As the outlets are ranking the quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, etc. Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit has released its rankings of the Top 10 coaches of the 2026 season. The position of the New England Patriots HC has started conversations across the NFL.

The debate turned towards Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell after Jeremy Reisman evaluated where he belongs among the NFL's elite. As Campbell earned respect for transforming the Lions into a contender, he ranked the Patriots' head coach, Mike Vrabel, below Dan Campbell.

"And then there’s a tier of coaches who I put on the same level as Campbell," wrote Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. "With some, they’ve accomplished more, but only been at it for a few years. For others, they’ve accomplished about the same as Campbell: Mike Macdonald,(7)Jim Harbaugh,(8)Mike Vrabel,(9)Matt LaFleur,(10)Kevin O’Connell"

Reisman's rankings on Pride of Detroit place Campbell outside the Top 5 coaches but ahead of established names like Vrabel. That is because of the balancing of sustained success with coaching achievements.

While Campbell changed the Lions, Reisman believes coaches such as Vrabel and Harbaugh have comparable resumes, making them worthy of sharing the same tier rather than being ranked above Detroit's head coach.

The Lions posted a best 15-2 regular season record in 2024 and marked themselves as consistent playoff contenders under Campbell. But his resume still lacks a Super Bowl appearance that separates him from other coaches.

Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel recorded 54-45 in the regular season with the Titans, securing two division titles and three consecutive playoff starts. He earned the NFL Coach of the Year award for the 2021 season. Last season, he led the Patriots to a huge turnaround.

He totaled a regular-season record of 14-3 in his first year and guided New England to an appearance in Super Bowl LX. His success and reputation have kept him in conversations among the NFL's best head coaches, making the ranking below Campbell notable.

Vrabel's first remarkable season at New England has already raised expectations for an even bigger goal this season.

Mike Vrabel's Patriots face Super Bowl expectations after historic first-year turnaround

Even after falling short in the Super Bowl last season, the Patriots team under Vrabel is heading into the 2026 season with optimism. Graham Wilker of FanSided believes the base made by Vrabel during last season has encouraged the Patriots to take another big step.

"Despite their Super Bowl performance, New England's surge during Mike Vrabel's first season sets a high bar for Year 2," wrote Graham Wilker of FanSided. 

"With the additions of players like A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Kevin Byard, the expectation is that the Patriots will compete for a Super Bowl, despite a more difficult schedule."

Vrabel led the New England Patriots to a thrilling 14-3 record and an AFC Championship before reaching Super Bowl LX, transforming the team that had finished 4-13 in its previous two seasons.

With a more upgraded receiving corps, an experienced defensive end, and quarterback Drake Maye entering the next season, expectations have only grown more. Although they face the NFL's sixth-toughest schedule, many believe the roster has the potential to finish under Vrabel.

What are your views on the ranking of Mike Vrabel below Dan Campbell? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason