NFL Coach of the Year Candidates

These coaches have made the biggest impact in the NFL this season

by Brendan Smith, Sports O'Clock Writing Team Member

Yesterday, I highlighted the NFL head coaches that need to worry about job security. Today, I will highlight the head coaches that have no need to worry about job security. Below, I have ranked five head coaches by the likelihood they will win the Coach of the Year Award at the end of the 2020-21 NFL season. The list could be completely wrong by the end of the season, but it is fun to speculate about the future. Here we go:

Honorable mentions:

Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders

Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

5. Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals

(photo credits: SI.com)

Kingsbury has completely turned the Cardinals around. After finishing 5-10-1 in Kingsbury’s first season, the Cardinals have already matched that win total this season and are right in the middle of a crowded NFC playoff race. Quarterback Kyler Murray has shown significant improvement within Kingsbury’s offense, while the Cardinals deep receiving corps has excelled. Issues on the offensive line and defense may keep the Cardinals from contending this year, but the overall improvement of the roster has earned Kingsbury some plaudits.

4. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

(photo credits: AP Photo/Phil Long)

Leading the Browns to a 5-3 record and a shot at the playoffs immediately places Stefanski in Coach of the Year consideration. Stefanski has found a winning formula in the running game that has helped the Browns overcome the inconsistencies of quarterback Baker Mayfield. The main problem: when the Browns have to play against a team with a physical defense, Stefanski’s offense crumbles; we have seen that against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Las Vegas Raiders so far this year. Regardless, having a winning record with the Browns this late in the season is quite an achievement.

3. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

(photo credits: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Payton has had to overcome a crippled receiving corps, a mistake-prone defense, and Drew Brees’ weakened arm but has still guided the Saints to a 6-2 record and first place in the NFC South. Payton is a top three coach in the NFL, and this might be his finest coaching job in New Orleans outside of the 2010 Super Bowl season. Payton’s offense has relied on intricate and accurate short passing and the utilization of running back Alvin Kamara, and it has been extremely effective. Most importantly, Payton has two massive victories over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that have reminded the NFL that the Saints are still the class of the NFC South. And in the second win over the Bucs, Payton may have finally figured out how to effectively use backup quarterback/running back/receiver/tight end Taysom Hill. Bravo!

2. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

(photo credits: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Steelers are 8-0 for the first time in franchise history, and Tomlin deserves the majority of the credit for getting them there. The Steelers defense under Tomlin is downright scary and is reminiscing of the defense he controlled in the 2008-09 season that led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII. Tomlin should have had Coach of the Year consideration last season for guiding the Steelers to an 8-8 record with very poor quarterback play. Now that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is fully healthy, the Steelers are showing how talented they truly are under Tomlin. It is now Super Bowl or bust for the head coach who has yet to have a losing record in his career.

Projected Winner: Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins

(photo credits: AP)

Flores is working miracles in Miami. The Dolphins, who were expected to be in rebuild mode for several years, are now punching well above their weight and have a great shot at making the playoffs. Flores, a former defensive coach with the New England Patriots, has built a ferocious Dolphins defense that has played a huge part in the Dolphins’ 5-3 record. More importantly, Flores’ decision to bench quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for rookie Tua Tagovailoa looks to be an ingenious decision. If the Dolphins continue to win games and keep up their high-level performances, Flores will easily win the 2020-21 NFL Coach of the Year award.

(All photos are cited properly. No copyright infringement intended.)