The 2023 NFL Coach of the Year race was close for much of the season, but there’s one name that’s distanced himself as the clear favorite.
That would be Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, as he’s guided the Browns to a double-digit win season and a playoff berth despite having four different starting quarterbacks and is now a heavy favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year.
Stefanski is currently a chalk favorite (-1200) at Caesars Sportsbook for the award, which will be announced at the 2023 NFL Honors ceremony the week of Super Bowl 58.
Stefanski’s Browns have now won their last four games with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco taking over and sparking a stagnant offense that had lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season due to injury.
Flacco’s comeback story was a huge surprise considering he hadn’t taken an NFL snap all season and had struggled with the Jets in 2022, but Stefanski’s offense has been at its best the past five weeks with Flacco starting.
The Browns defense has also been strong this season under Stefanski, as he brought in a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz, and their unit is among the best in the NFL having given up the least amount of yards this season.
Other coaches still in the coach of the year mix include Texans first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans (+900), Colts first-year head coach Shane Steichen (+1200) and Lions head coach Dan Campbell (+1200).
The Texans and the Colts face each other in Week 18, and the winner out of Ryans and Steichen could garner some attention from voters considering that a 10-win season from either would be impressive in their first season.
Campbell was the preseason favorite to win the award and stayed at or near the front for most of the year, but his odds worsened after the Lions lost to the Cowboys in Week 17.
Other names in the mix include Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (+1600) and Rams head coach Sean McVay (+1800), but it’s unlikely that they’ll gain any traction considering that their teams have nothing to play for in Week 18.
2023 NFL COACH OF THE YEAR ODDS
Odds from Caesars Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Jan. 3, official odds partner of Bet.NOLA.com
Kevin Stefanski, Browns (-1200)
DeMeco Ryans, Texans (+900)
Dan Campbell, Lions (+1200)
Shane Steichen, Colts (+1200)
John Harbaugh, Ravens (+1600)
Sean McVay, Rams (+1800)
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers (+3000)
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins (+3000)
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys (+8000)
Mike Tomlin, Steelers (+10000)
Sean Payton, Broncos (+12500)
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers (+12500)
Antonio Pierce, Raiders (+12500)
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings (+15000)