The NFC's Offensive Revolution: How Head Coaches Are Taking Control of the Playbook
Across the NFC, a quiet but powerful trend is reshaping the way teams operate on Sundays - and it starts at the top. Eight of the conference’s head coaches are not just managing the big picture; they’re also calling their team’s offensive plays. That’s a staggering number compared to the AFC, and it’s turning the NFC into a hotbed of schematic innovation, quarterback development, and offensive identity.
These coaches aren’t just holding the call sheet. They’re defining how their teams attack, adjust, and evolve - week in and week out. And while each brings their own flavor to the table, one name still stands above the rest.
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers - The Gold Standard
Let’s start with the man who’s become the modern benchmark for offensive head coaches: Kyle Shanahan.
If you’re building a playbook in today’s NFL, odds are you’re borrowing something from Shanahan. His motion-heavy, wide-zone foundation has become the most copied offensive system in the league.
It’s not just about the scheme - it’s the way he layers concepts, sequences plays, and manufactures space for his quarterback. Every detail is intentional, from how the offensive line steps on a zone run to how the receivers shift pre-snap to dictate coverage.
Shanahan doesn’t just call plays - he orchestrates them. And that level of control, precision, and adaptability has made San Francisco’s offense both explosive and efficient.
His influence is everywhere in the league, but no one runs it quite like he does. In a conference full of offensive minds, Shanahan is still the one everyone’s chasing.
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys - Structured Aggression
In Dallas, Brian Schottenheimer has taken over playcalling duties - his first time doing so since 2020 in Seattle - and the early returns have been promising. Known historically for leaning on the run, Schottenheimer has started to evolve. There’s more motion in this Cowboys offense than we’ve seen from him in years past, and it’s paying off.
What makes Schottenheimer interesting is the balance he’s trying to strike: physicality in the run game paired with calculated aggression through the air. He’s not reinventing the wheel, but he’s clearly adapting - and that’s a big deal in a conference where innovation is the name of the game.
Ben Johnson, Bears - The Rising Star
Chicago made a bold move handing the offense - and the team - to Ben Johnson, and so far, he’s showing why he was one of the most sought-after offensive minds in the league.
Johnson’s scheme is built around spacing, motion, and quarterback-friendly reads. It’s modern, it’s aggressive, and it’s tailored to the talent he has.
He’s not afraid to lean into what works, whether that’s simplifying the game for a young QB or dialing up vertical shots off play-action. For a Bears team that’s been searching for an offensive identity for years, Johnson might finally be the guy to deliver it.
Matt LaFleur, Packers - The Quiet Surgeon
Matt LaFleur doesn’t get the same headlines as some of his peers, but make no mistake: he’s one of the most efficient playcallers in football.
A disciple of the Shanahan tree, LaFleur’s offense thrives on timing, misdirection, and putting defenders in conflict. His use of under-center play-action, pre-snap motion, and layered route concepts keeps defenses guessing.
He doesn’t just call plays - he builds drives. Every snap feels like it’s setting up the next one.
In a division that’s loaded with offensive minds, LaFleur continues to quietly carve up defenses with surgical precision.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings - The Adaptable Architect
Kevin O’Connell has had to deal with injuries, roster turnover, and shifting personnel - and yet the Vikings offense remains competitive and well-structured. That’s a testament to his adaptability and his roots in the Sean McVay system.
O’Connell leans heavily on formation variation and play-action, particularly targeting the middle of the field - a hallmark of the McVay tree. Since becoming head coach in 2022, the Vikings have consistently ranked near the top of the league in play-action usage, and it’s helped keep the offense afloat regardless of who’s under center.
He’s a problem-solver, and in today’s NFL, that’s what separates good playcallers from great ones.
Dave Canales, Panthers - The Developer
Dave Canales is still early in his head coaching tenure, but he’s already brought a sense of clarity to Carolina’s offense.
A longtime assistant under Pete Carroll in Seattle, Canales is focused on quarterback development and simplifying the game for young passers. His offense leans on rhythm throws, traditional West Coast principles, and play-action - all designed to keep the quarterback comfortable and the chains moving.
It’s not flashy, but it’s functional. And for a Panthers team trying to build something sustainable, Canales’ steady hand on the play sheet could be exactly what they need.
Kellen Moore, Saints - Creativity with the Keys
Kellen Moore has spent years designing creative, aggressive offenses from the coordinator seat. Now, in New Orleans, he’s doing it as a head coach - and with full control.
Moore’s playcalling style is all about creating horizontal stress on defenses. He uses motion, shifts, and spread formations to identify coverages and exploit mismatches, especially with slot receivers and running backs. He’s aggressive, he’s shotgun-heavy, and he’s not afraid to take shots.
For a Saints offense that had grown stale in recent years, Moore brings a much-needed jolt of energy and imagination.
Sean McVay, Rams - The Original Trendsetter
Before Shanahan became the face of the modern offensive movement, it was Sean McVay who lit the spark.
Since taking over the Rams in 2017, McVay has been the primary playcaller, leading the team to six playoff appearances and two Super Bowl trips - including a win in Super Bowl LVI. His early success helped shift the league toward hiring young, offensive-minded head coaches who want control of their own offense.
McVay’s system is built on tempo, formation variation, and relentless attention to detail. He’s evolved over the years - from under-center play-action to more shotgun and spread looks - but the core remains the same: keep defenses guessing, and keep the quarterback comfortable.
The Big Picture: The NFC’s Offensive Identity
This isn’t a coincidence. The NFC is built differently - and it shows.
Eight head coaches. Eight playcallers.
And a conference that’s become a proving ground for offensive innovation. From veterans like Shanahan and McVay to rising stars like Johnson and Moore, the NFC is loaded with minds that don’t just draw up plays - they shape the identity of their teams from the headset down.
And while the AFC might have the quarterback firepower, the NFC has the architects. The ones designing the systems.
The ones adjusting on the fly. The ones who believe the best way to win is to take control of the playbook themselves.
In today’s NFL, that’s not just a trend - it’s a blueprint.