The San Francisco 49ers have low expectations in 2016, with question marks surrounding the talent pool and coaching staff. Chip Kelly was fired in Philadelphia after personality conflicts with the owner and front office. The 49ers snatched him up after they fired Jim Tomsula, hoping he can get them back to their playoff form of 2011-2013.
On Thursday, our friends at Bovada released odds for 2016 NFL Coach of the Year. They installed Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as co-favorites at 15/2. Mike McCarthy is next at 9/1, followed by Bill Belichick and Ron Rivera at 10/1. 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is a longer shot, installed at 50/1, side-by-side with Jay Gruden, Bill O’Brien, and Rex Ryan.
New Eagles head coach Doug Pederson got slightly better odds, at 33/1. My guess is the wide open NFC East means perception is that the Eagles could surprise and sneak out the division title. If they managed that, even with a 9-7 record, it could get Pederson the honor.
What would it take for Kelly to win coach of the year? Would a simple winning record do it given the low expectations? Or would it require a playoff berth?
Here are the full odds:
Bruce Arians 15/2
Mike Zimmer 15/2
Mike McCarthy 9/1
Bill Belichick 10/1
Ron Rivera 10/1
Pete Carroll 12/1
Andy Reid 12/1
Mike Tomlin 12/1
Gus Bradley 18/1
Jack Del Rio 18/1
Marvin Lewis 20/1
Todd Bowles 25/1
John Fox 25/1
Jason Garrett 33/1
Adam Gase 33/1
John Harbaugh 33/1
Gary Kubiak 33/1
Ben McAdoo 33/1
Chuck Pagano 33/1
Sean Payton 33/1
Doug Pederson 33/1
Jay Gruden 50/1
Chip Kelly 50/1
Bill O'Brien 50/1
Rex Ryan 50/1
Jim Caldwell 66/1
Jeff Fisher 66/1
Hue Jackson 66/1
Dirk Koetter 66/1
Mike McCoy 66/1
Mike Mularkey 66/1
Dan Quinn 66/1