The NFL season starts this week with Matt Eberflus from the Chicago Bears and Jim Harbaugh from the Los Angeles Chargers as cofavorites to win Coach of the Year (COY) at +850 odds according to BetMGM. Other COY favorites include Mike Macdonald from the Seattle Seahawks a +1000, Matt LaFluer from the Green Bay Packers (+1200), Raheem Morris from the Atlanta Falcons (+1300), and DeMeco Ryans (+1300) from the Houston Texans.
Kevin Stefanski from the Cleveland Browns won the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year after he led the Browns to an 11-6 record. It was his second COY award in the last four seasons after he also won in 2020. Stefanski edged out Ryans for the award in a close race.
Matt Eberflus +850
What a difference a season makes. Eberflus found himself on the hot seat in the last two seasons with the Bears, especially after a 0-4 start in 2023. The organization stuck with him after finishing the season 7-6, and now he’s the cofavorite to win the Coach of the Year. If #1 pick in the draft Caleb Wiliams emerges as a top-tiered quarterback this season, then he’ll help elevate the Bears which in turn will vastly increase Eberflus’ chances of winning the COY.
The Bears have not posted a winning record since 2018. They currently have a win total of 8.5 Over/Under, so the market is undecided if they could be a winning team. On paper, they have a solid defense and upgraded their offense. If they win 10-plus games and compete for a division title, then Eberflus can be a legitimate contender to win the COY at +850 odds.
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Jim Harbaugh +850
Harbaugh won the 2011 COY with the San Francisco 49ers when he led them to a 13-3 record during his first season with the franchise. He has spent the last nine seasons in the collegiate ranks with the Michigan Wolverines and led them to a national title in 2023. After dealing with multiple scandals in Michigan, Harbaugh returned to the NFL and took over as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harbaugh has a marquee name and has always installed a winning culture where he coaches, which is why his odds are inflated. He inherits a last-place team that went 5-12 in 2023. Sure, he has a stud quarterback in Justin Herbert, but all of his offensive weapons from last season have departed. At +850 odds, Harbaugh is overvalued.
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Mike Macdonald +1000
If you’re seeking a value pick, then Mike Macdonald is your guy. The former defensive coordinator from the Baltimore Ravens replaced the long-tenured Pete Caroll with the Seattle Seahawks. Macdonald was the mastermind behind the top DVOA-ranked defense in the NFL that allowed only 16.5 points per game in the regular season. It was only a matter of time before the top DC in the NFL was poached for a head coaching job.
Macdonald takes over a Seahawks’ team that went 9-8 and narrowly missed a Wild Card berth. If this is a year that San Francisco takes a step back, then the Seahawks can possibly take advantage of a weakened NFC West and post double-digits victories. At +1000 odds, Macdonald is worthy of a flier to win COY.
Matt LaFleur +1200
The Packers went 9-8 in 2023 during their first season without Aaron Rodgers. Jordan Love overcame a slow start at quarterback and led the Packers to a 6-2 record in the second half of the seasons and clinched a Wild Card berth. Expectations are high in Green Bay this season and the Packers have a win total of 10.5 O/U. That actually puts Matt LaFluer at a slight disadvantage which is why his odds are only +1200.
Raheem Morris +1300
The Atlanta Falcons finally ended the Arthur Smith regime and hired Raheem Morris to turn around the franchise. Morris is a former assistant coach with the Falcons who spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Morris is back in Hotlanta, and bettors love the addition. The Falcons went 7-10 last season but have a win total of 9.5 Over/Under.
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DeMeco Ryans +1400
A lot of fans felt Ryans should’ve won the 2023 Coach of the Year considering he helped turn around one of the worst franchises in the league. The Texans were the surprise team in the NFL last season with 10 victories and secured a division title. No one is going to overlook the Texans this season, so Ryans will have to do an even bigger job than last season if he expects to have a shot at winning COY. Right now, he’s +1400 odds and the sixth favorite on the NFL awards board.
