NFL Coach of the Year Betting Contenders 2025
The criteria for the NFL Coach of the Year Award is simple: the coach adjudged to have done the most outstanding job of working with the talent he has at his disposal in the league will win the accolade considered without peer.
Across the last five years, the award has been won by:
- 2020: Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
- 2021: Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans)
- 2022: Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
- 2023: Kevin Stefanski (2): (Cleveland Browns)
- 2024: Kevin O'Connell (Minnesota Vikings)
It’s a notoriously difficult trophy to win. We’ve earmarked some of the frontrunners for the NFL Coach of the Year betting market.
Shane Steichen @ 9/4
- Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Age: 40
- Odds: 9/4
- Previous Coach of the Year Awards: None
Given the start the Colts have made to the season, it’s hardly surprising to see Steichen top the early-season shortlist.
Unfancied by many in the lead-up to the season-opener, the Colts stunned observers by going 3-0 across the opening three gameweeks, scoring 103 points and conceding just 56. They’ve since advanced to 5-1.
He’s had a positive impact on the morale of his team’s roster, which was on the floor at points of his first couple of seasons at the helm. After finishing 9-8 and 8-9 in those two campaigns, there is a sense it is all starting to come together.
He will need his quarterback Daniel Jones to continue his stellar form. At the time of writing, Jones’ 104.4 passer rating is seventh-best in the entirety of the NFL.
If the Colts can go far, expect Steichen to be right in the mix for this award.
Liam Coen @ 6/1
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Age: 39
- Odds: 6/1
- Previous Coach of the Year Awards: None
Liam Coen may be a rookie head coach, but he’s highly rated.
Straight from the Sean McVay coaching tree, Coen sharpened his teeth as the quarterbacks coach at Brown in 2010, passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Rhode Island in 2011, and UMass head coach from 2014 among other roles.
Most recently, he was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He is most highly thought of for his offensive mindset. His job will be to get the best out of his enigmatic and prodigiously talented quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars have the skills to make it to the postseason. If they do, Coen will be in the running.
Ben Johnson @ 15/1
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Age: 39
- Odds: 15/1
- Previous Coach of the Year Awards: None
Regarded as a bright mind and a quick thinker, Ben Johnson is a favourite in this market because of his offensive outlook. With the likes of Caleb Williams, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze at his fingertips, it won’t take much for Johnson to come to the attention of onlookers.
If he could somehow coach an unfancied Bears team into the post-season, then Johnson has a real shot of landing the trophy at odds of 15/1.
At the time of writing, the Bears have started the season with a 3-2 record. Scoring hasn’t been the issue (they average 25.2 points per game) – keeping plays out has been the problem.
However, he has time on his side. Right now might be the best time to get Johnson at generous NFL coach of the year betting odds.
Jim Harbaugh @ 20/1
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Age: 61
- Odds: 20/1
- Previous Coach of the Year Awards: 1 (2011)
The elder brother of John Harbaugh, Jim knows what it’s like to guide a team to the Super Bowl. He’s done it already with the San Francisco 49ers, helping them all the way to XLVII before falling at the final hurdle to the Baltimore Ravens.
He’s known for his hard edge, and sometimes he can go too far. Despite guiding the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl, his era in southern California is not remembered fondly.
His belief in hard work is paying dividends so far this season, though. The Chargers are off to an impressive 4-2 start to the season.
If he can bring some success in less than two years at the Chargers, Harbaugh will be bolstering his reputation.
2025 NFL Coach of the Year Betting Outsiders
Brian Daboll (New York Giants) @ 40/1: He could coach one of the greatest comeback seasons in recent memory, after going 0-3 across their first three games – scoring more than ten points just once in that run. But with the exciting Jaxson Dart waiting in the wings to replace the ailing Russel Wilson at quarterback and a few wins to reach 2-4, perhaps a comeback is on.
Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs) @ 100/1: This is a man who does not need to bolster his reputation. One of the greatest to ever do it also has an all-star roster at his fingertips. However, 100/1 for Reid to make more headlines is hardly the worst price you’ll see this season.
Explore the rest of our NFL articles here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
