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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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NFL training camps are in full swing, and as teams ease back into on-field drills and practices in the dead of the summer, football fans have a reason to rejoice.
The preseason officially begins when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers face off in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC. The rest of the first week of the preseason kicks off the following week on Aug. 13.
As the start of the NFL regular season inches closer (Sept. 9), we are continuing to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams. We’ve already looked at the top position battles to watch, rookies with the best chance of winning a starting job, and the players in the most danger of being cut, and now we shift our focus to the coaches.
Read More on NFL
We’ve already ranked the top quarterback and wide receiver rooms by division, and next up, we’re power ranking the head coaches in each division. Next up is the AFC East.
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1- Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Dianna Russini drama aside, few would argue that based on just coaching ability, Mike Vrabel is one of the best in the league. He took a roster that went 4-13 under Jerod Mayo and led them to 13 wins, a division title, and a Super Bowl appearance.
A two-time AP Coach of the Year, Vrabel has a strong roster, one of the top young QBs in the NFL in Drake Maye, a new Pro Bowl receiver for him to throw to in A.J. Brown, a defense with plenty of playmakers, and another Super Bowl run isn’t out of the question for New England in 2026.
2- Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills
Yes, Joe Brady is a first-time head coach but I already believe in him more than Aaron Glenn, who has a full year under his belt. Not to mention Brady inherited a Super Bowl contending roster in Buffalo, and he will more than likely lead the team to double-digit wins and a playoff appearance in 2026
Brady has a great relationship with quarterback Josh Allen, and he’s worked with the offense for years, so there shouldn’t be any drop-off there.
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3- Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
Aaron Glenn was a respected defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, but he’s learning being a head coach is a completely different animal. A 3-14 season in Year 1 had some questioning if Glenn would be brought back in 2026.
Owner Woody Johnson wants to see what Glenn can do with a slightly improved roster — New York added edge-rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in the draft and edge-rusher Joseph Ossai and cornerback Nahshon Wright in free agency. I don’t think there will be much improvement, but Glenn gets the benefit of the doubt over Jeff Hafley.
4- Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins
Hafley did a tremendous job with the Green Bay Packers defense last year, but he’s stepping into a locker room with one of the worst rosters in the league. Hafley is tasked with trying to make something happen with first-time starting QB Malik Willis, who will be throwing to Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell (good luck, Willis). If not for running back De’Von Achane, Miami would have the worst offense in the NFL.
Hafley may pull of some magic again with the Dolphins, but the deck is certainly stacked against him. It might not be fair to start judging him until 2028 given how bad things are in Miami.
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