There have been a lot of surprises in the 2022NFL season. Here’s a look at the top Coach of the Year candidates:
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
Preseason win total*: 9.5
*Courtesy of The Action Network
Record: 13-3
Nick Sirianni is the favorite and was running away with this award until recent losses. Without Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles have dropped back-to-back games to the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. Still, no one could have predicted that Philadelphia would win its first eight games and be 13-1 midway through December. Boosted by the NFL’s best offensive line and the off-season acquisition of A.J. Brown, the Eagles have looked overwhelming at times. Sirianni seemed like a questionable hire when he was brought in 2021 to replace Doug Pederson. But you can’t argue with the results, plus his work with Hurts to develop him into an MVP candidate.
Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Preseason win total: 6.5
Record: 8-8
Doug Pederson is the only coach on this list with a Super Bowl ring. But he also entered this season with something to prove after being fired by Philadelphia. He took over a trainwreck of a franchise after the failed Urban Meyer experiment. Yes, the Jacksonville Jaguars spent a ton of money in free agency, but that didn’t buy them much respect in terms of expectations. They have been one of the biggest surprises and could clinch the AFC South title and a playoff berth by beating the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. Pederson has brought stability and professionalism that was missing under Meyer. Pederson has also overseen the improvement of Trevor Lawrence, who has thrown 14 touchdowns to two interceptions over his last eight games.
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Preseason win total: 10
Record: 12-4
Losing your starting quarterback for the season is usually fatal. The San Francisco 49ers are without Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo and down to their third-string QB. No problem. The Niners have the league’s longest winning streak at nine straight and are 4-0 with rookie passer Brock Purdy as a starter. That’s astonishing. Mr. Irrelevant has thrown 10 touchdowns to four interceptions and has a higher passer rating than Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. We all know that Kyle Shanahan runs a quarterback-friendly offense, but in previous years when Garoppolo was hurt, the Niners struggled to win. This season, credit Shanahan for keeping this team together.
Show character and keep stacking dubs 😤 pic.twitter.com/jXI2MS6Qeu
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 2, 2023
Brian Daboll, New York Giants
Preseason win total: 7
Record: 9-6-1
Ben McAdoo was the last coach to guide the New York Giants to the playoffs in 2016. Since then, they have cycled through McAdoo, Pat Shurmur, and Joe Judge. Looks like they have finally gotten it right with Brian Daboll. These Giants are not a great team, and for Daboll to squeeze out nine victories and a postseason berth is a major accomplishment. Daboll was hired primarily to fix talented but turnover-prone Daniel Jones. Jones may not be the long-term solution at quarterback, but he has set career-bests in passer rating and fewest interceptions (five). Daboll built the offense around a healthy Saquon Barkley, who has rushed for a career-best 1,312 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
Good morning to Giants fans, and Giants fans only!!!#VictoryMonday pic.twitter.com/dDBvSbxALL
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 2, 2023
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Preseason win total: 9
Record: 12-4
There’s no doubt that the Minnesota Vikings have benefited from a more modern approach under Kevin O’Connell following the antiquated philosophies of Mike Zimmer. Most observers saw the Vikings as underachievers who needed a change. O’Connell, the former offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, has gotten the most out of a talented group. However, the Vikings have also been extraordinarily lucky. They have won an NFL-record 11 one-score games, including the greatest comeback in league history. That’s highly unusual, and you can’t attribute all of that to coaching. But you can credit O’Connell for maximizing Justin Jefferson, who leads the league in catches (124) and receiving yards (1,771).
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Preseason win total: 6.5
Record: 8-8
Dan Campbell‘s press conferences are must-see TV, so it would be fun to see him in the playoffs. The Detroit Lions haven’t made the postseason since 2016. Detroit needs a road victory over the Green Bay Packers and some help to get in. Regardless, it has been a successful year for a franchise that’s normally a laughingstock. Detroit is an exciting bunch as the only team in the league that has scored 400 points and given up 400 points. The Lions have been especially entertaining at home, averaging 33.1 at Ford Field. Campbell motivates his players and has rebuilt the confidence of Jared Goff, who watched his replacement with the Rams, Matthew Stafford, win the Super Bowl.
We'll be there. pic.twitter.com/x9qHLdQxyF
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 2, 2023
