Sean Payton’s Case for Coach of the Year Is Stronger Than You Think
The Coach of the Year race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with a deep field of candidates making compelling cases. But if you’re looking for substance over flash, Sean Payton deserves a serious look. What he’s done in Denver this season goes beyond just a turnaround-it’s been a full-scale revival.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Broncos are red-hot. They’re riding a 10-game win streak heading into this weekend’s matchup with the Packers, and they haven’t just been winning-they’ve been clutch.
Six of those wins have come on game-winning drives. That’s not just a team figuring things out late in games; that’s a team with poise, confidence, and a head coach who knows how to manage moments when they matter most.
Payton has also fast-tracked the development of second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Nix has taken a noticeable step forward, and so has the offense.
Denver has climbed from 16th to 11th in total EPA (expected points added), a strong indicator that this unit is not just more explosive, but more efficient. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident-it’s a product of smart scheming, tailored development, and a coach who knows how to build around his quarterback’s strengths.
Defensively, the Broncos are setting the tone. They lead the NFL with 55 sacks and are within striking distance of the all-time single-season record held by the '84 Bears.
That’s elite company. And it’s not just about pressure-they’re locking teams down on the scoreboard, too, allowing just 18.1 points per game, fourth-fewest in the league.
This is a complete team, and Payton’s fingerprints are all over it.
Still, despite all that, Payton might not walk away with the hardware. The Coach of the Year award often favors the newcomers-the fresh faces who pull off dramatic one-year turnarounds. That’s where names like Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson enter the conversation.
Vrabel has the Patriots not just back in the playoff mix, but battling the Broncos for the top seed in the AFC. A win over the Bills this weekend could put New England back atop the AFC East.
Meanwhile, Johnson has completely flipped the script in Chicago. With Caleb Williams at quarterback and Johnson steering the ship, the Bears have gone from dysfunctional to dangerous in a matter of months.
There are other strong contenders, too. Liam Coen has steadied the Jaguars after a rocky stretch under Urban Meyer and Doug Pederson.
Mike Macdonald is building something real in Seattle, following a similar trajectory to Payton’s Broncos-last year’s 10-7 playoff team now pushing for a higher ceiling. And of course, familiar names like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan remain in the mix, leading perennial contenders through another strong season.
But here’s the thing: while others may have the new-car smell, Payton has built something that’s built to last. He’s taken a team that was stuck in neutral and turned it into a legitimate AFC powerhouse. If the Broncos keep rolling and finish strong, it’ll be hard to ignore what he’s done-not just this year, but over the course of a steady, methodical rebuild.
Coach of the Year isn’t always about who’s the flashiest or newest. Sometimes, it’s about who did the best job-period.
And if Denver keeps this up, Sean Payton won’t just be part of the conversation. He’ll be at the center of it.