July is “breakout” month in the NFL. Everyone’s optimism is sky-high, the sweaty slog of training camp hasn’t hit yet and we in the media are giddily producing a frenzy of predictions.
I wanted to give this a shot, too, highlighting coaches to watch in a league of so much organizational turnover from year to year. Amid all of that change, who might really impact their respective teams?
Some ground rules/parameters for this list of potential “breakout assistants,” created out of conversations with team and league sources, my own observations and film study, plus a couple of extra tidbits from our writers:
The assistant coach does not have to be a coordinator.
The coach may be well-known to one fanbase already — congrats, you guys know ball — but could make a greater impact locally and nationally in 2026.
Some coaches may be poised to receive interest for higher-level jobs, but to be included here they do not have to be “future head coaches” or “future coordinators” — they might just be really, really good at the job they have. The point is, you’ll notice their work.
I paired some coordinators together because of the overall potential of or intrigue in the tandem (my list, my rules).
So, whose coaching might stand out in 2026?
Arizona Cardinals: Jake Moreland, tight ends
While Arizona’s newly assembled staff under first-year coach Mike LaFleur is a bit of a mystery box, Moreland’s experience with the tight end-friendly iterations of LaFleur’s offensive system and his pro track record (which includes stops in Houston, Denver and with the New York Jets) stand out. On a team that features star tight end Trey McBride and a deep position room, Moreland could have an early impact.
Pass game specialist Connor Senger is another notable coach to keep an eye on; Senger had interviews for both quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator vacancies in the spring.
Atlanta Falcons: Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator
Rees was hired as a key part of new coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff after serving the same role under Stefanski in Cleveland. Rees, whose pro coaching background is with tight ends and in the passing game, will have some exciting skill players to work with — and big questions at quarterback with the arrival of Tua Tagovailoa and the injury recovery of Michael Penix Jr.
Baltimore Ravens: Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator
Doyle is the subject of much curiosity around the league as he enters his first season as Baltimore’s OC. He comes from the Sean Payton coaching tree and last worked as offensive coordinator under Ben Johnson in Chicago, so his potential in pairing with a versatile top quarterback in Lamar Jackson — a two-time MVP — is high.
Buffalo Bills: Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator
Conversations about Leonhard as a future NFL defensive coordinator circulated between coaches and executives well before Leonhard left the college game for his first pro assistant job in 2024 in Denver. Helping coach one of the best defenses in football under Broncos DC Vance Joseph made Leonhard a big hire for first-year Buffalo coach Joe Brady.
Carolina Panthers: Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator
It might seem strange to include an assistant who has already drawn plenty of interest for head coaching vacancies over the last few years, but Evero and the Panthers’ defense have also been rebuilding with the hope that 2026 is a breakout year for everyone. Carolina’s secondary was a real success story in 2025, and this spring the team added legitimate talent at pass rusher and inside linebacker. Ejiro has also assembled a talented, smart defensive staff. In the words of The Athletic senior writer Ted Nguyen, “(In 2025) the Panthers’ defense made the hardest jump, going from bottom of the barrel to below average, finishing 22nd in DVOA. With more added talent this offseason that are schematic fits like Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips, the defense should make another jump.”
Chicago Bears: Jim Dray, tight ends
Other than the quarterback, Bears coach Ben Johnson has made it clear that tight end is the most important element of his layered, explosive offensive system. That especially highlights Dray, whom Johnson retained from the Matt Eberflus-era staff. Dray will be coaching one of the most talented position rooms in the NFL, featuring Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland and rookie third-rounder Sam Roush.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dan Pitcher, offensive coordinator
Pitcher has drawn interest from other teams for both head coach and offensive coordinator positions. With Cincinnati clearly swinging for the fences after an active offseason in hopes of maximizing quarterback Joe Burrow’s prime, Pitcher could receive an even larger spotlight. Senior writer Paul Dehner Jr. also mentioned tight ends coach and run game coordinator James Casey, who he says is “beloved” in the building and has a big role in setting up the run-pass marriage for the rest of the offense.
