Top Quarterback and Coaching Duos in the NFL

In the NFL, if a franchise can get an outstanding coach and quarterback combination together, they can create dynasties together. We have seen this with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as they went on to win six Super Bowls despite all the changes to the team along the way. We’ve broken down the top coaches in the league currently, but those coaches will only go so far if they don’t have the right quarterback. Therefore, let’s look at the franchises that have both a dynamic quarterback and a crafty coach. 

1. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid - Chiefs

It is no surprise that the three-time Super Bowl-winning duo lands at number one on this list. Without Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid has a 58% win percentage for his career, but with Patrick Mahomes, the duo have a 77% win percentage together. Now, for much of Coach Reid’s career, he didn’t have a quarterback who could execute on his complicated offensive scheme so it's not fair to give Mahomes all the credit for the Chiefs' success. However, much like Belichick and Brady’s dynasty in New England demonstrated, the quarterback is a massive decider on who wins and loses a game, especially when the game is close and you need one final drive to win it. This duo has shown time and time again over the past few years that they are up for the task of being the hunted in the NFL and they are here to stay.

2. C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans - Texans

A young and trendy pick as both, C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans enter the season with massive expectations on their shoulders. After the Texans ended up 3-14 in 2022, this combination was put in to start 2023, and wow did they turn heads going 10-7. Everyone, including myself, expected Stroud to struggle with a rookie head coach at the wheel and a lot of unproven weapons on both sides of the ball. However, under the strong leadership of DeMeco Ryans, Stroud became one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL overnight throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. If the defense can continue to improve and the new offensive weapons with Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon can produce, then the Texans can likely put themselves right alongside the Chiefs as one of the strongest teams in the AFC.

3. Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh - Ravens

Lamar Jackson has been a wildly dynamic quarterback since entering the league. This combination with John Harbaugh has allowed both to be able to play the game to their strong suits. John Harbaugh wants to be able to run the ball effectively like an old-school coach, and Lamar gives the Ravens that ability by being a true dual-threat quarterback. Last year, the combo was able to record an outstanding 14-3 in the regular season with Lamar Jackson throwing for 3,678 yards, rushing for 821 yards, and scoring a total of 29 touchdowns. Although they currently have limited playoff success together so far, they should be optimistic about their future.

4. Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh - Chargers

Justin Herbert will hopefully, finally be getting a head coach who is going to stick around for the long term. Throughout Herbert’s four-year career so far, he will be entering the season with his third new head coach. However, this time is different as Herbert will get the benefit of a premier coach in Jim Harbaugh. With Jim Harbaugh at the reins, he will give this team an identity and a new culture of toughness which this team has been missing for years. This is similar to what he did with the Michigan program at the collegiate level. Together, Jim Harbaugh should get the defense and the offensive line to play more physically, while Herbert should have less on his plate as the Chargers should become more of a play-action-pass-based team.

5. Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur - Packers

Following Jordan Love securing a new long-term deal with the Packers, the franchise is now looking for the pairing of Love and LaFleur to put on a show in the NFC. With most of the best quarterback and coach combinations in the AFC, there are fewer threats similar to them in the NFC. LaFleur has shown through his young coaching career that he can develop young talent very well as just about all the position groups on this team are young and without many obvious weaknesses. As they continue to develop, they should be able to secure a playoff position without much trouble, the question will be whether they can surpass some of the very well-rounded teams in the NFC like the 49ers in the playoffs.