Four weeks into the 2026 NFL season, the Coach of the Year conversation is beginning to take shape, with several head coaches drawing early recognition for the way their teams have opened the year.
Strong starts have put a number of clubs, staffs and players on the league’s early awards radar. But the first month is only a starting point in a race that will be decided by whether contenders can maintain their performance through the remainder of the schedule.
Monken’s Browns start draws attention
Todd Monken has made an immediate impression in his first season as Cleveland’s head coach. The Browns’ opening four games have placed him among the early coaching candidates receiving notice around the NFL.
The larger test for Monken and Cleveland will be sustaining that level over the coming months. A fast start can create momentum, but Coach of the Year contenders typically need to guide their teams through injuries, roster changes and tougher stretches later in the season.
With the 2026 campaign reaching its early-quarter mark, the coaching race remains wide open. The next phase will determine which early leaders can turn September success into a season-long case for the league’s top coaching honor.
