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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton visits with wide receiver Jameson Williams. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

From Lions' John Morton to Cowboys' Klayton Adams: The five most impressive NFL coordinators in 2025

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 1:13 PM ET

Coaching matters.

And while head coaches get most of the attention, no team is complete without strong coordinators.

Entering Week 8, here are the five most impressive coordinators of the 2025 season so far.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton

No coordinator has had a tougher act to follow than Morton, which makes his first season in his current role so remarkable. This offseason, Morton was hired as Ben Johnson's replacement after the beloved former Lions offensive coordinator accepted a job as Chicago Bears head coach in January. With Morton, Detroit's offense has remained one of the league's more efficient attacks.

The Lions (5-2) rank third in red-zone touchdown rate, scoring one on 21 of 29 possessions that have reached their opponents' 20-yard line. They're also fifth in points per drive (2.64).

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich

Following a failed stint as New York Jets interim head coach, Ulbrich was hired this offseason to fix a Falcons defense that ranked No. 23 in scoring defense and yards allowed in 2024. And, boy, has he ever.

Atlanta (3-3) has the league's top-ranked pass defense, allowing 141.2 yards per game. Overall, the Falcons are No. 8 in points allowed (20 PPG) and No. 2 in total defense (265.2 YPG). The secondary's coverage skills have been huge for Atlanta, which blitzes at the league's highest rate (39.8 percent), often leaving the back end in isolation. The Falcons have been among the NFL’s most sound tackling teams, ending Week 7 tied with the Los Angeles Rams for fewest missed tackles (25) in the league.

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula

The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini recently labeled Shula, the grandson of Hall of Famer Don Shula, as a name to watch as head- coaching openings occur, and it's easy to understand why. Los Angeles has one of the league's top defenses, an impressive feat for a young unit that features five starters drafted in 2023 or later.

The Rams (5-2) rank No. 2 in scoring defense (16.7 points per game), thanks largely to one of the league's more effective pass rushes. Los Angeles is No. 8 in pressure rate (24.5 percent) — and second in sacks (26) — despite blitzing at the league's eighth-lowest rate (19.4 percent, h/t Pro Football Reference).

New England Patriots interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr

Kuhr, who began his coaching career on offense, was thrust into defensive play-calling duties earlier this season when defensive coordinator Terrell Williams received a cancer diagnosis. Under difficult circumstances, Kuhr has done an excellent job for the fifth-ranked Patriots scoring defense (19 points per game).

New England (5-2) invested heavily in improving its defense this offseason, signing defensive tackle Milton Williams (four years, $104 million), inside linebacker Robert Spillane (three years, $33M), outside linebacker Harold Landry III (three years, $43.5M) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (three years, $54M) in free agency. But it takes a gifted play-caller to make things click, and New England has one this season.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams

Despite ceding play-calling duties to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Adams' fingerprints are all over one of the most dynamic Cowboys offenses in years. Dallas is averaging 31.7 points — second most in the NFL — and a league-high 390.6 yards per game, and it's doing so with a balanced attack.

The Cowboys (3-3-1) are still led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is completing a career-high 71.4 percent of his pass attempts for 1,881 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions, but the running game has been revelation. Castoff back Javonte Williams is having a career-year, with 111 carries, 592 yards (5.3 yards per attempt) and six rushing touchdowns.

Earlier this month, ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer detailed Williams' strong season and noted Adams "has autonomy over the running game."

"Klayton brings a sense of intensity and focus and grit to our offense that you really can't quantify it," Prescott said.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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