Hold up, the NFL Coach of the Year race just got wild. Ben Solak from ESPN dropped a bomb Tuesday, putting Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski right at the top of the list for the prestigious honor, potentially snatching it away from some early favorites.
The Original Contenders Getting Buzzed
Before Stefanski crashed the party, everyone was talking about Ben Johnson, John Harbaugh, and Todd Monken. Johnson was a fan favorite last year, working wonders in his first year with the Chicago Bears. This season, Harbaugh and Monken have been resurrecting their teams, with their squads, the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, showing serious life and making football watching a lot more fun. There are quite a few sleeper teams doing well this season, which always makes things exciting.
Stefanski’s Shocking Rise in Atlanta
But Solak sees Stefanski as the real deal, and for good reason. The Falcons are making some surprising strides and are well positioned in a weak NFC South to snatch a division title. Solak points out that Atlanta has plenty of proof they can play with anyone in this league, even with the 49ers dealing with injuries. He’s talking about the Falcons ending the season 10-7, grabbing a home playoff game, and that feels like the winning ticket for Coach of the Year. Solak isn’t holding back, saying he “loves the job he’s doing in Atlanta” and that Stefanski “deserves his flowers in this space.”
A Third Time’s The Charm?
What makes this even crazier? If Stefanski pulls it off, it’ll be his *third* time winning the award. Seriously! For those who forgot, Stefanski won Coach of the Year twice in his six-year tenure with the Browns. That puts him in some seriously elite company, joining legends like Don Shula, Bill Belichick, and Chuck Knox as coaches who have won the honor at least three times. So, to Ben, John, and Todd: watch your backs. This Coach of the Year honor might just slip right through your fingers to a very familiar face.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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