Tag: nfl coach of the year

Commanders’ Dan Quinn didn’t finish in the top four for NFL Coach of the Year

Despite leading one of the more impressive turnarounds in NFL history, it wasn’t enough for Dan Quinn to finish among the top four for NFL Coach of the Year.

You likely heard that Josh Allen won the MVP award at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night. This upset some, who believed Lamar Jackson should’ve won the award. Both players had strong arguments for the prize.

However, that’s not the biggest robbery from Thursday’s annual NFL award show.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn didn’t win NFL Coach of the Year. We presented our case about how Quinn was robbed. Afterward, we learned where Quinn finished in the Coach of the Year voting: fifth among the five candidates. 

Yes, you read that correctly. The coach who inherited a 4-13 roster and won 12 games in his first season and two more on the road in the playoffs before falling short in the NFC championship.

Kevin O’Connell won the award. O’Connell was deserving, leading the Vikings to 14 wins, and the job he did helping quarterback Sam Darnold turn his career around was super impressive. Minnesota won seven games in 2023.

The other finalists, Dan Campbell (Lions) and Andy Reid (Chiefs) entered the season expected to be in their respective conference championship games. Both finished ahead of Quinn.

Finally, the other candidate, a former Coach of the Year and Super Bowl champion, Sean Payton (Broncos), finished fourth. Payton went 8-9 in 2023 and 10-7 in 2025. Yet, somehow, voters felt he was more deserving than Quinn.

This isn’t a knock on any of these four coaches. If they walk away, Reid and Payton are Hall of Fame coaches right now. Campbell has built a juggernaut in Detroit, while O’Connell has quickly proved to be an elite coach.

The Washington Commanders were a mess before Josh Harris bought the team in July 2023. They finished 4-13 during his first season as owner, firing head coach/GM Ron Rivera. Everything was new when Harris hired Adam Peters as the new general manager last January. The duo later hired Quinn as head coach, a move many criticized.

Quinn clearly got the last laugh, proving to be the leader the Commanders desperately needed. Somehow, that wasn’t enough to get him NFL Coach of the Year honors, or finish in the top four.

Quinn doesn’t care. He would tell you he doesn’t care and that would be genuine. That’s not the type of guy Dan Quinn is. He’s all about the team. Quinn would quickly deflect to Washington’s other leaders, his coaching staff, and the players for the Commanders’ 2024 success.

Quinn should’ve been the NFL Coach of the Year., or, at the very least, finished a close second to O’Connell. Those Much like the voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this system is broken, too.

 

How did the Commanders’ Dan Quinn not win Coach of the Year?

Dan Quinn was robbed.

It’s a subjective award, and that means it rests on opinions and not facts.

Thursday, the NFL Honors awarded their NFL Coach of the Year award for the 2024 season. The award was given to the Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.

The Vikings finished the regular season 14-3, second in the NFC North behind Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions (15-2). Campbell, Kansas City’s Andy Reid, Denver’s Sean Payton, and Washington’s Dan Quinn were also nominees for the award.

Yes, the Vikings had a great year. They were 7-10 in 2023, but even more, just two seasons ago in 2022, the Vikings were 13-4. So why was he this year’s best coach?

Campbell and the Lions were 12-5 in 2023, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Reid is the defending Super Bowl championship head coach attempting to make it three consecutive NFL titles, which no team has accomplished in the Super Bowl era (1966-2024).

Payton is a mystery as to why he was made a finalist. The Broncos were 8-9 in 2023 and 10-7 in 2024.

This brings us to the Commanders’ Dan Quinn. Quinn took over a team that finished 4-13 in 2023. It was a terrible season. Quinn had become the head coach of a franchise that had not had a winning season since 2016! The Commanders had not won a playoff game since the 2005 season!

Quinn led the Commanders to a shocking 12-5 season. Did the voters realize Washington had not won 12 games in a season since Joe Gibbs coached Washington in 1991?

Dan Quinn should have been a slam dunk Coach of the Year! Seriously, what were the voters looking for in determining what qualifies one for coach of the year?

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves weighed in.

It’s really not even challenging to see that Dan Quinn led the greatest turnaround season this year and was the NFL Coach of the Year, whether he was awarded as such or not.

X reacts to Joe Buck’s foolish take on Dan Quinn

Social media let Joe Buck have it for his inaccurate take on Dan Quinn.

Late in the Monday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns, ESPN’s Joe Buck made his case that Sean Payton should be the NFL Coach of the Year before things got awkward.

Buck’s argument: Payton has the Broncos in the middle of the playoff race with a rookie quarterback. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, four of whom are currently starting, and two have their teams firmly in the playoffs mix: Bo Nix [Broncos] and Jayden Daniels [Washington Commanders].

Did Buck forget that Washington coach Dan Quinn has the Commanders sitting at 8-5, with a rookie quarterback and a completely overhauled roster thanks to years of Ron Rivera’s lousy drafting?

So, was Buck’s exuberance a mere slip? It didn’t take long for him to react, mentioning Quinn’s candidacy for NFL Coach of the Year, but only in passing.

