PFT's 2023 NFL Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski

For the past few years, we have determined our awards based on the authors' contributions, and in the end you would truly make the final decision, even if it went against the weight of the other contributors to PFT. This year I respected the process of a full vote of all five PFT authors, even if it ran counter to my own judgment.

For most awards it didn't matter. In this case – and without revealing my personal ` Coach of the Year award – I'll just say that this could be the case.

Regardless, the internal voting process resulted in Browns coach Kevin Stefanski narrowly edging out Texans coach DeMeco Ryans for PFT Coach of the Year.

There are strong arguments for both coaches. Ryans did the unthinkable: He took a team that no one really believed would make the playoffs and won the AFC South. Stefanski's Browns entered 2023 as a wild card and Stefanski led them on a wild ride to the No. 5 seed.

The Browns have had five different starting quarterbacks this season. They lost quarterback Deshaun Watson first for a few games and then, after a stirring win in Baltimore, for the rest of the season to a shoulder injury. On Nov. 20, they signed Joe Flacco to the practice squad — and he led the Browns to 11 wins and fueled the passing game, which became more important after running back Nick Chubb suffered a torn ACL in Week 2.

It helped to have a dominant defense led by veteran coordinator Jim Schwartz. It was clear from Week 1 that the defense would be dominant. And it is. And Stefanski hired him.

On the road, the Browns defeated the Texans in Houston. But the Texans were without quarterback CJ Stroud for the game. When Cleveland returns to Houston for a wild-card game on Saturday, Stroud will play. The result could be different.

However, based on the regular season alone, Stefanski received just enough support to win the award, with Ryans being the clear No. 2 pick.

Other voters who received votes include 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Lions coach Dan Campbell, Bills coach Sean McDermott, Rams coach Sean McVay and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.