The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is underway, and one of the exercises used to measure the strength of incoming prospects is the bench press. But which of the league’s current coaches might be able to showcase their own physical strength, if thrust beneath the bar? A handful of them joined CBS Sports this week to debate this very topic, and you might be surprised at some of the answers.

Which NFL head coach is the most jacked? 🤔💪 @AKinkhabwala asked them who would put up the most reps on the bench press to find out 👀 pic.twitter.com/RdDwhUe2Bo — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 27, 2025

At least five different coaches were quick to hail the Detroit Lions’ Dan Campbell as the strongest active head coach, with Brian Callahan, Nick Sirianni, Raheem Morris, Sean McDermott, and Todd Bowles among Campbell’s most supportive counterparts. And it makes sense: Campbell played tight end in the NFL at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, making him one of the most physically imposing men to hold a top coaching gig.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton had a different take, however: DeMeco Ryans. The Houston Texans coach famously played 10 seasons as a standout linebacker before stepping into coaching roles. Payton also expressed a specific concern when choosing Ryans over Campbell, who had previously worked under him in New Orleans.

“I’ve been with Dan long enough to know there’s an injury risk,” Payton remarked.

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, meanwhile, claimed he’d “bet on myself” to win a bench press contest. In contrast, Carolina Panthers’ Dave Canales offered a surprising “sleeper” choice: Sean McVay. Now just 39 years old, the Los Angeles Rams coach won praise from former colleague Raheem Morris during the discussion, with Morris arguing that McVay’s “compact” frame might actually work in his favor.