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While most of the attention is often centered around the league’s players, it is the coaches who often get the blame for poor team performances. This article highlights the NFL Coach of the Year race, an award that celebrates the league’s best coach, as well as odds on the first NFL head coach to be fired this season. Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson lead the COTY shortlist, while Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll find themselves on the hot seat. Continue reading for an expert NFL Coach of the Year betting guide and explore stats to make NFL season awards predictions.
- National Football League regular season
- 32 head coaches to begin the season
- Final week ends January 4, 2026
- Broadcast on CBS, ESPN, NFL Network, FOX, and more
2025-26 NFL Coach of the Year Betting Odds
Chicago’s Ben Johnson leads the race according to top online sportsbooks at (+700). New England’s Mike Vrabel is right up there too at (+800). Other candidates for NFL Coach of the Year include Jacksonville’s Liam Coen (+1000), Arizona’s Jonathan Gannon (+1400), Carolina’s Dave Canales (+1400), the Jets’ Aaron Glenn (+1400), and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan (+1600).
Coach of the Year 
Ben Johnson +700 +650 +700 Mike Vrabel +800 +700 +600 Liam Coen +1000 +1000 +1000 Jonathan Gannon +1000 +1000 +1400 Mike McDonald +1200 +1200 +2200 Pete Carroll +1400 +1400 +2000 Dave Canales +1400 +1400 +1200 Aaron Glenn +1400 +1400 +900 Kyle Shanahan +1600 +1600 +1600 Sean Payton +2200 +1600 +2600 Dan Campbell +2200 +2200 +2200 Brian Callahan +2200 +2400 +1600 Raheem Morris +2800 +3000 +1400
Want to better understand the NFL betting market? Explore top NFL football betting sites in 2025 and our guide on best football odds.
Mike Vrabel Well-Received Before First Year in New England
Former New England Patriots player Mike Vrabel returns to Foxborough for the first time since 2008 in a professional capacity. Now playing the role of head coach, Vrabel has been well-received by fans and players alike as he attempts to rebuild the team. Last year’s squad under the tutelage of Jerod Mayo finished with just 4 wins.
The win total for New England has slowly climbed after a widely-commended offseason. The Patriots were hailed as one of the biggest winners in the draft only to continue to stockpile talent in free agency. Notably, Stefon Diggs arrived in New England over the summer hoping to become Drake Maye’s go-to target. After opening at 6.5, the Patriots’ win total is now up to 8.5.
If bettors like New England’s chances of finishing with a winning record, it may be more prudent to take a shot on Mike Vrabel to earn Coach of the Year honors. A winning season would likely put New England near a playoff spot and more than double their win total from a year ago. At (+800), I think the price is much more valuable than backing a 50/50 payout in the win total market, especially considering their ceiling is lower than most.
High Hopes for Chicago Bears with Ben Johnson
A successful tenure as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions earned Ben Johnson a promotion this summer. The lauded OC might have ruffled some feathers by staying in-division as he departed for Chicago. During his three seasons in Detroit, the Lions led the NFL in scoring with an average of 28.2 points per game. Can Johnson work his magic with second-year QB Caleb Williams?
Williams had an inconsistent rookie season while dealing with a subpar offensive line. Now with most of the interior rehauled for 2025, there will be less excuses for Williams. Chicago also invested heavily on offensive weaponry on the first two nights of the draft, picking up a tight end and a receiver in the first two rounds.
The trickiest part for Johnson will be the schedule. Chicago plays in the NFC North, a division that sent three teams to the playoffs last year. After going 5-12 in 2024, a winning record would be a significant improvement. The Bears sit in a similar situation as the Patriots, with a win total currently set at 8.5. My previous advice still applies, as well. If you like Chicago to have a good season, why not bet on Ben Johnson to win Coach of the Year? The odds will be much less than (+700) if Chicago goes 9-8 or better.
Who will be the First NFL Head Coach Fired?
While coaches are eligible for awards just like players, they also face accountability if things go awry. Some coaches are given longer leashes based on tenure, like Andy Reid, Mike Tomlin, Kyle Shanahan, and Nick Sirianni. Others should have at least the full season to give things a go if they’re new to the team. But some coaches are already under close scrutiny for past failures and are already fighting for their job security.
As those coaches stress daily about their careers, we get to bet on their futures with a devil-may-care attitude. Both BetOnline and BetUS offer odds on the first NFL head coach to be fired in 2025. Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins tops the list at just (+200), making him the clear favorite.
Unsurprisingly, Brian Daboll of the New York Giants is second on the list at (+400). These two are heads-and-shoulders above the rest of the pack and face a real chance of being fired midseason. McDaniel was once the wunderkind of the NFL coaching carousel but has now lost his luster. It doesn’t help that QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking like a dud, Tyreek Hill wants a trade, Jonnu Smith wants a raise, and Jalen Ramsey will likely get dealt before the deadline.
Daboll, meanwhile, has managed to keep his position despite going 3-14 last year, including a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. A surprising playoff run with Daniel Jones in his first year in New York has probably earned him a final chance. What could further extend his time in the Big Apple is the development of first-round draft selection QB Jaxson Dart. If Dart shows promise this season as a rookie, it’s possible the Giants’ front office elects to maintain QB-HC continuity.
Odds are accurate at time of writing but subject to change.
Top Sportsbooks for NFL Season Awards
Explore some of the best offshore sportsbooks below. Each website is reviewed by My Top Sportsbooks for user experience, customer service, new member promos, and more.
