NFL Coach of the Year Winner & Opening Odds 2026: Vrabel Wins Over Macdonald
Mike Vrabel completed an astounding one-year turnaround of the New England Patriots. He closed atop the NFL Coach of the Year odds and ultimately won the award over Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald ahead of their meeting in the 2026 Super Bowl.
We expect the 2026-27 NFL Coach of the Year odds to be released a little later this offseason.
📊 Closing NFL Coach of the Year odds 2026
Closing NFL Coach of the Year odds via FanDuel Canada
| Coach | Odds | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Vrabel, Patriots | -270 | 72.97% | $3.70 |
| Mike Macdonald, Seahawks | +250 | 28.57% | $25 |
| Liam Coen, Jaguars | +1100 | 8.33% | $110 |
| Ben Johnson, Bears | +6000 | 1.64% | $600 |
| Kyle Shanahan, 49ers | +15000 | 0.66% | $1,500 |
| Sean Payton, Broncos | +20000 | 0.50% | $2000 |
👀 NFL Coach of the Year closing odds and splits (BetMGM)
- Most tickets: Mike Vrabel 12.9%
- Most money: Mike Vrabel 26.0%
- Biggest liability: Mike Vrabel
- Closing favorite: Mike Vrabel -370
🏆 NFL Coach of the Year finalists
Here are the finalists for the AP NFL Coach of the Year award, which will be handed out on Thursday, Feb. 5:
- Liam Coen
- Ben Johnson
- Mike Macdonald
- Kyle Shanahan
- Mike Vrabel
🗳️ NFL Coach of the Year voting
Winner: Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots): In his first year with the Patriots, Vrabel led them to a 14-3 record and a massive 10-game improvement from the previous season. The voting here was much tighter than the other awards.
| Coach | Team | First-Place Votes | Total Points |
| Mike Vrabel | Patriots | 19 | 302 |
| Liam Coen | Jaguars | 16 | 239 |
| Mike Macdonald | Seahawks | 8 | 191 |
| Ben Johnson | Bears | 1 | 145 |
| Kyle Shanahan | 49ers | 6 | 140 |
🔢 NFL Coach of the Year opening odds
Odds via DraftKings:
- Ben Johnson, Bears: +550
- Mike Vrabel, Patriots: +650 ✅
- Sean Payton, Broncos: +1400
- Jim Harbaugh, Chargers: +1500
- Pete Carroll, Raiders: +1500
- Dave Canales, Panthers: +1600
- Liam Coen, Jaguars: +1800
- Dan Campbell, Lions: +1800
- Shane Steichen, Colts: +2000
- Kyle Shanahan, 49ers: +2000
💰 NFL Coach of the Year betting history
| Year | Coach | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mike Vrabel | Patriots | +650 |
| 2024 | Kevin O'Connell | Vikings | +2000 |
| 2023 | Kevin Stefanski | Browns | +3000 |
| 2022 | Brian Daboll | Giants | +1400 |
| 2021 | Mike Vrabel | Titans | +2500 |
| 2020 | Kevin Stefanski | Browns | +2000 |
| 2019 | John Harbaugh | Ravens | +2800 |
| 2018 | Matt Nagy | Bears | +875 |
| 2017 | Sean McVay | Rams | +5000 |
| 2016 | Jason Garrett | Cowboys | +2800 |
| 2015 | Ron Rivera | Panthers | +4000 |
| 2014 | Bruce Arians | Cardinals | OFF |
❓NFL Coach of the Year FAQs
Who was favored to win NFL Coach of the Year?
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel closed as the front-runner ahead of winning the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Who was the NFL Coach of the Year last year?
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was named the NFL Coach of the Year.
Who votes for the NFL Coach of the Year?
The NFL Coach of the Year is voted on by the Associated Press and is awarded to the coach who is judged to "have had the most outstanding season."
Who won the NFL's first Coach of the Year Award?
Detroit Lions head coach George Wilson won the first Coach of the Year Award, handed out in 1957.
Who won the most Coach of the Year Awards?
Don Shula won Coach of the Year four times, three with the Baltimore Colts (1964, 1967, 1968) and one with the Miami Dolphins (1972).
How many coaches won Coach of the Year more than once?
Thirteen coaches won the award at least twice, with Shula (4), Bill Belichick (3), and Chuck Knox (3) the only bench bosses to win three or more.
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
