NFL Coach of the Year Odds, Predictions, and Picks 2025: Ben Johnson is Preseason Favorite, Mike Vrabel Not Far Behind

• Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings took home Coach of the Year honors in 2024

• After a successful stint as the offensive coordinator of the Lions, Ben Johnson is the preseason favorite to be NFL Coach of the Year in 2025 as the head coach of the Bears

• Mike Vrabel of the Patriots is projected to be Johnson’s biggest contender for Coach of the Year in 2025

Year after year, Coach of the Year is one of the most overlooked but intriguing awards in the NFL. It typically goes to the coach whose team overachieved the most, although a variety of factors also come into play. It’s normal to see wild swings among the favorites and top candidates for the award throughout the season. That’s why we’ll be keeping close tabs on the NFL Coach of the Year race all season, offering updated odds and our pick for who is the most likely to take home the award.

NFL Coach of the Year Odds

The odds for Coach of the Year are from FanDuel Sportsbook. Click on the odds below to go directly to FanDuel and place your bets. When you sign up with FanDuel for the first time, you'll receive the following welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

NFL Coach of the Year Predictions

As one of the most coveted coordinators in the NFL through the last couple of coaching cycles, it’s no surprise that Ben Johnson is the preseason favorite for Coach of the Year. The Bears have high expectations for this season despite a 5-12 record in 2024. If Johnson can work his magic with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and improve Chicago’s record enough to make the playoffs, he’ll have a strong case for Coach of the Year.

Of course, Mike Vrabel is almost a co-favorite based on the preseason betting odds. Vrabel arguably has the tougher job, as he also has a second-year quarterback in New England and takes over a team coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons. While expectations for the Patriots are modest, Vrabel has the benefit of past head coaching experience. He was also the 2021 Coach of the Year, so he’s a proven commodity with regard to getting the most out of his players.

Naturally, there are a few sleeper picks worth mentioning. After all, Kevin O’Connell wasn’t on the Coach of the Year radar this time last year. Liam Coen of the Jaguars has surprisingly short odds. Optimism is growing around Aaron Glenn and the Jets heading into the preseason. Pete Carroll is also a name to watch because of his track record, although making the Raiders relevant in the AFC West will be much harder than it looks. A deep sleeper to watch is Brian Daboll, who doesn’t fall among the top-10 candidates right now. But if he can get the quarterback situation settled, the Giants could be a surprise team in 2025, earning Daboll Coach of the Year consideration.

Bet $5 at FanDuel, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins

NFL Coach of the Year Winner - My Pick

Mike Vrabel - New England Patriots (+750) at FanDuel

Vrabel has all of the ingredients that Coach of the Year winners tend to have. He’s coaching a team that was terrible last season. He’s coaching a team that has low expectations for this season. Yet, nobody should doubt Vrabel’s track record as a coach, as he took the Titans to the playoffs in three straight seasons with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback. The task in New England is extraordinary, but other than Carroll, nobody with a realistic chance to win Coach of the Year has a resume that can measure up to what Vrabel has accomplished.

Get $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel With a $5 Winning Wager

How to Bet on NFL Coach of the Year

With 32 potential candidates, betting on the NFL Coach of the Year challenge. To be clear, this award is rarely given to the best coach. For example, Mike Tomlin, who has had a truly impressive career, has never won Coach of the Year honors. Instead, the award often goes to the coach whose team was the biggest surprise or exceeded expectations the most. More times than not, that’s the top criterion voters use for awarding Coach of the Year. 

When betting on the Coach of the Year, find a coach who is surpassing modest preseason expectations. Look for coaches who have overcome an obvious flaw or challenge. Is there a coach winning with a subpar quarterback? Has a coach led his team to a lot of wins despite a lot of injuries? In a way, picking a Coach of the Year winner is about comparing expectations to reality and finding a coach who has succeeded despite having reasons why people would have discounted their team. 

How to Read NFL Coach of the Year Odds

Since there are typically several contenders for Coach of the Year, unless there is an obvious favorite, most candidates will have plus (+) betting odds. This means there is the potential to earn a large profit if you bet correctly. For instance, betting $100 on a coach with +800 odds will mean a profit of $800 if that coach ends up winning. However, late in the season, the pool of contenders could shrink, resulting in less lucrative odds for the top candidates. For instance, the leading favorite may have -200 odds, meaning it would take a $200 bet to earn a $100 profit.

Where to Bet on NFL Coach of the Year

Most reputable sportsbooks offer NFL Coach of the Year odds throughout the season, and even during the offseason. This includes FanDuel Sportsbook, which is among the NFL’s official betting partners. FanDuel offers a wide range of betting markets for NFL games, as well as markets for long-term bets, including awards like Coach of the Year.

If you don’t have a FanDuel account already, it’s easy to sign up for one. Plus, new customers are eligible for FanDuel’s welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. There is no promo code required for this offer. All you have to do is sign up and make a $5 bet you think will win.

NFL Coach of the Year History

The AP NFL Coach of the Year award has been given out every season since 1957. George Wilson of the Detroit Lions was the inaugural winner that season. To date, 15 coaches who have won the award were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Past NFL Coach of the Year Winners