Colts’ Shane Steichen Excluded from Award Race
Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen is not among the nominees for NFL Coach of the Year.
The Indianapolis Colts enter 2023 with a new vision and culture change after the team’s dismal season last season. This new feel is largely due to new director Shane Steichen breathing new life into the franchise.
After many struggles following his first season in Indy, Steichen still managed an impressive 9-8 record, with many expecting five or six wins. Also gone is quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Florida product is a rookie to learn from, but with a savvy QB coach like Steichen as a mentor, he’s ready to overcome his doubts. Unfortunately, backup Gardner Minshew led the dance throughout the season, making the winning record even more impressive. With this team on the verge of winning the AFC South, Steichen should be a finalist for Coach of the Year. But that was not the case for Steichen as he was not selected for any of the final five spots.
Below are the coaches and recent regular season records.
Dan Campbell | Detroit Lions (12-5)
John Harbaugh Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Demeco Lyons | Houston Texans (10-7)
Kyle Shanahan | San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Kevin Stefanski | Cleveland Browns (11-6)
The upside of names like Campbell, Harbaugh and Ryans is notable, but Shanahan and Stefanski are questionable. Shanahan’s 49ers had one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. In addition, there were near names like quarterback Brock Purdy (16 games), Christian McCaffrey (16 games), wide receivers Brandon Ayuk (16 games), George Kittle (16 games) and defensive end Nick Bosa (17 games). Outdoors all season. I’m not saying Shanahan isn’t a solid coach. Because he is one of the best coaches the league has to offer. But he also has access to a top roster where key players are nearly 100 percent healthy. Additionally, the 49ers’ offensive and defensive fronts are disgustingly good.
Browns coach Stefanski has more controversy than Shanahan. What’s next for the Colts? Don’t miss any news or analysis! Take a moment to sign up for our free newsletter and get Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!
Stefanski brutally lost Nick Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson at the beginning of the campaign. But where Stefanski lacks as a finalist is with his ruthless defense and, despite injuries, a very effective offensive line. For several weeks, Cleveland had its best defense with world-class defensive pass rusher Myles Garrett (who finished with 14 sacks) and top cornerback Denzel Ward. Yes, they made the playoffs with Joe Flacco as a passenger. But this was a better and deeper list than the injuries shown. It’s hard to argue against any of these five coaches, but it’s a stretch to say Steichen isn’t a finalist given all the roster situations he’s faced in his first year on the job. If the Colts beat the Texans in Week 18, win the AFC South and advance to the postseason, Steichen could be a finalist to replace Stefanski or Shanahan. Campbell could take the crown because the Detroit Lions struggled as a franchise for decades until his electric style lit up the city and the team.
in short
It was a year where coaches around the league benefited greatly from fewer teams dealing with injuries. This is especially true for the most important position in the game: quarterback.
But Steichen did it with one of the greenest and youngest rosters in the NFL. There was a new coach and no key contributors like running back Jonathan Taylor and tackle Braden Smith. For a few weeks or, in some cases, the entire 2023 season. Like Richardson. Or tight end Jelani Woods. Steichen hopes to keep the entire roster healthy as he enters his second year. This will help the Indy team reach their full potential as they are still one of the younger teams in the league.
