NFL Coach of the Year race
Aside from the MVP — and perhaps even surpassing the MVP conversation — this season’s Coach of The Year ballots are going to be very interesting. There’s a field of four head coaches (maybe five) that I think could win the award this year. Here’s what that group looks like:
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
In his first season, Coen has transformed the Jaguars’ offense into a balanced and complementary unit that can hurt teams with the run and pass. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has also seemingly turned a significant corner in Coen’s scheme — particularly in his last four games, with the capper being Sunday’s symphonic road win over the Denver Broncos. Coming off a 4-13 season in 2024, the Jaguars are in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, have multiple wins over teams that will be in the playoffs, and have a superb coaching staff. Coen has checked more than enough boxes to give anyone a run for COY honors.
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
Like Coen, Johnson has also transformed the Bears’ offense into a more balanced team, while stubbornly bringing along the development of quarterback Caleb Williams. Also like Coen, he’s doing it in his first season. But Johnson has remarkably vaulted from a 5-12 basement to the top of a savage NFC North in the process, putting the Bears in contention for the NFC’s No. 1 seed along the way. Chicago’s matchup Sunday against the 49ers and fellow COY candidate Kyle Shanahan — two of the league’s elite offensive minds — is going to be very interesting, and will certainly be part of the parsing process between the two.
Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
There was a reason why the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan were not thrilled when Macdonald landed in their division in 2024, and we’re seeing it now. Macdonald has transformed Seattle into one of the most balanced teams in the NFL offensively and defensively, integrated quarterback Sam Darnold into the mix, moved on successfully from DK Metcalf and rebooted a running game that is once again capable of getting the Seahawks through tough defensive battles. The one thing that will hurt Macdonald is that he’s coming off a 10-7 season in 2024 and didn’t start a reboot process this season to get where he is. There was some expectation of success this season, much like there was for Sean Payton in Denver and McVay in Los Angeles.
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
No coach has produced more in the face of roster adversity than Shanahan this season. Not only did the 49ers sustain a wave of veteran experience and leadership departing in the offseason, but San Francisco has juggled its way through injuries in virtually every area of the depth chart this season. That includes a long spate without starting quarterback Brock Purdy — in which backup Mac Jones performed in a manner that could revive his starting career — as well as losing defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner for the season. Not to mention the mess with wideout Brandon Aiyuk, which Shanahan somehow kept from becoming a huge distraction all season long. Shanahan carving this season out through the injuries and inside a monumentally tough NFC West may be the best coaching job of his career.
Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Vrabel took over a 4-13 Patriots team that finished last and transformed it in his first year back with the franchise, putting New England in play for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The turnaround has come with a roster that has had relatively thin depth and flat expectations, but has come together quickly defensively under Vrabel’s leadership. He also deserves a tip of the cap for turning the offense over to coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has brought along quarterback Drake Maye faster than anyone anticipated in his second season. While some will ding Vrabel for mounting the turnaround on a fairly weak schedule, it’s worth noting that he’s done it without some of the offensive wealth afforded some of the other COY candidates. He was also influential on both the free agency and draft classes, which have produced at a fairly high level on the field.
Coach of the Year remaining field
As I alluded to before, the Broncos’ Sean Payton and Rams’ Sean McVay are going to get consideration. The Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh and Texans’ DeMeco Ryans could land some votes, too. The problem with all of these names — and arguably even Macdonald — is that they are building on success in 2024, or have established veteran quarterback continuity, among other factors.
