The NFL Is Running Out of Coaches (And Here’s Why)

Kevin Clark is joined by Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic for a wide-ranging Super Bowl week conversation. The two dive into the evolution of NFL coaching trees, from Shanahan and McVay to the rise of Mike McDonald, and why the league may be running out of coaches. They break down Seattle’s defensive transformation, the Kubiak offensive lineage, and why certain “outlier” coaches simply can’t be replicated. Jourdan also explains why two-running-back systems are officially back, how defenses are catching up to modern offenses, and what this hiring cycle reveals about how owners are thinking. Plus: early contenders for the 2026 Super Bowl, Chargers optimism (with caveats), Broncos belief, Panthers intrigue, and why chasing trends keeps getting teams in trouble. Video Timecodes 0:00 - Jourdan Rodrigue joins This Is Football! 3:23 - Jourdan's favorite matchup of the Super Bowl - Nick Emmanwori vs. All 8:39 - What has Klint Kubiak brought to Seattle's offense? 13:42 - What have we learned from this year's coaching cycle? 21:56 - Story of the 2025 season that didn't get enough attention 28:53 - Favorites for next year's Super Bowl ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/nfl #ESPN