“I’m not slighting Dan Quinn, by the way, who has done a great job in Washington, and he is doing it with Jayden Daniels,” But, you hear it about [Mike] Tomlin and Dan Campbell, who has been amazing, [Kevin] O’Connell in Minnesota, and Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers. But the one guy doing it with a rookie quarterback is Sean Payton.”

Wait, what?

Instead, he had a chance to backtrack but reiterated his inaccurate point about Payton.

X — formerly Twitter — noticed Buck’s foolish take.

Interestingly, Buck said the Broncos were only projected to win four or five games. Almost no one had the Commanders predicted to be better than the Broncos, yet Quinn and Daniels have already doubled Washington’s 2023 win total — with four games remaining.

Dan Quinn should be NFL Coach of the Year for inheriting Ron Rivera’s mess

Saturday’s release of Emmanuel Forbes is further proof of the mess Adam Peters and Dan Quinn inherited.

Another chapter of the miserable four-year reign of Ron Rivera was closed on Saturday. The Washington Commanders released 2023 first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes after only 20 games played for the franchise.

The news wasn’t a surprise. Besides a thumb injury that cost him some time early in the season, Forbes has been a healthy scratch for weeks. Over the last five games, Forbes played eight total defensive snaps and was either inactive or did not play in three of those five games.

Head coach Dan Quinn and his staff, known for developing defensive backs, had seen enough of Forbes. With the release of Forbes, none of Rivera’s four first-round picks are in Washington anymore. The Commanders traded Chase Young (2020) last season, released Jamin Davis (2021) this season, traded Jahan Dotson (2022) in the summer, and now waive Forbes.

That’s some historic ineptitude.

That begs the question: What did Rivera accomplish in four years? Don’t even start about the culture. Anytime Rivera was even pushed about his lack of success, the excuses began, starting with the culture. He was changing the culture. Here’s the funny thing: right guard Sam Cosmi didn’t even understand what culture meant until Quinn arrived and actually changed the culture this past offseason.

Never forget Rivera and the Super Bowl comments.

“I don’t worry about being on the hot seat, Rivera said before the 2023 season. “If we go 8-8-1 this year and he fires me, and next year they win the division with 40 of the 53 players we drafted and the same quarterback? I’m vindicated, send me my Super Bowl ring.”

That aged poorly.

What did new general manager Adam Peters think of the roster Rivera left him?

Peters’ pause told you everything you needed to know and that was weeks before the new GM would take a wrecking ball to Rivera’s roster.

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, the Commanders sit at 7-5 on the season, currently an NFC playoff team. When you think of what Peters and Quinn inherited, it’s a small miracle this team even won seven games this season. And Washington has five games remaining.

Regardless of what you think about the Commanders’ recent slump, consider where they were. No, it doesn’t excuse the current three-game losing streak, but it should give everyone perspective. For the first in a long time, Washington has professionals in charge.

So, when you’re mad when Quinn doesn’t challenge a call or go for it on fourth down, remember where the Commanders were at this time one year ago.

Do you think Dan Quinn is scrolling social media to see what the media and fans say about him? It’s the same thing with Peters. Do you think he cares what those on the outside think of the job he’s doing? And Quinn certainly isn’t going to lecture a reporter for asking a valid question.

Regardless of what happens during the remainder of this season, Quinn should already be the NFL’s Coach of the Year for his work with the Commanders. Peters should already be the NFL’s Executive of the Year. They inherited a mess, but with five games remaining, they have the team positioned well for the playoffs—with a rookie quarterback.

The departure of Emmanuel Forbes officially closes the book on the Ron Rivera era.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski wins second NFL Coach of the Year Award in four years

Congrats, Coach!

After crossing numerous milestones for the Cleveland Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski has won NFL Coach of the Year for the second time in four years.

Going up against the likes of Houston Texans’ head coach Demeco Ryans and Detriot Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell, Stefanski takes home the hardware despite losing the PFWA vote to Ryans last month.

Leading the Browns through a great deal of adversity in 2023, Stefanski kept the team focused despite the loss of key players like running back Nick Chubb, right tackle Jack Conklin, and quarterback Deshaun Watson for the majority of the season.

Most notably, the Browns saw 26 percent of their salary wind up on Injured Reserve, starting five different quarterbacks (and winning with four of them) en route to clinching an 11-win season and a playoff berth.

Stefanski also won the award in 2020, leading the Browns to their first playoff berth since the 2002 season. For the first time since their return in 1999, the Browns have a beacon of consistency and continuity within the building.

Congratulations, Coach!

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John Harbaugh deserves the NFL Coach of the year award

The No.1 seeded Baltimore Ravens have the best record in the NFL and a beloved head coach named John Harbaugh.

The AFC’s No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens have the best record in the NFL and a beloved head coach named John Harbaugh. Does Harbaugh deserve the NFL Coach of the Year award?

Harbaugh has had an extraordinary career with a winning record of 171-107 but this season he’s been even more special. Harbaugh deserves credit for allowing new offensive coordinator Todd Monken the liberty to run a newer non-traditional offense.

