Cincinnati Bengals could realistically garner 4 big awards in 2021
Coach of the Year
Why not Zac Taylor? Did anyone expect to be having this conversation in year three of the Taylor era? Many people thought the third year of the Taylor era would end around Thanksgiving. Considering the Brown family has never fired a coach in season, that was only the remotest possibility, but that didn’t stop the speculation.
Fast forward seven weeks and not only are the Bengals the current 1-seed in the AFC, but Zac Taylor also has to be considered the front runner for Coach of the Year.
How can he not be?
Taylor has taken a roster that many considered talented but fatally deficient in several areas and gotten them to fully buy into what he is selling. The results on the field reflect this. This is a team that genuinely cares about one another and plays for one another rather than themselves.
When you have that level of commitment good things are going to happen. Let’s briefly look at the other potential Coach of the Year candidates (all odds courtesy of WynnBET).
1. Brandon Staley – Los Angeles Chargers (+425 — Betting Favorite)
Staley has done a fantastic job with the Chargers, but it’s not as if he inherited an empty cupboard. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Justin Herbert, and Austin Ekeler form a very good foundation. However, the Chargers got smoked by the very same Ravens team the Bengals dominated Sunday.
2. Mike Vrabel – Tennessee Titans (+3000)
The Titans were a playoff team in 2020, and despite being somewhat underestimated in 2021 they currently sit at 5-2 on top of the AFC South. However, when you have Derrick Henry, you SHOULD be a playoff contender. Vrabel has done an excellent job (and is an excellent value bet, right now), but not to the level Taylor has.
3. Kliff Kingsbury – Arizona Cardinals (+650)
No disputing the results Kingsbury has gotten in Arizona, considering many expected his college system to fail at the NFL level. However, when you have Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, you better win. If they get to 14 wins Kingsbury may well get the nod, otherwise, Taylor is a more deserving candidate.
Zac Taylor’s Coach of the Year odds currently sit at +1000.