Why Mike Vrabel Should Win 2025 NFL Coach of the Year

Roger Brown|published: Sat 27th December, 16:13 2025

Oct 12, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel runs off the field following a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Those who vote for the NFL Coach of the Year Award have at least a handful of viable candidates to consider this year, and the voting could be closer than a photo finish.

New England’s Mike Vrabel is the most deserving candidate. Vrabel is in his first season as New England’s head coach, and if you follow the Patriots you know the mess he inherited. After finishing with a 4-13 record in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, New England is 12-3 entering Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and is still in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed.

Vrabel has overseen a complete change in culture as well as the significant growth of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who is in the conversation with Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford to be named NFL MVP.

It’s worth noting that the Patriots ranked 30th in points scored and 22nd in points allowed among NFL teams under former coach Jarod Mayo last season, but are currently seventh in both points per game (27.3) and point allowed per game (20.0). Critics will point to New England’s schedule – only two of New England’s 12 victories came against teams that currently have a winning record – but the Patriots are 7-0 on the road.

New England will participate in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and a victory over the Jets would hand the Patriots their first AFC East division title since 2019. No coach has done more with the talent he has this season.

Others to consider:

Ben Johnson (Bears)

Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Like Vrabel, Johnson has benefitted from a quarterback (Caleb Williams) who has shown significant improvement during his second NFL season. The Bears (11-4), who finished 5-12 last season, are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and still have a chance to earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

Liam Coen (Jaguars)

Jacksonville finished 4-13 last season, but the Jaguars are 11-4 with two games to play in Coen’s first season as the team’s head coach. Jacksonville seems to be getting better as well. The Jaguars have won six in a row since a 5-4 start and have scored at least 30 points in five of their last eight games.

Dave Canales (Panthers)

Canales has Carolina (8-7) at the top of the AFC South standings entering this weekend’s game against Seattle, and has found a way to turn Bryce Young from a below-average quarterback to one that’s playing winning football.

Kyle Shanahan (49ers)

San Francisco (11-4) is still in the hunt for the AFC West title even though it lost its two best defensive players (Nick Bosa and Fred Warner) to injuries early in the season, and backup quarterback Mac Jones has made eight starts in place of injured starter Brock Purdy.

Worth Mentioning:

Mike MacDonald (Seahawks)

The Seahawks (12-3) have the best record in the NFC thanks to a defense that’s limiting opponents to 18.6 points per game.

Sean Payton (Broncos)

In his second season with Denver, Payton has guided the Broncos (13-3) to the best record in the AFC. Denver ranks third among NFL teams in points allowed per game (19.3).

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