The Ravens rank No. 2 in the NFL in points per game, No. 1 in points allowed per game, and have arguably, the league’s MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson. With a roster full of talent, Harbaugh has done a tremendous job establishing a philosophy of togetherness in the Ravens locker room. 

Harbaugh has stayed optimistic, even after overcoming key injuries. The Ravens incurred season-ending injuries to tight-end Mark Andrews and running back Keaton Mitchell, plus overcame early season injuries to defensive back Marlon Humphrey and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Harbaugh’s cool-headed approach is contagious and it’s evidently why reserves have entered the lineup and performed so well, including safety Geno Stone who leads the team with seven interceptions, and tight-end Isaiah Likely who has played well.

 
 
 
 
 
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Beckham Jr. openly confessed that the 2023 Ravens were the best team he has ever been a part of. Cleveland Browns fans may praise head coach Kevin Stefanski but should thank Harbaugh for his impact on quarterback Joe Flacco’s longevity. Perhaps Harbaugh will be crowned at the NFL Honors this February. 

NFL Award Predictions: Coach of the Year

Touchdown Wire’s Natalie Miller has five NFL coaches in mind who could win Coach of the Year when all is said and done.

With the season closing in on us at a rapid pace things in the NFL are becoming more and more clear as far as final rosters and depth charts. With those things out of the way it comes time for projections! In this series we will be going through each individual award and pick five players that we think have a great shot at bringing home the medal. Today we will be looking at the NFL’s Coach of the Year award. He are our five picks.

Brian Daboll of Giants earns NFL Coach of the Year honors

Brian Daboll of the New York Giants was named NFL Coach of the Year

Brian Daboll of the New York Giants changed the culture of the franchise and brought Big Blue a playoff spot in his first season with the team.

The Giants’ coach was named NFL Coach of the Year on Thursday at NFL Honors in Arizona.

Daboll topped Sean McDermott of the Bills, Doug Pederson of the Jaguars, Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers, and Nick Sirianni of the Eagles.

Daboll came to the Giants from the Buffalo Bills, where he was credited with developing Josh Allen into a superstar quarterback.

The Giants had lost double-digit games every season from 2017 until 2022. They finished 9-7-1 and third in the NFC East, earning a Wild Card spot.

Daboll and the Giants also downed the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs.

 

 

How to watch 2023 NFL Honors show: TV channel, time, stream

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is one of three nominees for NFL Coach of the Year, which will be announced tonight.

With Super Bowl LVII days away, the NFL will honor the standouts of the 2022 season Thursday night in Phoenix.

For Jacksonville Jaguars fans, the main event will be the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is one of three finalists for the award, along with the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll and the San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan.

In addition to that award, the NFL Honors show on Thursday will dish out the following during the show:

AP Most Valuable Player
AP Comeback Player of the Year
AP Offensive Player of the Year
AP Defensive Player of the Year
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Best Moment of the Year
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
NFL Inspire Change Tribute
FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year
Salute to Service Award
Bud Light Celly of the Year
NFL Fan of the Year
Deacon Jones Sack Leader Award
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
AP Assistant Coach of the Year

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will also be announced Thursday. While he spent only one season with the Jaguars, wide receiver Torry Holt has a chance to be the second player ever to play for the franchise and reach the Hall of Fame.

Here’s how to tune in the for the NFL’s annual awards show:

2023 NFL Honors

  • Date: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023
  • Kickoff Time: 9 p.m ET
  • Location: Symphony Hall, Phoenix, Ariz.
  • TV Channel: NBC, NFL Network
  • Live Stream: Peacock
  • Host: Kelly Clarkson

Trevor Lawrence makes case for Doug Pederson to win Coach of the Year

Doug Pederson for Coach of the Year? Trevor Lawrence thinks so.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were owners of the No. 1 pick in back-to-back NFL drafts before Doug Pederson was hired, but in his first year as head coach, the team is a win away from a division title.

That turnaround should be enough to earn Pederson consideration for the NFL Coach of the Year Award, if you ask quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“I think Coach [Pederson] 100 percent should be in the conversation and could win the award,” Lawrence said Wednesday. “You look at what he’s done here, just the energy, not only the Xs and Os and football stuff, but just the energy, the culture that we’ve created here that, obviously, he’s had a huge part in bringing here.

“It’s tough to do, especially in the first year and a bunch of new people. I just can’t say enough about the job he’s done and how much I love playing for him and appreciate him, so 100 percent, I think he should be in that conversation.”

According to the oddsmakers at BetMGM, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is still the favorite for the award. In his second season, Sirianni has led the Eagles to an NFL-best 13-3 record. Not far behind Sirianni are Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and Brian Daboll of the New York Giants with Pederson in a distant fourth.

While Pederson’s chances at winning Coach of the Year are likely slim, there’s no denying his impact in Jacksonville. On Saturday, the Jaguars have a chance to earn their second ever AFC South title and finish with a winning record for only the second time in the last 15 years.