Don’t look now, but the NFL Coach of the Year (COY) race is really heating up.
When it comes to the betting odds, there’s a new lone favorite at the top of the oddsboard — Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen.
Steichen’s COY odds sat at +650 a week ago, but the Colts have won five of their last six, including a Week 15, 30-13 victory over the Steelers. The team’s success has caused those odds to shrink drastically, as Steichen is now favored to win the prestigious honor at +280.
There was a huge shuffle up on the betting board, so let’s take a closer look at the odds for all the contenders.
NFL COACH OF THE YEAR ODDS*
Shane Steichen, Colts: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)
Dan Campbell, Lions: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)
DeMeco Ryans, Texans: +320 (bet $10 to win $42 total)
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Kevin Stefanski, Browns: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
John Harbaugh, Ravens: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Zac Taylor, Bengals: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Sean McVay, Rams: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Sean Payton, Broncos: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Nick Sirianni, Eagles: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Matt LeFleur, Packers: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
*odds as of 12/20/2023
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is currently second on the board.
Campbell opened the year as the betting favorite to win the award at +850. With the Lions at an impressive 10-4 and on top of the NFC North Division, his COY odds have shortened to +300.
Next on the list is Houston’s DeMeco Ryans. The coach’s odds of winning the award were +2200 before the season, but now that the Texans are 8-6 — largely due to the play of C.J. Stroud — those odds have come all the way down to +320.
On a recent episode of the NFL on FOX Podcast, NFL Insider Dave Helman and AFC South reporter Ben Arthur praised Ryans.
“This really shows the work that DeMeco Ryans has done with the defense,” Arthur said as he explained how Ryans has coached the Texans despite Stroud being in concussion protocol.
“As the year has worn on, they’ve continued to get better and better.”
Is DeMeco Ryans CHANGING the culture for Texans, CJ Stroud?
One coach whose odds fell after rising up the oddsboard is Denver’s Sean Payton.
His odds were +1200, but after the Broncos fell 42-17 at Detroit in Week 15, Payton’s COY odds dipped all the way to +4000.
So, which coach will walk away with the trophy? Here are FOX Sports NFL analyst Geoff Schwartz’s thoughts from before the season.
(Editor’s Note: Made prior to the start of the 2023 NFL season)
Pick via FOX Sports NFL Analyst Geoff Schwartz:
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins
The Dolphins second-year head coach is a perfect candidate for this award. McDaniel’s Dolphins team will win games if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy. When Tua started and finished the game, the Dolphins were 8-4 last season. Assuming he’s healthier than last season, the Dolphins should get into the 10-win range.
If you include their improvements on defense — including the addition of Jalen Ramsey and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio — the Dolphins could win the division. If the Dolphins can pull off a division win with Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen on rival squads, plus a Patriots team with a competent offense, all the praise will be heaped onto McDaniel.
His lively interactions with the media can also help McDaniel win this award. His viral sound bites often show how much media members like him. Those are all factors when humans are voting for this award.
At these odds, he is worth a sprinkle.
PICK: Mike McDaniel (+2200 at time of pick) to win Coach of the Year
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