Which New NFL Play Callers Are Crushing It? Ranking the Best, Worst and Biggest Surprises

There are a ton of new play callers across the NFL in 2026 — but who has gotten off to the best start, who has struggled, and which new coaches have been the biggest surprises? Joe Marino and Kyle Crabbs dive into the numbers through the first four weeks of the season, using EPA, points per drive, success rate, pressure rate and other efficiency metrics to evaluate the league’s new offensive and defensive play callers. The guys discuss why Baltimore’s Declan Doyle has been the NFL’s best new offensive play caller so far, how Rob Leonard has transformed the Raiders defense, and why Mike McDaniel’s Chargers offense has been the biggest disappointment. They also examine Dallas’ defensive struggles and what has gone wrong for Jim Leonard and the Buffalo Bills, particularly in coverage and second-down situations. Plus, the guys identify their biggest surprises, including Frank Reich and the Jets offense, Clint Kubiak and the Raiders offense, and Chris O’Leary’s impressive work with the Chargers defense. Who has earned the most praise — and which new play callers are already under pressure? Joe and Kyle break it all down. Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Tempo For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to http://TempoMeals.com/LOCKEDON60 . Quo Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/LOCKEDONNFL . Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon . Butcher Box If you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONNFL to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. Apple You can earn up to 3% unlimited Daily Cash back on every purchase you make with Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apply in the Wallet app on your iPhone today. Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank, USA. Salt Lake City Branch. Terms and more at apple-card-dot-com. https://learn.applecard.apple/unlimited-daily-cash?cid=apy-318-2000008800000-400000000000039&itscg=2030032&itsct=srvs-crd-P3004756-C3004897&mttnagencyid=c1a&mttnsiteid=133087&mttnpid=LockedOn%20%28Audio%29&mttnsubad=srvs-crd-P3004756-C3004897&mttnsubplmnt=&mttncc=US PrizePicks Visit <a href="https://app.prizepicks.com/sign-up?invite_code=LOCKEDONNFL&shortlink=LOCKEDONNFL&deep_link_sub1=LOCKEDONNFL&source_caller=ui&deep_link_sub3=podcast&deep_link_value=sign-up&deep_link_sub2=locked_on_nfl&deep_link_sub6=ROI&pid=locked_on_nfl&deep_link_sub4=23_24