Cleveland Browns: Mike Rutenberg, defensive coordinator
Rutenberg was a key assistant for a 2025 Atlanta Falcons defense that exceeded expectations and played with energy, despite the team’s uneven season. Now in Cleveland, Rutenberg will be tasked with developing a group of mostly young players as the Browns continue their rebuild. His ability to teach, plus his schematic roots (more recently of the Robert Saleh/Jeff Ulbrich tree), will be the subject of much interest.
Dallas Cowboys: Klayton Adams, OC and Christian Parker, DC
It was impossible to decide between second-year OC Adams and first-year DC Parker, who combine to make as exciting a coordinator tandem as we’ll see in 2026. Adams, a former offensive line coach, schematically blends modern, physical run concepts with a high-potential passing game. Parker is a disciple of storied Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, tasked with turning the Cowboys defense into a true threat — and those who have worked with Parker believe he can do it.
Denver Broncos: Davis Webb, offensive coordinator
After serving as quarterbacks coach for Bo Nix and others, Davis Webb was promoted to Denver Broncos offensive coordinator. (Aaron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post via Getty Images)
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, league people said Webb is sharp and extremely confident taking on offensive play calling for the first time. The pressure of having meticulous head coach Sean Payton also in the headset is no small thing, but those people believe Webb, who has drawn head coaching interest, is more than up to the challenge.
Detroit Lions: Kelvin Sheppard, defensive coordinator
At league meetings in the spring, Sheppard was among the assistant coaches drawing buzz among head coaches and general managers. His energy, apparent buy-in from players and increased experience in the role in his second season have both Sheppard and the Lions’ defense set up well for a bounce-back 2026.
Green Bay Packers: DeMarcus Covington, outside LBs/run game coordinator/assistant head coach
Covington has a really strong coaching background — seven seasons working under Bill Belichick and other New England assistants, including Brian Flores when he was the Patriots’ DC — and was retained in Green Bay by new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon on his arrival in 2026. Covington has also received interest for defensive coordinator openings in previous years, but may get more recognition in 2026, with curious eyes wondering how the Packers’ defense will fare both without Micah Parsons and after Parsons returns from his 2025 injury.
Houston Texans: Nick Caley, OC and Matt Burke, DC
The two coordinators will be very interesting to study in a season of lofty expectations in Houston. Caley’s offense is expected to take another step forward (aided by a retooled run game and the addition of running back David Montgomery) while Burke took over defensive play calling from head coach DeMeco Ryans last season and excelled in the role.
Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso deserves a significant mention here, too — the Texans have become a talent factory at every position in their secondary under Vasso, who could get even more coordinator interest this spring.
Indianapolis Colts: Alex Tanney, passing game coordinator
Before his season-ending injury, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was enjoying a career season, and Tanney was one of the coaches who served as a behind-the-scenes architect. He worked with head coach Shane Steichen at his previous stop in Philadelphia and has become an extremely valuable assistant to him.
Cam Turner, the Colts’ quarterbacks coach, also gets a nod here. He was described to me as a “glue guy” in Indianapolis who, like Tanney, helps set the schematic table for offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Steichen.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator
Udinski’s first season under Jacksonville coach Liam Coen was already the subject of much interest in league circles following a successful stint with the Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell. He drew head coaching interest after the Jaguars’ exceptional 2025 season, and ultimately received a contract extension in Jacksonville in the spring. Both coaching mentors have heartily praised Udinski’s work ethic and attention to detail in developing the offensive plan each week.
Kansas City Chiefs: Joe Bleymaier, passing game coordinator
The Chiefs have enjoyed a dynasty, which isn’t achievable without having many unsung architects behind the scenes. Bleymaier, who has also coached receivers and quarterbacks in his decade with the team, was described by some who know or have worked with him as the “secret sauce” in the building.
