2026 NFL Defensive Coordinators
Defensive coordinators do not all walk into the same job. Some have enough pass rush and coverage talent to create a game-to-game floor; others are trying to fix tackling, communication or thin roster support. This page pairs every 2026 NFL DC with Defensive Rating, Roster Strength, Recent Performance and Coaching Direction context, so the list shows the football problem each coach is being asked to solve.
How It Connects
How This Connects to Coaching Direction
PFM Coaching Direction is not just a head coach score. It also considers coordinator stability, staff performance, player development, culture and game management, which is why coordinator pages should be read next to the PFM Coaching Direction rankings.
Coordinator List
Every 2026 NFL Defensive Coordinator
Search or sort the table to compare staff setup, coaching fit and the PFM ratings around each coordinator.
 Arizona Cardinals |
Nick Rallis | Mike LaFleur | 2023 | Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach (2021–2022) | 72.2 | 73.6 | No. 30 | View Dashboard |
 Atlanta Falcons |
Jeff Ulbrich | Kevin Stefanski | 2025 | New York Jets defensive coordinator (2021–2024) | 77.5 | 77.8 | No. 20 | View Dashboard |
 Baltimore Ravens |
Anthony Weaver | Jesse Minter | 2026 | Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2024–2025) | 80.5 | 81.7 | No. 31 | View Dashboard |
 Buffalo Bills |
Jim Leonhard | Joe Brady | 2026 | Denver Broncos assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator (2025) | 81.3 | 82.3 | No. 27 | View Dashboard |
 Carolina Panthers |
Ejiro Evero | Dave Canales | 2023 | Denver Broncos defensive coordinator (2022) | 74.3 | 70.1 | No. 32 | View Dashboard |
 Chicago Bears |
Dennis Allen | Ben Johnson | 2025 | New Orleans Saints head coach (2022–2024) | 81.2 | 81.6 | No. 11 | View Dashboard |
 Cincinnati Bengals |
Al Golden | Zac Taylor | 2025 | Notre Dame defensive coordinator (2022–2024) | 73.0 | 81.1 | No. 21 | View Dashboard |
 Cleveland Browns |
Mike Rutenberg | Todd Monken | 2026 | Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator (2025) | 84.2 | 76.6 | No. 25 | View Dashboard |
 Dallas Cowboys |
Christian Parker | Brian Schottenheimer | 2026 | Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025) | 73.9 | 78.7 | No. 22 | View Dashboard |
 Denver Broncos |
Vance Joseph | Sean Payton | 2023 | Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator (2019–2022) | 84.6 | 80.9 | No. 6 | View Dashboard |
 Detroit Lions |
Kelvin Sheppard | Dan Campbell | 2025 | Detroit Lions linebackers coach (2022–2024) | 80.5 | 85.0 | No. 4 | View Dashboard |
 Green Bay Packers |
Jonathan Gannon | Matt LaFleur | 2026 | Arizona Cardinals head coach (2023–2025) | 78.5 | 81.2 | No. 9 | View Dashboard |
 Houston Texans |
Matt Burke | DeMeco Ryans | 2023 | Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach (2022) | 85.8 | 80.6 | No. 15 | View Dashboard |
 Indianapolis Colts |
Lou Anarumo | Shane Steichen | 2025 | Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator (2019–2024) | 74.9 | 75.0 | No. 24 | View Dashboard |
 Jacksonville Jaguars |
Anthony Campanile | Liam Coen | 2025 | Green Bay Packers linebackers coach & run game coordinator (2024) | 82.0 | 80.4 | No. 16 | View Dashboard |
 Kansas City Chiefs |
Steve Spagnuolo | Andy Reid | 2019 | New York Giants defensive coordinator (2015–2017) | 83.8 | 84.6 | No. 1 | View Dashboard |
 Las Vegas Raiders |
Rob Leonard | Klint Kubiak | 2026 | Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach & run game coordinator (2023–2025) | 75.1 | 75.7 | No. 23 | View Dashboard |
 Los Angeles Chargers |
Chris O'Leary | Jim Harbaugh | 2026 | Western Michigan defensive coordinator & safeties coach (2025) | 82.3 | 79.5 | No. 5 | View Dashboard |
 Los Angeles Rams |
Chris Shula | Sean McVay | 2024 | Los Angeles Rams linebackers coach & pass rush coordinator (2023) | 86.2 | 85.0 | No. 3 | View Dashboard |
 Miami Dolphins |
Sean Duggan | Jeff Hafley | 2026 | Green Bay Packers linebackers coach (2025) | 72.5 | 79.4 | No. 28 | View Dashboard |
 Minnesota Vikings |
Brian Flores | Kevin O'Connell | 2023 | Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant & linebackers coach (2022) | 80.2 | 79.8 | No. 13 | View Dashboard |
