NFL Coach of the Year Odds 2025-26: Three Recent Hires the Early Favorites

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is the early NFL Coach of the Year odds favorite, with the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator trading ahead of two other recent hires.
NFL Coach of the Year Odds & Favorites
Pictured: NFL Coach of the Year Odds Favorite Ben Johnson walks the field during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks via Imagn Images

Our best sports betting sites expect recent hires to pull the right strings this season as Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, and Liam Coen lead the NFL Coach of the Year odds ahead of their first year in charge of their respective teams. 

The Chicago Bears' Johnson is the favorite, trading just ahead of the New England Patriots' new coach, Vrabel. Johnson gained the respect and admiration of coaches and players alike during his time as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. 

He has lofty expectations to live up to as a first-time head coach, particularly in terms of eliciting the best from Caleb Williams. 

🔢 NFL Coach of the Year odds 2025

NFL Coach of the Year odds via FanDuel, one of our best NFL betting apps.

Coach Odds (FanDuel) Implied probability Profit ($10 bet)
Ben Johnson +650 13.33% $65
Mike Vrabel +750 11.76% $75
Liam Coen +1000 9.09% $100
Aaron Glenn +1000 9.09% $100
Mike Macdonald +1300 7.14% $130
Pete Carroll +1400 6.67% $140
Dave Canales +1400 6.67% $140
Kyle Shanahan +2000 4.76% $200
Jim Harbaugh +2000 4.76% $200
Jonathan Gannon +2000 4.76% $200

👀 NFL Coach of the Year betting insights

We've received some offseason betting insights for the NFL Coach of the Year award from BetMGM

  • Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (+650 via BetMGM) has the highest ticket percentage (13.6%)
  • Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has the highest handle (12.2%)
  • Johnson is the sportsbook's biggest liability

🏈 NFL Coach of the Year prediction & best bet

NFL Coach of the Year Odds & Favorites 
Pictured: Pete Carroll, among the NFL Coach of the Year odds contenders, looks on during Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp. Photo by Candice Ward via Imagn Images

Pete Carroll: +1400 via FanDuel 

Exclusive: Up to $2,500 No Sweat First Bet

New customers only. Min. first deposit and wager of $500+. Standard offer (bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets) available. Can only claim 1 offer. T&Cs apply. Not valid in NY or IL. 

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.


Carroll has never held Coach of the Year honors. While that's true of many coaches, the former Seattle Seahawks leader could flourish with a new lease on life in Sin City. He's got some of the components to make a solid run of it, including an efficient and confident quarterback he's highly familiar with in Geno Smith. 

Other offensive weapons like sophomore Brock Bowers and Offensive Rookie of the Year odds favorite Ashton Jeanty could help turn the Las Vegas Raiders around. 

Maxx Crosby will be hellbent on having a bounce-back year, which could pave the path for Carroll to raise some eyebrows.

It helps that he's taken over a 3-14 bottom-feeding team. Conversely, playing in one of the league's toughest divisions might make the task at hand more challenging.  

🗠 NFL Coach of the Year opening odds

NFL Coach of the Year opening odds via DraftKings on March 3.

  • 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

📜 NFL Coach of the Year betting history

Year Coach Team Preseason odds
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 is favored to win NFL Coach of the Year?

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is the favorite with odds of +650. Those odds carry an implied probability of 13.33%.

Who was the NFL Coach of the Year last year?

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was named the NFL's Coach of the Year after entering the season with odds of +2000.

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. 

🏟️ NFL betting odds pages

💵 Best NFL betting sites

Ready to bet on the NFL this season? Check out our best NFL betting sites and the best sportsbook promos for the NFL season:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.