Shane Steichen of the Colts should win NFL Coach of the Year.

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Note that Coach of the Year is awarded to a coach whose team exceeds expectations, not the NFL's greatest coach. Brian Daboll and Mike Vrabel, recent champions, found ways to make the playoffs with weak rosters. This makes Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen a strong candidate for the prize.

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Consider what the Colts have overcome this season. They compete with the Jaguars and Texans, lost star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to a season-ending injury, Jonathan Taylor has been in and out of the lineup, and released longstanding linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

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Other prospects are strong. The playoffs include DeMeco Ryans' Texans, formerly the weakest in the NFL. Dolphins under Mike McDaniel improved. Kevin O'Connell's Vikings have overcome an expected drop after last season's 13-4 record. Sean Payton's first season started 1-5, but the Broncos are back in the playoffs.

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Like them, Steichen deserves consideration. After acquiring Gardner Minshew to back up Richardson, Indianapolis had a good quarterback who could win games in a house money season. After beating the Titans on Sunday, the Colts improved to 5-3 with Minshew as their starter.

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Steichen has quickly established structure and culture. “We’re very gritty,” Minshew remarked post-game. “We’ll manage. It may not be glamorous, but it's good.”

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Culture may lead to success, but this sport is largely about the product on the field. Steichen has done well leading Indianapolis' offense for two very different quarterbacks in Richardson and Minshew, and the scheme has supported a rebuilding squad.

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Minshew ranks 19th in predicted points added per play (0.015) and 23rd in success rate (43.7%) on RBSDM.com. Not terrific, but not awful for a backup quarterback to operate at a slightly below average level. Steichen limited Minshew's offensive damage.

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