Early NFL Coach of the Year Odds 2026

Coach of the Year Odds

The NFL Coach of the Year award is not won by having the best team in the NFL. It’s quite unique in that it looks at the coaches who have overcome mounting odds and expectations, and which NFL coach deserves the award, given their circumstances. 

Each NFL season produces breakout teams, unexpected contenders, and dramatic turnarounds. At the center of many of those stories is the head coach, guiding the roster through adversity and shaping the team’s identity.

The NFL Coach of the Year award exists to recognize that impact. Most sportsbooks or casino online sites are now offering these odds for those who are looking to get in and the best long shot. 

The following are the early odds for the coach of the year award for the NFL 2026-2027 season. 

• John Harbaugh (Giants) +550
• Jesse Minter (Ravens) +650
• Joe Brady (Bills) +1100
• Robert Saleh (Titans) +1100
• Kellen Moore (Saints) +1200
• Mike McCarthy (Steelers) +1400
• Kevin Stefanski (Falcons) +1400
• Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys) +1400
• Jim Harbaugh (Chargers) +1800
• Todd Monken (Browns) +2000
• Klint Kubiak (Raiders) +2000
• Ben Johnson (Bears) +2200
• Aaron Glenn (Jets) +2500
• Matt LaFleur (Packers) +2500
• Dan Campbell (Lions) +2500
• Shane Steichen (Colts) +2500
• Jeff Hafley (Dolphins) +3000
• Kevin O’Connell (Vikings) +3000
• Matt LaFleur (Packers) +3300
• Rest of the NFL +4000

My Picks & Thoughts

My goal when picking a favorite is to narrow down the coach who had the worst record last year, but has a chance to turn things around this season. I feel there is added weight on teams that were terrible the year before and respond with a playoff Wild Card game.

John Harbaugh is the heavy favorite based on his coaching history and the roster he’s walking into. The Giants have a very young group of talented players that could easily right the ship and be in for a great season.

However, I think I like Kellen Moore’s chances. The Saints really played great down the stretch and have made some solid moves in the offseason. If they have a great draft, Moore could move higher up the board. The NFC South isn’t a powerhouse, and was (arguably) the softest division of last season. With a strong showing and a division win led by QB Tyler Shough, I think the chances are pretty good. 

Past Winners

Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, won the 2024-25 Coach of the Year award. 

2024-25 – Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings)
2023-24 – Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
2022-23 – Brian Daboll (N.Y. Giants)
2021-22 – Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans)
2020-21 – Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
2019-20 – John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens)
2018-19 – Matt Nagy (Chicago Bears)
2017-18 – Sean McVay (L.A. Rams)
2016-17 – Jason Garrett (Dallas Cowboys)
2015-16 – Ron Rivera (Carolina Panthers)
2014-15 – Bruce Arians (Arizona Cardinals)
2013-14 – Ron Rivera (Carolina Panthers)
2012-13 – Bruce Arians (Indianapolis Colts)
2011-12 – Jim Harbaugh (San Francisco 49ers)

Presented annually by the Associated Press, the honor is widely viewed as the league’s top recognition for coaching performance during the regular season. A panel of 50 national media members votes on the award before the playoffs begin, evaluating the season as a whole rather than postseason success. The winner is announced during the NFL Honors ceremony following the conclusion of the regular season.

Unlike awards built on statistics, Coach of the Year is largely driven by context. Voters often weigh how dramatically a team improved, whether expectations were exceeded, and how effectively a coach navigated injuries, roster changes, or a difficult schedule. The award frequently highlights the architect of the season’s biggest surprise.

History shows that the honor rarely goes to the coach of the most talented roster. Instead, it often belongs to the leader who transformed a struggling franchise into a contender or pushed a projected mid-tier team into the playoffs. Rapid turnarounds and breakout seasons have long shaped the voting patterns.

The list of winners reflects that philosophy. Legendary figures such as Don Shula, Bill Belichick, and Chuck Knox have taken home the award multiple times, while newer coaches have captured it after delivering dramatic single-season improvements.

Every year, the race sparks debate across the league. Is the award meant to recognize pure coaching excellence, or the coach whose team defied expectations the most? Understanding that tension is key to understanding how the NFL Coach of the Year award is decided.