The start of the 2021 NFL season is less than a month away, but that hasn’t stopped people from theorizing on who’ll be named the league’s top coach. BetOnline has recently odds on who’ll win the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year award. The sportsbook is currently favoring Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera to win it at +800 odds.
After spending most of the last decade coaching the Carolina Panthers, Rivera took his talents to Washington in 2020 to help turn the team around. So far, his impact has been noticeable. Washington won the NFC East with a 7-9 record, however, there weren’t many complaints as it was the organization’s first time making the playoffs and winning its division since 2015. While WFT was eliminated in the Wild Card round, the experience served as the foundation for what could be success down the line. If that’s the case, Rivera could be in contention for the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year award.
The Washington coach isn’t a stranger to the award as he won it twice with the Panthers in 2013 and 2015. Considering how Bill Belichick, Don Shula and Chuck Knox are the only other former coaches to have won the award three or more times, Rivera has the chance to join the history books. Nevertheless, Washington has built a stronger team over the offseason by adding guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Curtis Samuel and rookie Jamin Davis. As long as all of the team’s offseason additions contribute as expected, WFT has a solid chance at playing even better than they did last year. If that’s the case, Rivera could be a three-time coach of the year when all is said and done.
2021 NFL Coach of the Year Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Thursday, August 19
- Ron Rivera (+800)
- Brian Flores (+850)
- Kyle Shanahan (+900)
- Urban Meyer (+900)
- Arthur Smith (+1200)
- Bill Belichick (+1600)
- Brandon Staley (+1600)
- Kevin Stefanski (+2000)
- Sean McDermott (+2000)
- Sean McVay (+2000)
- Bruce Arians (+2200)
- Frank Reich (+2200)
Complete odds list available at BetOnline.ag.
Brian Flores NFL Coach of the Year Odds
The Miami Dolphins went 5-11 in Brian Flores’ first year as their head coach in 2019. However, he showed tremendous growth in his second season with the team, coaching the Dolphins to a 10-6 record last year — just barely missing out on the playoffs. Assuming Miami can take another leap, Flores (+850) could be primed to win his first NFL Coach of the Year award in 2021.
The Dolphins were a middle-of-the-pack team last year when it came to offense, averaging 25.2 points per game (15th). However, sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had another year to grow and he’ll have new weapons in the form of Will Fuller V and 2021 sixth overall pick Jaylen Waddle to target now. As for the defense, Miami had one of the top squads in 2020, allowing 21.1 points per game — the fourth-best total in the league. Assuming the defense can stay consistent and the Dolphins offense shows some improvement, Flores should be in the running for NFL Coach of the Year throughout the season.
Kyle Shanahan NFL COTY Odds
After playing in the Super Bowl back in 2019, last year was not kind for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. A campaign marred by injuries caused the 49ers to go from a 13-3 team to a 6-10 one, finishing at the bottom of the NFC West. If the team can successfully pull off a bounce-back performance this season, Shanahan (+900) should be in the running 2021 NFL Coach of the Year.
Fortunately, San Francisco’s key players have been healing over the offseason, which should lead to better results in 2021. The 49ers have one of the best defences in the league, so that shouldn’t be much of a concern. What’ll be interesting is to see how the offense looks. Trey Lance is lined up to be the team’s No. 1 quarterback after impressive showings at training camp and during his preseason debut. If he’s truly ready for the starting role, a player with Lance’s potential and talents could be game-changing, which would certainly help Shanahan in his race to become the NFL’s top coach in 2021.
