinion, hope they go in another direction. We have seen this team struggle for years playing in the same scheme. It's sad, the last time we had an legitimate defense was when Wade was our HC.