 New England Patriots |
Zak Kuhr | Mike Vrabel | 2026 | New England Patriots inside linebackers coach (2025) | 83.8 | 80.4 | No. 7 | View Dashboard |
 New Orleans Saints |
Brandon Staley | Kellen Moore | 2025 | San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach (2024) | 77.3 | 71.1 | No. 29 | View Dashboard |
 New York Giants |
Dennard Wilson | John Harbaugh | 2026 | Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator (2024–2025) | 76.2 | 72.4 | No. 14 | View Dashboard |
 New York Jets |
Brian Duker | Aaron Glenn | 2026 | Miami Dolphins secondary coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025) | 77.9 | 79.3 | No. 26 | View Dashboard |
 Philadelphia Eagles |
Vic Fangio | Nick Sirianni | 2024 | Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2023) | 84.4 | 84.2 | No. 12 | View Dashboard |
 Pittsburgh Steelers |
Patrick Graham | Mike McCarthy | 2026 | Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator (2022–2025) | 83.4 | 79.8 | No. 10 | View Dashboard |
 San Francisco 49ers |
Raheem Morris | Kyle Shanahan | 2026 | Atlanta Falcons head coach (2024–2025) | 81.9 | 84.1 | No. 8 | View Dashboard |
 Seattle Seahawks |
Aden Durde | Mike Macdonald | 2024 | Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach (2021–2023) | 89.6 | 85.6 | No. 2 | View Dashboard |
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Todd Bowles | Todd Bowles | 2019 | New York Jets head coach (2015–2018) | 78.1 | 79.0 | No. 18 | View Dashboard |
 Tennessee Titans |
Gus Bradley | Robert Saleh | 2026 | San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach (2025) | 72.3 | 71.4 | No. 19 | View Dashboard |
 Washington Commanders |
Daronte Jones | Dan Quinn | 2026 | Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2022–2025) | 75.4 | 80.1 | No. 17 | View Dashboard |
No coordinator rows match that search.
Staff Changes
New Defensive Coordinators for 2026
New defensive coordinator hires are listed here first so readers can see which staffs changed on that side of the ball. The deeper football context belongs in the team notes below, where defensive rating, roster strength and Coaching Direction explain the assignment.
| Baltimore Ravens |
Anthony Weaver | Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2024–2025) | Jesse Minter |
| Buffalo Bills |
Jim Leonhard | Denver Broncos assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator (2025) | Joe Brady |
| Cleveland Browns |
Mike Rutenberg | Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator (2025) | Todd Monken |
| Dallas Cowboys |
Christian Parker | Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025) | Brian Schottenheimer |
| Green Bay Packers |
Jonathan Gannon | Arizona Cardinals head coach (2023–2025) | Matt LaFleur |
| Las Vegas Raiders |
Rob Leonard | Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach & run game coordinator (2023–2025) | Klint Kubiak |
| Los Angeles Chargers |
Chris O'Leary | Western Michigan defensive coordinator & safeties coach (2025) | Jim Harbaugh |
| Miami Dolphins |
Sean Duggan | Green Bay Packers linebackers coach (2025) | Jeff Hafley |
| New England Patriots |
Zak Kuhr | New England Patriots inside linebackers coach (2025) | Mike Vrabel |
| New York Giants |
Dennard Wilson | Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator (2024–2025) | John Harbaugh |
| New York Jets |
Brian Duker | Miami Dolphins secondary coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025) | Aaron Glenn |
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
Patrick Graham | Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator (2022–2025) | Mike McCarthy |
| San Francisco 49ers |
Raheem Morris | Atlanta Falcons head coach (2024–2025) | Kyle Shanahan |
| Tennessee Titans |
Gus Bradley | San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach (2025) | Robert Saleh |
| Washington Commanders |
Daronte Jones | Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2022–2025) | Dan Quinn |
Future Hires
Defensive Coordinators to Watch as Future Head Coach Candidates
Below is a watch list for DCs whose roles could put them in the head-coach conversation if the defense keeps moving in the right direction.
