The Seattle Seahawks confected one of the more improbable and entertaining comeback wins of the season with their Thursday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams.
It was a huge Week 16 win, as it gives the Seahawks a clear path to the NFC's top seed and a potential first-round bye. With such a season, it would hardly be a surprise if Mike Macdonald received Coach of the Year buzz.
However, ESPN's Dan Graziano poured cold water on the Macdonald Coach of the Year buzz, as he emphasized how crowded a field it is, and how Macdonald isn't unique.
Why Mike Macdonald is not a lock for NFL honors this season
"Oh, Macdonald totally could win it." Graziano writes. "He is a worthy candidate, and giving him the award wouldn't be a surprise or a mistake. The problem is, you could say that about at least half a dozen other coaches this season."
When looking around the NFL at other top Coach of the Year candidates, it's evident that this is one of the more crowded fields in the league.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, Chicago Bears' Ben Johnson, Denver Broncos' Sean Payton, and Jacksonville Jaguars' Liam Coen are the top candidates outside of Macdonald.
Vrabel, Johnson, and Coen are all in their first season as head coaches with their respective teams, and all could land the top spot in their conference.
Payton is the best comparison for Macdonald, and both teams are 12-3 heading into Week 17. They each would have a strong case to earn the Coach of the Year honors, especially if they secure the first-round bye.
Those aren't the only head coaches who could earn the honor. The San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Shanahan and Los Angeles Chargers' Jim Harbaugh could also earn the honors with strong finishes to the 2025 season.
Macdonald has a strong case for the honor, but with all of the hype surrounding the Bears and Patriots, the Seattle head coach will have a tough task securing the votes needed to overcome the narratives surrounding those two teams.
With such a tight race, through Week 16, there's no telling who deserves to secure the award. Macdonald has a case, but things can drastically change in the final two weeks of the season.
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