NFL 2026: Very Early Coach of the Year Odds

• The NFL offseason is just getting underway and there are very early Coach of the Year odds available
• John Harbaugh currently leads the way, but there are intriguing options to consider
• The COY is usually based on either a rapid and unexpected improvement or a team being so dominant that the voters had no choice but to reward the head coach
• So who might win? Are there potential surprises? Which candidate provides good value?

2026 NFL Coach of the Year Odds

The Obvious Choices

John Harbaugh, New York Giants

The Giants’ bar had gotten so low from what fans were accustomed to before the forgettable Ben McAdoo/Pat Shurmur/Joe Judge/Brian Daboll era that the organization deviated from its past chain of command to give John Harbaugh what amounts to final say in football operations.

They’re 13-38 over the past three seasons and have had one winning season since 2016.

Simply getting them headed in the right direction with second-year QB Jaxson Dart and going 9-8 with a Wild Card berth will put him in the top 3 for COY.

Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons

We’ll learn pretty quickly whether Stefanski’s problems in Cleveland were because of him, because of the organization, or a combination of the two.

The media loves Stefanski. Many of the players do as well. Jameis Winston couldn’t say enough nice things about him.

Stefanski is undoubtedly intelligent and is a fine coach.

Just ask him!

He was new Falcons’ President of Football Matt Ryan’s main choice to replace Raheem Morris. With the Falcons, Stefanski takes over a talent-heavy roster with a solid young QB in Michael Penix, a top-tier receiver in Drake London, and a good, hard-hitting defense.

The NFC South is relatively weak, so it’s not ridiculous to expect 10-11 wins.

Stefanski has twice been COY with the Browns.

Worth a Look

Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints

After a 2-10 start, the Saints won 4 of their final 5 games to finish at 6-11. That wasn’t all that far from a playoff spot in the woeful NFC South.

Moore was hired as an offensive innovator. He has his handpicked QB in Tyler Shough, who, during that winning streak, made a late run toward the Offensive Rookie of the Year award before falling short.

While it’s unwise to take a late hot streak too seriously, they did beat the Buccaneers, the Panthers, and the Falcons in three of those victories.

If the Saints make the playoffs at 9-8, Moore will be on the shortlist for COY.

Demeco Ryans, Houston Texans

If the Texans can get QB C.J. Stroud back to his rookie form, they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. In 2025, they overcame an 0-3 start to finish at 12-5. In the Wild Card, they blew out the Steelers on the road before losing to the Patriots in the Divisionals.

His teams play extraordinarily hard for him. The defense goes up to the line of propriety with its rough style of play and frequently steps over that line. He stands behind them regardless.

A repeat of 12-5 and winning the increasingly difficult AFC South will give Ryans an opening to win COY.

Strangely Low Odds

Aaron Glenn, New York Jets

Jets owner Woody Johnson was undoubtedly tempted to fire Glenn after an embarrassing performance on and off the field. But he stood firm. The Jets’ coach enters 2026 on the hotseat not just because of Woody’s quick trigger, but because he did a poor job as a rookie HC and the Jets are rebuilding.

In 2026, they will have a veteran QB, whether it’s Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, or another recognizably competent name. Woody has never been shy about spending money, and they have massive draft capital.

But for that one shining moment in Super Bowl III, the Jets are historically inept. Glenn getting them above .500 would not only put him in contention for COY, but it could help him win it.

2026 NFL Coach of the Year Pick

The easy pick is John Harbaugh.

But when looking at the combination of factors, including the team one particular coach is taking over, their potential to win a weak division, and that the voters already love him, Kevin Stefanski is the pick.