Jaguars' Doug Marrone for NFL Coach of the Year? That bet would pay off big at William Hill sportsbook

Are you an overly optimistic Jacksonville Jaguars fan heading into the 2020 season? Maybe Gardner Minshew is the next Patrick Mahomes and becomes the third straight second-year quarterback to win NFL MVP? Perhaps Leonard Fournette stays healthy? Possibly the defense becomes one of the NFL's best thanks to first-round picks CJ Henderson and K'Lavon Chaisson? Well, then a bet on Doug Marrone to be the NFL Coach of the Year would be worthwhile because he would return $7500 on a $100 wager as Marrone is the long shot on that prop at William Hill sportsbook.

It's much, much, much more likely that Marrone is the first NFL coach fired, and SportsLine NFL oddsmakers project him as the +350 second-favorite on that yet-to-be-released prop behind Detroit's Matt Patricia (+300).

The Jags reached the AFC Championship Game in Marrone's first full season in charge in 2017 and nearly upset the Patriots in New England to reach the first Super Bowl in franchise history – the Jags, Texans, Browns and Lions are the only teams to never play in a Super Bowl.

However, Jacksonville has looked undisciplined (most penalized team in league since 2018) and unprepared most times since and has regressed in a big way in going a combined 11-21 the past two years. Overall, Marrone is 22-28 in his regular-season career with the team (two games in 2016 as well).

It surprised many that owner Shad Khan brought back both Marrone and GM David Caldwell after last season. Following 2018, Khan promised another bad season wouldn't be tolerated. Jaguars fans were furious with Khan's decision. 

William Hill isn't confident the Jaguars will be very good this year, either, as they are +300 favorites to have the worst record in the league; although that could be a good thing as it could lead to the drafting of Trevor Lawrence. Certainly didn't help Marrone any that the Jags on Sunday traded their best defender, Yannick Ngakoue, to Minnesota and then Monday released running back and 2017 No. 4 overall pick Leonard Fournette, who didn't have to move far in signing with Tampa Bay.

Jacksonville doesn't project as a favorite in any game and Marrone could be in trouble as early as after Week 3 if the Jags are winless after losing at home on Sept. 24 against Miami. Owners prefer firing coaches during a bye if possible, and the Jags' bye is Week 7. Marrone has a respectable 41-40-1 career ATS record dating to his Bills head coaching days. 

Speculation is rampant the team is "Tanking for Trevor" -- i.e. to draft Trevor Lawrence. And maybe lure Clemson coach Dabo Swinney as well. 

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