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Who is the NFL’s best defensive coordinator entering 2023? Any list of top defensive minds always starts with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
That’s inarguable.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the NFL’s top 10 defensive coordinators, and the Belichicks [Bill and son, Steve, the defensive play-caller] were ranked No. 1.
Where is Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio?
Surprisingly, Del Rio wasn’t ranked on PFF’s list of top 10 defensive coordinators.
Here’s PFF rankings:
- Bill/Steve Belichick, Patriots
- Lou Anarumo, Bengals
- Vic Fangio, Dolphins
- Dan Quinn, Cowboys
- Steve Spagnuolo, Chiefs
- Don Martindale, Giants
- Raheem Morris, Rams
- Brian Flores, Vikings
- Ejiro Evero, Panthers
- Steve Wilks, 49ers
Remember, rankings are subjective. There are some excellent names on the list who certainly belong. But shouldn’t Del Rio be considered a top-10 defensive coordinator at this point?
Del Rio is on his third team as a defensive coordinator. In three seasons with Washington, two of those seasons were excellent. In his previous two stints as a defensive coordinator [Panthers and Broncos], he used those stints to land his two NFL head-coaching positions [Jaguars and Raiders]. Had Del Rio not been successful in those previous jobs, he likely wouldn’t have landed two head-coaching jobs.
The Commanders should be excellent on defense again in 2023. Will Del Rio receive credit? It’s often fair to wonder if Del Rio’s controversial remarks are unfairly held against him.
Del Rio has been around the NFL since 1985 when he was a rookie linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He’s not losing any sleep over where someone ranks him. He’s just happy to be coaching.