Five leading NFL Coach of the Year candidates

The 2023 NFL Coach of the Year race appeared to be a two-horse race, but several intriguing contenders have recently emerged who have compelling arguments to support their candidacies. With Week 8 nearly wrapped up, here are the leading candidates for the Coach of the Year Award: 

1. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

The odds-on favorite for the award for most of the season (+290), Campbell and his 5-2 Lions have proven why they deserved the immense hype they garnered during the offseason. Detroit’s turnaround has been a remarkable success story, especially since it is 13-4 over the last 17 games, the second-best mark in the NFL, after posting a 4-19-1 record in Campbell’s first 24 contests as head coach. 

Since the second-place Minnesota Vikings (4-4) lost QB Kirk Cousins and WR Justin Jefferson to injuries, Detroit should have little issue capturing the NFC North crown. Winning the NFC North would be a first for the franchise, as the Lions’ last division title came in 1993 when it was known as the NFC Central. Accomplishing the feat would give Campbell a significant leg up in the Coach of the Year race.  

2. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

Although there wasn’t much doubt that the Dolphins were loaded with talent entering the season, few could’ve predicted McDaniel’s offense would get off to such a historic pace. Aside from leading the league in points (271), the Dolphins have racked up the most passing and rushing yards as well as touchdowns in the NFL. Their 453.3 average yards per game this season, 65.9 more yards than the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank second in that category.

Miami (6-2) is atop the AFC East through its first eight games and could be primed for its first division title since 2008 if the Buffalo Bills’ injuries continue to hinder their performance. Even so, its 0-2 record against teams above .500 is a concern for McDaniel’s candidacy and the team’s Super Bowl potential. However, given that the Dolphins still have to play Kansas City, Dallas and Buffalo, there’s still time to show that they belong among the NFL’s elite and for McDaniels to retake the lead for Coach of the Year. 

3. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans

If a second consecutive first-year head coach were to receive the award, Ryans is the obvious choice. With a 3-4 record, Houston already has as many wins as it earned last season and finally seems to be creating a sustainable winning culture thanks largely to Ryans’ staff and rookie QB C.J. Stroud.

The former 49ers DC has completely transformed a defense that surrendered the sixth-most points last season (420) into a unit that is giving up 18.3 points per game and has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in 2023 (five). It seems unlikely that the Texans will unseat the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) for the AFC South title, though they’re still firmly in the playoff hunt through eight weeks. That alone should make this season be considered a massive success.

4. Robert Saleh, New York Jets

While the Jets are only 4-3, Saleh deserves plenty of praise for keeping the team afloat, considering they lost QB Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles injury in Week 1 and how competitive their division is. Not to mention, New York is on a three-game winning streak and climbed out of a 1-3 hole to start the season while making former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson look like a competent quarterback more often than not.

Like last season, New York’s defense is still the team’s strongest point and has excelled against some of the NFL’s top signal-callers, even though the secondary has dealt with injuries. The Jets are the third-best pass defense in the NFL (1,291 yards allowed) and rank fifth in takeaways (13). New York has enough talent to make the playoffs, yet it’ll take excellent coaching from Saleh to handle a tough schedule with its one-dimensional offense, but if he can pull it off, he’ll be a strong contender for COTY.

5. Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks

Despite guiding a Seahawks team that was expected to be among the league’s worst to the playoffs last season, Carroll finished ninth in Coach of the Year balloting but should place higher this time around. The Seahawks (5-2) are in sole possession of the NFC West following Sunday’s 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns (4-3), an outcome that would have been a bit surprising to imagine a month ago.

While Seattle’s offense hasn’t been able to replicate 2022’s success, the defense has carried the team through seven games. The Seahawks have allowed the 11th-fewest points per game (19.7) this season, a substantial improvement after allowing the eighth-most points last season (401) and a testament to the defensive-minded head coach. Seattle won’t have an easy time holding onto the division lead, as it has the eighth-most difficult remaining strength of schedule based on its opponents’ records (.545), which bodes well for Carroll’s candidacy if the team stays on track.