It was Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and then everyone else for a long time when it came to the NFL’s top offensive play callers. Ben Johnson took a step into that elite tier with his wildly successful tenure as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, then solidified his status last season after turning the Bears into one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. After Johnson, the rankings become a lot more debatable.To determine the league’s best offensive play callers and what makes them so difficult to prepare for and play against, I talked to their nemeses: eight defensive play callers and defensive assistant coaches from around the league. Who better to rank and analyze them than the coaches who spend days and nights scheming to stop them? Anonymously, each defensive coach ranked their top 10 play callers in the league. I compiled their rankings to determine the order and added their analysis.1. Kyle Shanahan, 49ersHighest ranking: 1
Lowest ranking: 4
Last year’s ranking: 1Shanahan remains the most respected play caller in the league. Last season cemented his place as the 49ers finished sixth in points per drive and second in offense DVOA, FTN’s efficiency metric that accounts for strength of schedule, despite dealing with multiple injuries to key players, including quarterback Brock Purdy missing eight games. Shanahan schemed up multiple 100-yard games for Kendrick Bourne, and even journeyman Demarcus Robinson had 111 yards in the playoffs against the Eagles — neither receiver had a 100-yard game since 2022.Ted Nguyen breaks down a Christian McCaffrey touchdown. Ted Nguyen“He’s the best in the business because he can adapt better than anybody. It doesn’t matter who’s lining up, whether you got Jauan Jennings — like, he’s a good player, but he shouldn’t be your best wideout,” an AFC defensive coach said. “Shanahan’s finding ways to get guys open and win games with no (George) Kittle, no Jauan (Jennings), no Purdy. He does an incredible job.”Shanahan gets credit around the league for starting the position-less football trend and fully weaponizing Christian McCaffrey’s receiving ability. His system also makes things very black-and-white for his quarterbacks.“It’s interesting with the 49ers because they don’t really do anything at the line,” an NFC defensive coordinator said. “Shanahan just calls two plays and all the quarterback does is ‘can’ the call. They don’t adjust any protections, but he has enough answers within the play design.”Defensive coaches believe Shanahan is unique because he also understands the techniques that defensive players use and their individual weaknesses, and he knows exactly how to expose them.2. Sean McVay, RamsHighest ranking: 1
