The odds for the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year are live, with a few familiar faces in new places atop the board.
Sportsbooks have opened the market with Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson as the favorite. Take a peek at all the opening NFL Coach of the Year odds and my best bets.
NFL Coach of the Year Odds
| Coach | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ben Johnson (CHI) | +750 |
| Mike Vrabel (NE) | +850 |
| Jim Harbaugh (LAC) | +1000 |
| Liam Coen (JAX) | +1400 |
| Dave Canales (CAR) | +1400 |
| Pete Carroll (LV) | +1400 |
| Sean Payton (DEN) | +1500 |
| Aaron Glenn (NYJ) | +2000 |
| Dan Campbell (DET) | +2000 |
| Mike McDonald (SEA) | +2000 |
| Kyle Shanahan (SF) | +2200 |
| Dan Quinn (WAS) | +2500 |
| Sean McVay (LAR) | +2200 |
| Kellen Moore (NO) | +2500 |
| Raheem Morris (ATL) | +2500 |
| Matt LaFleur (GB) | +2500 |
| Brian Schottenheimer (DAL) | +2500 |
| Zac Taylor (CIN) | +2500 |
| Shane Steichen (IND) | +2800 |
| Jonathan Gannon (ARI) | +3000 |
| Brian Daboll (NYG) | +3000 |
| Mike McDaniel (MIA) | +3000 |
| Brian Callahan (TEN) | +3000 |
| Mike Tomlin (PIT) | +3000 |
Odds as of Feb.26
See Our Best NFL Betting Sites Here
NFL Coach Of The Year Best Bet
Aside from the betting favorites for the Coach of the Year award, there are several value plays on the board that could land you a huge payday. New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson sits atop the NFL Coach of the Year odds as he steps in to coach Caleb Williams. But, the real value lies further down the board.
Kevin O'Connell did a wonderful job of guiding Sam Darnold and his Vikings to a 14-3 record. The Vikings head coach ended up winning the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year award after opening at +2000 odds. Could another coach rise up to the odds board to do the same in 2025?
Jim Harbaugh +1000
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is a name that sticks out to me near the top of the NFL Coach of the Year odds board. Harbaugh is a value play at +1000 odds. The former NFL quarterback won the award way back in 2011 as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and has a reputation for coaxing the very best out of his players.
Many of Harbaugh's players in Los Angeles' pointed to the culture and energy he brings to the position. Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert's pre-game routine displays just how much the head honcho means to his star man after only a year in charge. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz enters the off-season with far more flexibility and cap room. Hortiz and his head honcho can jettison overpriced veterans and continue to build the team in their image.
Los Angeles finished Harbaugh's first season in charge at 11-6. If they can build on that, and challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown, Harbaugh will be in the NFL Coach of the Year conversation all year long. With a young, ascending roster, and Herbert guiding the offense, I'm backing Harbaugh to take home the NFL Coach of the Year award at +1000 odds.
NFL Coach Of The Year Betting Strategy
Since 1990, when Jimmy Johnson's Dallas Cowboys went 7-9 and he took home the NFL Coach of the Year award, no coach has won the award with fewer than 10 wins. Only three times since 2000 has a coach with fewer than 11 wins won.
That's as good a place to start as any when handicapping the NFL Coach of the Year award. Seven of the last eight coaches to win the award have been first-time winners. With Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns being the only coach to win twice in that time.
Unless a squad has a particularly dominant regular season such as the 15-1 2015 Carolina Panthers and Ron Rivera, or 2019 Baltimore Ravens and John Harbaugh, you'll want to target up-and-coming coaches. Look for the men who could defy expectations and lead a historically also-ran franchise into the postseason. Everybody loves a good underdog story, and nobody more than the NFL.
As far as NFL Coach of the Year betting trends, five of the last eight winners have been under the age of 50. While four of the last seven winners have been in their debut season with a new team. The award usually goes to a coach that has galvanized his squad through adversity or exceeded preseason expectations.
NFL Coach Of The Year Award History
| Year | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kevin O'Connell (MIN) | 14-3 |
| 2023 | Kevin Stefanski (CLE) | 11-6 |
| 2022 | Brian Daboll (NYG) | 9-7-1 |
| 2021 | Mike Vrabel (TEN) | 12-5 |
| 2020 | Kevin Stefanski (CLE) | 11-5 |
| 2019 | John Harbaugh (BAL) | 14-2 |
| 2018 | Matt Nagy (CHI) | 12-4 |
| 2017 | Sean McVay (LAR) | 11-5 |
| 2016 | Jason Garrett (DAL) | 13-3 |
| 2015 | Ron Rivera (CAR) | 15-1 |
Related News
Who is the favorite to win the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year award?
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is favored to win Coach of the Year, followed by Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants coach Brian Daboll.
