2023 NFL Season Coach of the Year – Four Contenders For The Award
The NFL Coach of the Year award is not always presented to the league’s best head coach, unlike in every other sport. Typically, this award is presented to the coach who turned around a poor team early in his tenure or whose team won a significant number of games despite being short-handed.
At the moment – even before the NFL season kickoff, there is a clear idea of the leading candidates for Coach of the Year in the 2023 NFL season, but who is flying under the radar? There will always be unexpected outcomes in the NFL, and this includes the coaches.
Brian Daboll and Doug Pederson’s coaching positions last season astonished some. Daboll and Pederson both guided the Giants to a winning record and the playoffs in their rookie campaigns.
In the 2023 NFL season, could additional coaches emerge as the Coach of the Year award, and if so, who would they be?
#1 – Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
It is difficult to predict which coaches are going to suffer poor injury luck, but it is simple to identify the candidates who can turn around bad or underperforming teams.
The NFL COY award is difficult to predict and this is why we see on the list coaches like Dan Campbell, whose Lions side has a great chance to take the next step in their turnaround, and Sean Payton, who takes over a Broncos team that may have been the biggest disappointment in the league last year, Robert Saleh, whose Jets could be a real threat if they end up with Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Eberflus, who appeared to be getting the Bears back on track in his first season, all gearing up for the Coach of the Year award.
Campbell is listed as the current frontrunner to win the award with odds, at the time of this writing, fixed at +850 odds. Campbell, who is entering his third season as the Lions’ head coach, is the favourite to win NFL Coach of the Year in 2023-24.
In Campbell’s first season, the Lions had a record of 3-13-1, but they nearly made the postseason with a 9-8 mark in 2018 and posted their first winning record since 2017. A $20 bet on nfl games online wager on Campbell to receive the award would yield $170 in profit and $190 in return.
#2 – Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers
There is no denying that Frank Reich is an outstanding head coach, and the Indianapolis Colts should not have fired him. The Panthers appointed him as their next head coach, and he brought with him an outstanding coaching staff.
Bryce Young is a wonderful fit for Reich and this offense, and I think Carolina’s roster is better than what many think it is. With the presence of huge talents in this team, I anticipate rapid success from Young and the offense, along with a top-ten defense commanded by Ejiro Evero. This could propel the Panthers to a 10-win season, division championship, home playoff game, and Coach of the Year honours for Reich.
#3 – Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears
In his first season as Chicago Bears general manager, there is no idea what Ryan Poles was doing. Now, the strategy appears crystal clear, and I believe the Bears have positioned themselves well in an NFC North division that has rapidly become weaker. The Bears can compete with the Vikings and Lions for the division title if they decide that 2023 will be their breakthrough season.
They have a quarterback with a high ceiling, excellent offensive weapons, an improved offensive line, and a defense that appears to be stronger than last year’s unit.
2024 is the year that I believe we should pay heed to the Bears, but 2023 could be a sneaky good year for them.
#4 Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints
Although I believe the Carolina Panthers are the team to defeat in the NFC South this season, I also believe the Saints have a strong case. They were able to sign free-agent quarterback Derek Carr, who should provide an immediate enhancement over Jameis Winston.
Michael Thomas appears to be returning to good health, which, in conjunction with Chris Olave, could form a formidable triumvirate. Their offensive line is also respectable, and their defense is comprised of veteran players such as Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and an outstanding secondary trio composed of Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, and Marshon Lattimore.
If Derek Carr can be a stable solution for them, it should be relatively simple for them to win double-digit games and the division if their roster has very few holes.