{"id":289355,"date":"2026-06-28T18:08:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T22:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=289355"},"modified":"2026-06-28T18:08:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T22:08:56","slug":"afc-west-coaches-duel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/28\/afc-west-coaches-duel\/","title":{"rendered":"AFC West Coaches Duel For Captivating Keeps In 2026 NFL Coach Power Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The AFC West coaches duel for keeps in this amazingly loaded division that the Chiefs once held with an iron grip until the 2025 season. It’s significantly more competitive than the meek AFC East<\/a>, the rebuilding AFC North<\/a> and a stabilized AFC South<\/a>. Can the veteran head coaches of the AFC West carry the day for an increasingly inconsistent conference?<\/p>\n

Note: All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

AFC West Coaches Duel For Captivating Keeps In 2026 NFL Coach Power Rankings<\/h2>\n

1. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n

Head Coach: Andy Reid<\/h4>\n

With no surprise, the top contender for the king of NFL coaches takes the mantle in this grueling AFC West coaches’ duel. The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a rare downturn in fortunes last season because of superstar Patrick Mahomes’ injury<\/a> and the weight of expectations. Can the perennial Super Bowl contenders return to their rightful place among the elite of the elite after a down 2026? Reid has the rings and veteran know-how to get his team headed back in the right direction.<\/p>\n

His staff retained key figures in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and special teams coach Dave Toub, plus it brought back notable Reid lieutenant Eric Bienemy as offensive coordinator. Spags and Toub are long past receiving their due<\/a> by earning head coaching jobs, yet they remain by Reid’s side.<\/p>\n

However, it could be the end of an era as the Chiefs are rapidly turning over their roster as cap constraints begin to bite. The wide receiver room is either inconsistent or spending time in the courtroom and not negotiating a new deal<\/a> instead of on the field. Spags’ stop unit faces a rebuild in the secondary as well. Kansas City faces a crucial 2026 campaign in its bid to battle against the heavyweights in the AFC West coaches duel.<\/p>\n

2. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n

Head Coach: Sean Payton<\/h4>\n

There is a prevailing belief that the upstart Denver Broncos under Super Bowl winner Payton would’ve provided more than cannon fodder to the Seahawks if Bo Nix had been healthy. Payton’s tenure in New Orleans<\/a> didn’t end well, but his reign in Denver is solid.<\/p>\n

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What launched Payton over third-place Harbaugh is his resume with quarterbacks and the overall coaching staff in the AFC West coaches duel. Yes, it took the Chiefs vaulting themselves into an unexpected freefall in 2025, but Denver won 14 games with a competent offense and a loaded defense by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, they did almost nothing of note in the offseason to improve, so they’re running it back<\/a> to an extent and pushing for a Super Bowl. The offense should be better with another year of offensive coordinator Davis Webb and star wideout Jaylen Waddle added via trade. Nix shouldn’t be desperate for playmakers to throw to. Could year 4 be the one that Denver returns to the promised land as a potential AFC heavyweight?<\/p>\n

3. Los Angeles Chargers<\/h3>\n

Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh<\/h4>\n

Los Angeles somehow eked out 11 wins amidst yet another brutal injury-filled campaign that saw both starting tackles bow out early<\/a> in 2025. While Justin Herbert looks to elevate his game into stardom that his paycheck merits, the offensive line was rebuilt around him. The star quarterback gained a vastly superior offensive coordinator when Harbaugh lured Mike McDaniel, who was very complimentary of Herbert,<\/a> away from an unsuccessful 2025 season with Miami.<\/p>\n

McDaniel is a savant from McVay school who got a little over his skis as a first-time head coach. Perhaps a trip back to offensive coordinator will help him gain a new perspective. Herbert is easily the best quarterback he’s had during his brief NFL tenure.<\/p>\n

Harbaugh’s defense returns a solid veteran unit led by the ageless Khalil Mack. Much will be expected from the stop unit with players like Derwin James, Daiyan Henley and Jamaree Caldwell. The secondary is stout, with still-ascending youngsters like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still. Harbaugh would do well to finish in second place in this boiling-hot AFC West coaches duel.<\/p>\n

4. Las Vegas Raiders<\/h3>\n

Head Coach: Klint Kubiak<\/h4>\n

The head coaching debutant enters the cauldron that is the AFC West coaches’ duel with a Super Bowl ring<\/a> in tow. Kubiak should be intimately familiar with the division as he’s the son of longtime Denver coach Gary Kubiak. He arrives armed with a precocious rookie quarterback and a raftload of impact veterans like Quay Walker and Tyler Linderbaum.<\/p>\n