NFL Coach of the Year odds for the new season are out. John Harbaugh is the early favorite to win the award at BetMGM, although prices may vary at other NFL betting sites. Futures wagers on the NFL Coach of the Year winner are available to place at any time and a complete list of odds is below.
Latest NFL Coach of the Year odds for 2026
All odds below are according to BetMGM Sportsbook:
- John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) +500
- Jesse Minter (Los Angeles Chargers) +600
- Robert Saleh (New York Jets) +1000
- Kellen Moore (Philadelphia Eagles) +1000
- Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills) +1100
- Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys) +1400
- Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns) +1400
- Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys) +1500
- Todd Monken (Baltimore Ravens) +1600
- Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) +1800
2026-27 NFL Coach of the Year favorites
John Harbaugh (+500 at BetMGM)
John Harbaugh enters the 2026 NFL season as a notable name in Coach of the Year futures markets, with sportsbooks placing him among the contenders. After 18 seasons as an NFL head coach and a Super Bowl victory following the 2012 season, Harbaugh brings an extensive record of experience and success to his new role with the New York Giants.
Harbaugh most recently coached the Baltimore Ravens, who finished 8–9 and missed the playoffs in 2025. Despite that disappointing campaign, his history of sustained regular-season success and postseason experience continues to shape his profile in the Coach of the Year conversation. His performance with the Giants in 2026 will be a key factor in determining how his candidacy develops throughout the season.
Jesse Minter (+600 at BetMGM)
Jesse Minter has quickly entered the Coach of the Year conversation as one of the league’s rising head coaches. After building a reputation as a top defensive mind and earning his opportunity on the NFL sideline, expectations are high that he can elevate his team into playoff contention.
Robert Saleh (+1000 at BetMGM)
Robert Saleh has emerged as an intriguing Coach of the Year candidate following his appointment as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Widely regarded for his defensive acumen and leadership, Saleh will have an opportunity to reshape the franchise. If the Titans outperform expectations and show meaningful progress throughout the season, he could become a strong contender for the award.
First-year coaches — is there a connection?
Since 2016, a first-year head coach has won the award four times. Seven teams hired new head coaches this offseason with no previous NFL head coaching experience:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Liam Coen (+750)
- Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson (+1100)
- Dallas Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer (+10000)
- New Orleans Saints: Kellen Moore (+50000)
- New York Jets: Aaron Glenn (+50000)
The NFL Coach of the Year market is one of the most intriguing preseason betting opportunities, with several coaches generating early buzz based on offseason expectations and team outlooks. First-year head coaches often attract attention, especially when they inherit talented rosters capable of making a quick leap into playoff contention. Established coaches leading improving teams can also emerge as strong contenders.
Historically, Coach of the Year voters have favored candidates who engineer dramatic year-over-year turnarounds rather than coaches who simply meet lofty expectations. Because of that, bettors often focus on teams projected to exceed their preseason win totals, making roster upgrades, quarterback development, and favorable schedules key factors to monitor throughout the season.
More NFL betting options
We have other options when it comes to betting on NFL futures. Check out some of our other pages below.
Breaking down previous NFL Coach of the Year winners
The table below lists the past decade of NFL Coach of the Year award winners.
| Season | Coach | Team | Record | Previous Year |
| 2024 | Kevin O’Connell | Minnesota Vikings | 14-3 | 7-10 |
| 2023 | Kevin Stefanski | Cleveland Browns | 11-6 | 7-10 |
| 2022 | Brian Daboll | New York Giants | 9-7-1 | 4-13 |
| 2021 | Mike Vrabel | Tennessee Titans | 12-5 | 11-5 |
| 2020 | Kevin Stefanski | Cleveland Browns | 11-5 | 6-10 |
| 2019 | John Harbaugh | Baltimore Ravens | 14-2 | 10-6 |
| 2018 | Matt Nagy | Chicago Bears | 12-4 | 5-11 |
| 2017 | Sean McVay | Los Angeles Rams | 11-5 | 4-12 |
| 2016 | Jason Garrett | Dallas Cowboys | 13-3 | 4-12 |
| 2015 | Ron Rivera | Carolina Panthers | 15-1 | 7-8-1 |
Nine of the last 10 winners improved their team’s record by four or more wins from the previous season, highlighted by a massive seven-win increase from 2023 to 2024 for Kevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings.
Four of the winners won the award in their first season with their new team, with Daboll the last to pull it off in 2022. Kevin Stefanski, the 2023 winner, has won twice during his tenure, including his first season in Cleveland in 2020.
NFL Coach of the Year FAQ
The NFL Coach of the Year award is voted on by a panel of 50 sports journalists from across the US. Voters make three selections, with the choices receiving points on a sliding scale of 5-3-1. The nominee with the highest tally of total points wins the award.
Don Shula holds the record with four Coach of the Year awards. Bill Belichick and Chuck Knox are next with three each.
Yes, this has happened three times. Joe Gibbs was the last to win it two years in a row in 1982-83. Allie Sherman (1961-62) and Don Shula (co-winner with George Halas in 1967, lone winner in 1968) are the other two members of the club.