Jeff Ulbrich
Name to watchUlbrich already has head coaching experience serving as the interim head coach while with the Jets. He has given the Falcons a real defensive identity and if the defense continues to surge he will be a hot candidate next offseason.
Chris Shula
Name to watchShula and the Rams defense should be a top tier unit once again this season. Sure the addition of Myles Garrett helps but getting all this talent to gel is the key. Keep an eye on Shula as an upcoming candidate.
Quick Notes
Team-by-Team Defensive Coordinator Notes
Open a team for the coordinator details and the PFM ratings around that staff.
Arizona CardinalsNick Rallis
- Head Coach
- Mike LaFleur
- Year Hired
- 2023
- Previous Role
- Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach (2021–2022)
- Defensive Rating
- 72.2
- Roster Strength
- 73.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 30
Atlanta FalconsJeff Ulbrich
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- New York Jets defensive coordinator (2021–2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 77.5
- Roster Strength
- 77.8
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 20
- Future HC watch
- Name to watch
Baltimore RavensAnthony Weaver
- Head Coach
- Jesse Minter
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2024–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 80.5
- Roster Strength
- 81.7
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 31
Buffalo BillsJim Leonhard
- Head Coach
- Joe Brady
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Denver Broncos assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 81.3
- Roster Strength
- 82.3
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 27
Carolina PanthersEjiro Evero
- Head Coach
- Dave Canales
- Year Hired
- 2023
- Previous Role
- Denver Broncos defensive coordinator (2022)
- Defensive Rating
- 74.3
- Roster Strength
- 70.1
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 32
Chicago BearsDennis Allen
- Head Coach
- Ben Johnson
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- New Orleans Saints head coach (2022–2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 81.2
- Roster Strength
- 81.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 11
Cincinnati BengalsAl Golden
- Head Coach
- Zac Taylor
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- Notre Dame defensive coordinator (2022–2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 73.0
- Roster Strength
- 81.1
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 21
Cleveland BrownsMike Rutenberg
- Head Coach
- Todd Monken
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 84.2
- Roster Strength
- 76.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 25
Dallas CowboysChristian Parker
- Head Coach
- Brian Schottenheimer
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 73.9
- Roster Strength
- 78.7
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 22
Denver BroncosVance Joseph
- Head Coach
- Sean Payton
- Year Hired
- 2023
- Previous Role
- Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator (2019–2022)
- Defensive Rating
- 84.6
- Roster Strength
- 80.9
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 6
Detroit LionsKelvin Sheppard
- Head Coach
- Dan Campbell
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- Detroit Lions linebackers coach (2022–2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 80.5
- Roster Strength
- 85.0
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 4
Green Bay PackersJonathan Gannon
- Head Coach
- Matt LaFleur
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Arizona Cardinals head coach (2023–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 78.5
- Roster Strength
- 81.2
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 9
Houston TexansMatt Burke
- Head Coach
- DeMeco Ryans
- Year Hired
- 2023
- Previous Role
- Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach (2022)
- Defensive Rating
- 85.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 15
Indianapolis ColtsLou Anarumo
- Head Coach
- Shane Steichen
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator (2019–2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 74.9
- Roster Strength
- 75.0
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 24
Jacksonville JaguarsAnthony Campanile
- Head Coach
- Liam Coen
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- Green Bay Packers linebackers coach & run game coordinator (2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 82.0
- Roster Strength
- 80.4
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 16
Kansas City ChiefsSteve Spagnuolo
- Head Coach
- Andy Reid
- Year Hired
- 2019
- Previous Role
