The NFL’s Most Respected Coaches: Who Earned A+ Ratings in 2025?

The NFL Players Association just dropped its 2025 report card, and as always, it’s an unfiltered look at how players feel about their teams. No PR spin, no sugarcoating—just real feedback on everything from facilities to ownership. But one of the biggest talking points? Head coaches.
Every year, players rank their coaches on how well they manage time, listen to feedback, and create a team culture that actually works. Some coaches got top marks, while others? Let’s just say their report cards aren’t exactly fridge-worthy. The disparity between the best and worst performances says a lot about how teams are run.

Six coaches stood out above the rest, each earning an A+ from their players: Andy Reid (Chiefs), Kevin O’Connell (Vikings), Dan Campbell (Lions), Sean McVay (Rams), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), and Nick Sirianni (Eagles).

For Reid, O’Connell, and Campbell, this isn’t anything new—they’ve been earning top grades year after year. But McVay, Tomlin, and Sirianni joining the A+ club just confirms what most already knew: These guys understand how to run a team the right way. Players respect them, and that respect translates to a strong, cohesive locker room. Their ability to adapt and lead by example sets them apart from the competition.

On the other end of the spectrum, Josh McDaniels (Raiders) came in dead last with a D grade. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but it aligns with reports of locker room frustrations and a lack of buy-in from the team. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Kevin Stefanski (Browns) landed in the C range—not disastrous, but certainly not the kind of grades that inspire confidence. For legendary coaches like Belichick, such a rating raises questions about whether his coaching style still resonates in today’s NFL.
At the end of the day, coaching isn’t just about drawing up plays. It’s about leadership, trust, and making sure players feel valued and heard. The best coaches get that, and the worst ones? Well, they usually don’t last long. When players believe in their coach, it impacts team morale, performance, and even free agency decisions.
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This report card doesn’t just tell us who’s respected in the locker room—it gives us a glimpse into which teams are building something sustainable and which ones might be headed for a reset. And with another NFL season on the horizon, these rankings could be a preview of what’s to come. The ability to foster a winning culture is what ultimately defines the great coaches from the mediocre ones.