The 2025 NFL season has been one of the best in recent history. With rivalries being reborn, intense games, and storylines that many fans did not expect, the NFL feels more competitive than ever. With every season, there are teams that surprise all of football and exceed expectations given to them during the preseason. Every year, new coaches join new teams, whether they are highly sought-after coordinators, head coaches who didn’t work out with their prior team, or proven coaches who demonstrate why they are among the best in football. However, only one coach can be crowned as the NFL Coach of the Year, and this year might be the closest race in NFL history.
There are many coaches in the NFL with a fair argument for the award; however, the coaches listed are the coaches I believe to be at the top of the race. I will be breaking down each argument for each one of these coaches and then discussing why they should not be considered over the other candidates.
*The order of the coaches is not what I believe to be the current ranking of these coaches for the Coach of the Year award.*
Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson worked under Dan Campbell in Detroit and became the offensive coordinator in 2022. He and the rest of the coaching staff in Detroit helped turn around one of the worst franchises in sports. Detroit hit its peak in 2024, finishing the season 15-2; however, it would fall to the Washington Commanders in the postseason.
Johnson would sign a 5-year/$65 million contract with the Chicago Bears, giving hope for a franchise heading in the wrong direction. Fans were skeptical, not knowing if he would transition to being a good coach and if he would coach former No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Caleb Williams. All doubt of Ben Johnson in Chicago has been thrown out the window, and the city of Chicago is loving every second of it.
The Chicago Bears have clinched an NFC North title for the first time since 2018 and are one of the top teams in football. Chicago’s offense has been the catalyst for their success, and under Ben Johnson, they have turned into one of the best units in all of football. The most impressive part of Ben Johnson’s short tenure in Chicago has been the ability to win close, which is something Chicago has not felt in years.
Other coaches on this list will finish with better overall team records, but I believe Ben Johnson has the best storyline of any candidate. Johnson has changed the culture in Chicago and has transformed a franchise on the brink of becoming an absolute laughing stock. After finishing 5-12 just a season prior, Johnson has completely changed the trajectory of the Chicago Bears and is well ahead of schedule, finishing the season with an 11-6 record.
Johnson’s flaw could be the scheduling the circumstances Chicago has won. Some will call it luck, and others will say that if Chicago played fully healthy rosters, their success would not be the same. Johnson may have the best storyline, but does he and the Chicago Bears have the best resume? Time will tell, but Johnson is currently third in betting odds for the award at +1800 (according to BetMGM) and has a great case to win the Coach of the Year award.
Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel became the head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2018 and would become one of the best coaches in football. He is the only candidate on this list who has previously won the Coach of the Year award, winning in 2021. During his tenure in Tennessee, they would become one of the best teams in the AFC, even making the AFC Championship game in 2019 and finishing the 2021 season as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
After a rough season in 2023, Vrabel would be relieved of his duties and would not find his next head coach position until 2025. Vrabel would sign a multi-year contract with the New England Patriots. This is special for many reasons, specifically New England being the team that Vrabel would win a Super Bowl with during his NFL playing days.
New England finished the 2024 season with a 4-13 record as one of the worst teams in the NFL; however, 2025 has been a different story. The New England Patriots have won the AFC East for the first time since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were leading New England in 2019.
After a horrible season in 2024, many expected a similar result for the New England Patriots in 2025. They have completely flipped the script in the AFC and are contending for a Super Bowl after a five-year rebuilding period. With the history of the franchise, a former player at the helm, and one of the best quarterbacks in football, the New England Patriots have had one of the best storylines in football. The New England Patriots finished the 2025 season as the No. 2 seed in the AFC at 14-3, and this makes the case for Vrabel winning much higher.
New England has been great this season; however, they have a similar issue as Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears: a favorable schedule. New England has only played three teams with a record above .500 (two games against the Buffalo Bills), and they are 2-2 in those matchups. Even with the favorable schedule, Mike Vrabel is the betting favorite to win the award at -285 and should be considered as one of the top candidates to win the Coach of the Year award.
Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks
Mike Macdonald became the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 after holding the same position at the University of Michigan a year prior. Macdonald had been with Baltimore in the past, working his way up the coaching tree until making his way as the defensive coordinator. Macdonald transformed Baltimore’s defense into one of the best in the NFL and would become a heavily sought-after head coach.
Macdonald would take his talents to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2024 off-season, and his first season was what most people expected: mediocre. However, big moves would be made the following off-season, and they have made Seattle a completely different team during the 2025 season.
Heading into the season, most people expected the Seattle Seahawks to finish in a similar fashion to 2024. Luckily for Seattle fans, they have become one of the best teams in football, finishing the season at 14-3 and as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Macdonald’s storyline is not as memorable as Ben Johnson’s or Mike Vrabel’s; however, Seattle’s success is just as surprising as the other teams mentioned. With the signing of Sam Darnold and the hiring of Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s offensive success was questioned, but their defense showed how special they could be in 2024. With the combination of those two units playing incredible football, Mike Macdonald has put the NFL on notice. Macdonald became the best team in the NFC in arguably the toughest division in football, and he absolutely deserves to be in the conversation for the award.
As I mentioned earlier, Macdonald just doesn’t have the “feel-good” story like some of the other coaches in the race. Yes, Seattle has surprised a lot of people, but Seattle had a solid team for him when he was hired. With established talent, Macdonald has had an easier path to creating a successful team this season. He is currently second in betting odds at +300 and has made this race one of the closest in NFL history.
The Final Case for Coach of the Year
The 2025 regular season has come to an end, and this has been one of the most exciting years in NFL history. With a close MVP race and new faces leading the NFL, the league is in good hands. The biggest change for the NFL is the importance of a great head coach and how it separates the good teams from the great ones. This year, I believe there are many coaches who are deserving of the Coach of the Year; however, I have picked the top three coaches in betting odds and will break down their cases for the award.
Two of these coaches are the new wave of young head coaches getting their first chance, and the other is an established, successful head coach making his way to his former team. With such great storylines, this is the most difficult award the NFL will be handing out this season.
The culture change in Chicago has been incredible to watch. The Ben Johnson effect is real, and the Chicago Bears have been looking for somebody to change their franchise for decades. However, my pick for the award is Mike Macdonald. He has transformed the Seattle defense, and they have become one of the best teams in all of football. Even though the New England Patriots’ success is surprising, Mike Vrabel has been an established coach who has won the award in his coaching career. Regardless of who wins the Coach of the Year award, the NFL is in good hands for years to come.
*If you are interested in other NFL content, read our latest NFL article about the historic rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
