NFL COACH OF THE YEAR WILD CARDS

BY ADAM GREENE

While none of these men are the favorites for the NFL’s Coach of the Year Award, I actually like their chances to claim it come season’s end.

Here’s what each man must do to add Coach of the Year Trophy to his mancave.

DAN CAMPBELL, DETROIT LIONS (+1600)

Head coaching record: 17-28-1

Last season: 9-8, did not make the playoffs

Here’s what you must understand — the NFL media is DYING to give Campbell this award. No one is more lovable than this guy and we have all leaned into it. The only people not openly rooting for the Lions to make the playoffs this season are the other teams in the NFC North. Campbell nearly got his team into the postseason bracket a year ago, knocked out by some of the worst refereeing in the Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks game in Week 18 the league had ever seen. This year, Campbell and Detroit can leave no doubt. Expectations are high and that actually works against Campbell for this award. What can put him over the hump? A 12-win season and an NFC North title. He does that, this hardware is his.

ROBERT SALEH, NEW YORK JETS (+2200)

Head coaching record: 11-23

Last season: 7-10, did not make the playoffs

Speaking of high expectations, few teams have the preseason pressure that the New York Jets are currently experiencing. They added Aaron Rodgers, a future first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer and face of whatever class action suit eventually comies for the Big Pharma company that makes ivermectin, but their performance on this season’s Hard Knocks has only made it worse. This has been the greatest season of that show since its inception and we’re just two episodes in. So, considering that, what could land Saleh the award? An AFC East title, won outright, with 13 or so victories would do it. As good as we all expect the Jets to be this year, no one is predicting that they’ll knock off the Buffalo Bills. If they do, and reign supreme in the East, Saleh can add this one to the trophy case.

ZAC TAYLOR, CINCINNATI BENGALS (+2500)

Head coaching record: 28-36-1

Last season: 12-4, lost in the AFC Championship

In spite of the odds available, I’d argue that Taylor has the hardest road to a Coach of the Year trophy amongst this group. Everyone on the planet, barring some catastrophic injury, is expecting the Bengals to not only make the playoffs, but probably be in the AFC Championship at worst. So how does Taylor add this piece of jewelry to the collection? By winning 14 games, AFC Home Field Advantage (something that the Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed for five consecutive seasons) and beating the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the regular season in the process. A win over the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 29 wouldn’t hurt.

BRANDON STALEY, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (+4000)

Head coaching record: 19-15

Last season: 10-7, lost in the AFC Wild Card round

Staley is very much in the same camp as Taylor when it comes to this trophy. Everyone expects his team to make it into the bracket. What Staley would have to do to suit up and take this trophy home is beat the Chiefs for the AFC West title outright, which will probably take at least 13 victories. And he has to do it against a full-strength Chiefs squad. Any big injury in Kansas City negates the accomplishment. Staley is a good coach and has a capable team. More importantly, he was a quarterback in Justin Herbert capable of playing at an MVP level and that’s probably what it’ll take to win a Coach of the Year.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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