One league source noted with interest that the Chiefs have also brought aboard Chad O’Shea as receivers coach this season — a very interesting role, with that position group again under a lot of scrutiny entering 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders: Luke Steckel, tight ends
Steckel was retained by new head coach Klint Kubiak, in part as a nod of respect to his work with young superstar tight end Brock Bowers in his first two NFL seasons under the previous coaching regimes. The position figures to have an even bigger role in Kubiak’s offensive system, which uses multiple tight ends and moves them all around the formation in both run and pass concepts — including screens.
Los Angeles Chargers: Chris O’Leary, defensive coordinator
This may seem glib, but the point is serious: O’Leary is the latest in a series of Jim (or John) Harbaugh assistants who has talent, hits the college game for a little while to learn more about the schemes and pressure packages being used there — and which often trickle up to the NFL level as the players do — and then returns to the pro game as a key staffer. O’Leary — a former Chargers assistant who led the Western Michigan defense in 2025 — is also taking over for Jesse Minter, the Ravens’ first-year head coach. Now he’ll put his own stamp on that defensive system.
Los Angeles Rams: Nate Scheelhaase, OC and Chris Shula, DC
Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
Scheelhaase will enter his first season in the coordinator role while Shula enters his third. The Super Bowl expectations in L.A. are in the stratosphere after two big trades — for cornerback Trent McDuffie, and, of course, pass rusher Myles Garrett. Both coordinators had head coaching interviews last offseason, and organizations are watching to see what they do with an offense and a defense that are both jam-packed with talent.
Miami Dolphins: Sean Duggan, defensive coordinator
It’s always good to keep an eye on any assistants a new head coach brings with him to another team, and the Dolphins’ Jeff Hafley has clearly identified Duggan as one of “his” guys. Duggan, now a coordinator for the first time at the pro level, was both a defensive assistant and a linebackers coach in Green Bay, and also worked with Hafley previously at Boston College. The Dolphins are rebuilding, but Duggan could get some attention if the defense exceeds expectations.
Minnesota Vikings: Josh McCown, quarterbacks
McCown is another assistant coach who drew some buzz at the league meetings, and there will be a lot of scrutiny on him this season with veteran free-agent addition Kyler Murray now on the roster alongside third-year quarterback JJ McCarthy. That could easily shift to interest, and then excitement, should Murray play as well as many are expecting him to under McCown, coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips.
A league source also noted the addition by O’Connell of former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as the assistant head coach — pointing to a possible internal effort to overhaul and improve Minnesota’s run game.
New England Patriots: Zak Kuhr, defensive coordinator
Kuhr’s path to his current role — and then his prowess at it — has been unique. After filling in for DC Terrell Williams last season while Williams was ill, Kuhr (who was only supposed to be coaching linebackers in 2025) excelled enough to earn the full-time job in the offseason. As our senior writer Chad Graff put it, “if the defense is good again he’ll look like a shocking breakout star.”
Passing game coordinator Thomas Brown may draw more attention this season after his work with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye last year — especially if the Patriots’ offense continues to excel.
New Orleans Saints: Terry Joseph, defensive pass game coordinator
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system has always featured coverage principles that can be complicated and require great teaching and communication from coach to player (why Joseph is in this role), and from player to player. Especially through the second half of last season, anyone watching the Saints could see the defense’s transformation and improvement and the development of some of its young players — and Joseph played a large role in this.
New York Giants: Charlie Bullen, outside linebackers/run game coordinator
John Harbaugh has always had an eye for coaching talent, and it speaks well of Bullen’s potential that he was retained from the previous coaching regime and even got an expanded role as run game coordinator. His position group already featured Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux; the team also drafted versatile defender Arvell Reese in the spring. Bullen will have every opportunity to show his impact on the defense.
New York Jets: Chris Banjo, special teams coordinator
Banjo “is going to be a head coach,” says his former coach and one-season boss Sean Payton. That comment was relayed to our senior writer Zack Rosenblatt, who attested to Banjo’s ability entering the young coordinator’s second season on the job. “In one year,” added Rosenblatt, “Banjo pulled off the difficult feat of being the only Jets coach with a universal approval rating from players and fans.” By the way, the Jets had the No. 1 special teams EPA in the 2025 regular season, per TruMedia.
Philadelphia Eagles: Joe Kasper, defensive pass game coordinator
If a young assistant coach can stick around — and even thrive — under top defensive mind Vic Fangio, he is often destined for bigger things. Kasper has worked for Fangio in both Miami and Philadelphia, and is poised for a bigger role now that former colleague Christian Parker (another Fangio disciple) is in Dallas. Nguyen, our senior writer, noted that the “two-high trend will continue to grow and it seems like coaches that can successfully implement some of Fangio’s ideas into their systems take it to another level.”
High expectations also surround first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who is expected to bring elements of Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay/Shanahan-derived system to Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator
That Graham, one of the more respected assistants in the NFL, with a schematic arsenal he didn’t get to use all that much as the DC of the embattled Raiders, took over a high-ceiling defense full of veteran players in Pittsburgh was one of the most underrated and exciting moves of the offseason. Graham has drawn interest for head coaching vacancies in the past, so perhaps he’s not technically a “breakout” candidate — but a fresh reset in Pittsburgh could be huge.
San Francisco 49ers: Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator
While brother Klint Kubiak secured a head coaching job in Arizona, Klay Kubiak, right, will be Mike Shanahan’s offensive coordinator in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Don’t look now, there’s another Kubiak! The first-year offensive coordinator worked his way up after initially joining the 49ers as a defensive assistant in 2021. He also was an assistant quarterbacks coach and passing game specialist. External observers may see a natural path for Kubiak similar to that of his brother, now-Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who worked under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan as a passing game coordinator in 2023.
Seattle Seahawks: Aden Durde, defensive coordinator
Some league sources were very surprised that Durde did not get more head coaching interest last winter, with Seattle’s defense playing at such an elite level. Durde has gotten praise from players and his coaching colleagues for his expertise in head coach Mike Macdonald’s system, his collaborative attitude and his teaching and communication skills with players and other assistants.
An additional nod is needed toward special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, who coached one of the most exciting units in the NFL last season — and one that gave Seattle a serious edge throughout the postseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chandler Whitmer, quarterbacks
While plenty of league curiosity surrounds new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Whitmer will probably also draw a lot of his own after spending the last season as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of College Football Playoff champion Indiana … and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Whitmer, now paired with Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, has also previously worked with Kirk Cousins (in Atlanta, as pass game specialist under Robinson) and Justin Herbert (with the Los Angeles Chargers, as offensive quality control).
Tennessee Titans: Dalton Hilliard, defensive backs/nickels
Hilliard will be in his first NFL coaching season after a decade in college football. While Tennessee’s new coaching staff is a bit of a wild card, its structure shows real potential — and part of my reasoning starts with Hilliard. To split the three DBs coaches (safeties, cornerbacks, nickels) into more specific designations is interesting in itself and extremely in tune with the modern game. But to have a coach in Hilliard who will specialize in nickel players (whether corner, safety or hybrid linebacker) speaks even further to how head coach Robert Saleh wants to react to the latest offensive evolutions that force defenses to cover “move” players of all sizes, from tight ends (including out of heavier personnel groupings) to fullbacks and large slot receivers. This might be a really smart way to structure a defensive staff in this era, and Hilliard will play a key role in that.
Washington Commanders: David Blough, OC and Daronte Jones, DC
Blough and Jones combine to make another very intriguing coordinator pairing, and one facing a lot of pressure after a down year for Washington. They both will call plays, and both are first-year coordinators at the pro level. Blough did play a part in quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Offensive Rookie of the Year season in 2024 as the assistant quarterbacks coach and worked his way up to his current role; meanwhile, Jones was a key assistant for the last few years of exceptional Brian Flores-led defenses in Minnesota, with a long college football resume prior to that.