The Athletic: Which NFL teams have the best front offices? Head coaches and execs cast their votes

[JGMcD2]

As the 2025 season began, The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack.

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

 

2. Baltimore Ravens

 

3. Los Angeles Rams

 

4. Buffalo Bills

 

It all starts with the quarterback in Buffalo, but don’t diminish the process.

Reigning MVP Josh Allen was a tough player to evaluate leading up to the 2018 draft, but the Bills packaged a pair of second-round picks to move up five spots from No. 12 to select the Wyoming quarterback. Then they had to hold steady for a couple of years while he refined his skills.

They’ve cashed in ever since.

“They nailed the QB, and that goes a really long way,” an executive said. “I was not a huge Josh Allen fan (before the draft). They put in the work and the time, and that was not a slam-dunk pick by any stretch. But they identified him.”

General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott share a like-minded view on roster acquisition. And while there have been inconsistencies in the draft, the Bills were still able to reload on the fly over the last two years, shedding veterans for a youth movement.

“They have a really good staff and a clear vision for what a Bill looks like,” an executive said. “With few exceptions, their guys are always tough and competitive.”

There’s a real significance in building through the draft in Buffalo, too. Quite poignantly, it hadn’t been a priority destination for free agents, at least not before Allen took off.

“They identified the QB and built around him,” another executive said. “They’ve got a good group of scouts who work hard, grind, know how to get information and they’re really organized.”

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs 

[JGMcD2]

As the 2025 season began, The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack.

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

 

2. Baltimore Ravens

 

3. Los Angeles Rams

 

4. Buffalo Bills

 

It all starts with the quarterback in Buffalo, but don’t diminish the process.

 

Reigning MVP Josh Allen was a tough player to evaluate leading up to the 2018 draft, but the Bills packaged a pair of second-round picks to move up five spots from No. 12 to select the Wyoming quarterback. Then they had to hold steady for a couple of years while he refined his skills.

 

They’ve cashed in ever since.

 

“They nailed the QB, and that goes a really long way,” an executive said. “I was not a huge Josh Allen fan (before the draft). They put in the work and the time, and that was not a slam-dunk pick by any stretch. But they identified him.” 
 

General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott share a like-minded view on roster acquisition. And while there have been inconsistencies in the draft, the Bills were still able to reload on the fly over the last two years, shedding veterans for a youth movement.

 

“They have a really good staff and a clear vision for what a Bill looks like,” an executive said. “With few exceptions, their guys are always tough and competitive.”

 

There’s a real significance in building through the draft in Buffalo, too. Quite poignantly, it hadn’t been a priority destination for free agents, at least not before Allen took off.

 

“They identified the QB and built around him,” another executive said. “They’ve got a good group of scouts who work hard, grind, know how to get information and they’re really organized.”

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs 

Edited September 24 by JGMcD2

[machine gun kelly]

Agreed.  They aren’t the best, but dam good.  I didn’t put the n on dam so the Hoover thing, not the curse word .  I respect the rules.

[Royale with Cheese]

Positive article on the Bills FO.  Lets see the anger!

[todd]

Oh no! The skeptical narrative takes a hit!

[Captain_Quint]

6 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Positive article on the Bills FO.  Lets see the anger!

I've never liked The Athletic. Fire McD and Beane and bring in someone who knows how to win a SuperBowl! Accountability for Elam. Cody Ford something something. Whyd we trade Teller???

[transient]

There is a thread with the exact same title and the exact same content started by you a minute before this one... couldn't you use the search function? 

[Royale with Cheese]

3 minutes ago, transient said:

There is a thread with the exact same title and the exact same content started by you a minute before this one... couldn't you use the search function? 

 

He started both threads.  Probably had a server time out and wasn't sure if it actually posted.

It's happened to me.

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, todd said:

Oh no! The skeptical narrative takes a hit!

 

This is going to be a serious bummer for those who invested heavily in pink slips. 

[Rubes]

We'll never be ranked #1 until we get rid of McDermott!

 

[Low Positive]

BUT CODY FORD?????!!!!!! DON'T THEY KNOW ABOUT CODY FORD?????!!!!!!!!!

[RyanC883]

how is KC not #2?  In no universe should the Bills be ahead of them.  

 

I'm not saying we aren't 4, but this is weird.  

 

Unless the author (perhaps correctly) believes the Bills have been a better team, but not capatilized on it in January.  

Edited September 24 by RyanC883

[Low Positive]

12 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

how is KC not #2?  In no universe should the Bills be ahead of them.  

 

I'm not saying we aren't 4, but this is weird.  

 

Unless the author (perhaps correctly) believes the Bills have been a better team, but not capatilized on it in January.  

The "author" has nothing to do with this. He just compiled data and quotes. This article is a ranking based on votes by NFL GMs, HCs, and executives. They couldn't vote for their own team. Brandon Beane has a lot of respect around the league for how he goes about his business, and that is reflected here. 

[transient]

41 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

He started both threads.  Probably had a server time out and wasn't sure if it actually posted.

It's happened to me.

I know... I mentioned in my post that it was started by him. I was just messin'. It's my nonsense version of the "why don't you search before you start a thread" post. 

[Bruffalo]

I have a morbid curiosity for who would be worst if they were asked the reverse. 

Edited September 24 by Bruffalo

[Don Otreply]

43 minutes ago, Rubes said:

We'll never be ranked #1 until we get rid of McDermott!

 

Fire everyone!!!!!! 
 

😁👍🍸🚬🍸🚬🍸🚬🍸🚬

[sullim4]

27 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

how is KC not #2?  In no universe should the Bills be ahead of them.  

 

I'm not saying we aren't 4, but this is weird.  

 

Unless the author (perhaps correctly) believes the Bills have been a better team, but not capatilized on it in January.  

 

KC has a reputation for being penny pinching and not particularly well run in the front office.  They hit on Mahomes and Reid but you'll see in other areas they have a bad reputation.  IIRC players rated them quite poorly.

[JGMcD2]

54 minutes ago, transient said:

There is a thread with the exact same title and the exact same content started by you a minute before this one... couldn't you use the search function? 

 

50 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

He started both threads.  Probably had a server time out and wasn't sure if it actually posted.

It's happened to me.

Oops, yeah my bad. I had a server timeout.

Mods, can you please merge? 🙏

[JGMcD2]

29 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

how is KC not #2?  In no universe should the Bills be ahead of them.  

 

I'm not saying we aren't 4, but this is weird.  

 

Unless the author (perhaps correctly) believes the Bills have been a better team, but not capatilized on it in January.  

 

There was no author... The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack.

[Low Positive]

2 minutes ago, Bruffalo said:

I have a morbid curiosity for who would be worst if they were asked the reverse. 

Cincinnati. If they are rating scouts, they have none to evaluate.