- New York Giants defensive coordinator (2015–2017)
- Defensive Rating
- 83.8
- Roster Strength
- 84.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 1
Las Vegas RaidersRob Leonard
- Head Coach
- Klint Kubiak
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach & run game coordinator (2023–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 75.1
- Roster Strength
- 75.7
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 23
Los Angeles ChargersChris O'Leary
- Head Coach
- Jim Harbaugh
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Western Michigan defensive coordinator & safeties coach (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 82.3
- Roster Strength
- 79.5
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 5
Los Angeles RamsChris Shula
- Head Coach
- Sean McVay
- Year Hired
- 2024
- Previous Role
- Los Angeles Rams linebackers coach & pass rush coordinator (2023)
- Defensive Rating
- 86.2
- Roster Strength
- 85.0
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 3
- Future HC watch
- Name to watch
Miami DolphinsSean Duggan
- Head Coach
- Jeff Hafley
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Green Bay Packers linebackers coach (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 72.5
- Roster Strength
- 79.4
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 28
Minnesota VikingsBrian Flores
- Head Coach
- Kevin O'Connell
- Year Hired
- 2023
- Previous Role
- Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant & linebackers coach (2022)
- Defensive Rating
- 80.2
- Roster Strength
- 79.8
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 13
New England PatriotsZak Kuhr
- Head Coach
- Mike Vrabel
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- New England Patriots inside linebackers coach (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 83.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.4
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 7
New Orleans SaintsBrandon Staley
- Head Coach
- Kellen Moore
- Year Hired
- 2025
- Previous Role
- San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach (2024)
- Defensive Rating
- 77.3
- Roster Strength
- 71.1
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 29
New York GiantsDennard Wilson
- Head Coach
- John Harbaugh
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator (2024–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 76.2
- Roster Strength
- 72.4
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 14
New York JetsBrian Duker
- Head Coach
- Aaron Glenn
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Miami Dolphins secondary coach & pass game coordinator (2024–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 77.9
- Roster Strength
- 79.3
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 26
Philadelphia EaglesVic Fangio
- Head Coach
- Nick Sirianni
- Year Hired
- 2024
- Previous Role
- Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2023)
- Defensive Rating
- 84.4
- Roster Strength
- 84.2
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 12
Pittsburgh SteelersPatrick Graham
- Head Coach
- Mike McCarthy
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator (2022–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 83.4
- Roster Strength
- 79.8
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 10
San Francisco 49ersRaheem Morris
- Head Coach
- Kyle Shanahan
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Atlanta Falcons head coach (2024–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 81.9
- Roster Strength
- 84.1
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 8
Seattle SeahawksAden Durde
- Head Coach
- Mike Macdonald
- Year Hired
- 2024
- Previous Role
- Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach (2021–2023)
- Defensive Rating
- 89.6
- Roster Strength
- 85.6
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 2
Tampa Bay BuccaneersTodd Bowles
- Head Coach
- Todd Bowles
- Year Hired
- 2019
- Previous Role
- New York Jets head coach (2015–2018)
- Defensive Rating
- 78.1
- Roster Strength
- 79.0
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 18
Tennessee TitansGus Bradley
- Head Coach
- Robert Saleh
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach (2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 72.3
- Roster Strength
- 71.4
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 19
Washington CommandersDaronte Jones
- Head Coach
- Dan Quinn
- Year Hired
- 2026
- Previous Role
- Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator (2022–2025)
- Defensive Rating
- 75.4
- Roster Strength
- 80.1
- Coaching Direction Rank
- No. 17
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams