2023 NFL Coach of the Year odds: Steichen lone favorite; Campbell, Ryans close behind

National Football League

Updated Dec. 20, 2023 11:03 a.m. ET

Don’t look now, but the NFL Coach of the Year (COY) race is heating up.

And there’s a new lone favorite at the top of the oddsboard — Indianapolis‘ Shane Steichen.

Steichen’s odds to win COY were +650 a week ago. But the Colts have won five of their last six, including a Week 15, 30-13 victory over the Steelers. Now he sits at +280 to win the prestigious coaching honor.

Behind him at second on the board is Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.

Campbell opened as the betting favorite to win the award before the season kicked off 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 Texans coach’s odds of winning the award were +2200 before the season. 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.

Let’s take a closer look at the Coach of the Year 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

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 in Week 15 at Detroit, Payton’s COY odds lengthened to +4000.

So, which coach will walk away with the trophy? For that, we turned to FOX Sports NFL analyst Geoff Schwartz.

(Editor’s Note: Expert’s picks 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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