NEW YORK — The debate is already raging. The NFL announced the 2026 “NFL Honors” finalists today, and the race for Associated Press Coach of the Year (COTY) has turned into a heavyweight bout between two architects of massive turnarounds.
Mike Vrabel, who dragged the New England Patriots from the AFC East cellar to a stunning 15-win season, leads the pack. But he’s staring down Ben Johnson, the man who finally woke the sleeping giant in Chicago, delivering the Bears an NFC North title in his rookie season.
Nobody saw 15 wins coming in Foxborough. When Mike Vrabel took the reins at Gillette Stadium, the roster looked depleted. Fast forward 12 months, and his defense suffocated opponents while rookie QB Drake Maye flourished under a protected, disciplined system. Vrabel didn’t just coach; he instilled a toughness that had been missing since the dynasty days.
Then there’s Ben Johnson. Chicago faithful have waited decades for an offense this electric. Johnson unlocked Caleb Williams in ways the league feared, sweeping the Packers and turning Soldier Field into a fortress. His play-calling wasn’t just clever; it was aggressive, putting the Bears back on the map with an 11-6 finish.
The Standard Bearers
While the new faces grab headlines, the steady hands remain lethal.
- Kyle Shanahan (49ers): Another year, another masterclass. Shanahan kept the 49ers machine humming despite key injuries, proving his system is bulletproof.
- Mike Macdonald (Seahawks): In his second year, Macdonald’s defense became the Legion of Boom 2.0. Seattle didn’t just make the playoffs; they bullied their way in.
- Liam Coen (Jaguars): The quiet achiever of the group. Coen salvaged Trevor Lawrence’s career, turning a disjointed Jaguars attack into a top-10 unit.
“We heard the noise in August. They said we were a four-win team. I told the guys, ‘Don’t listen to the noise, listen to the man next to you.’ We built this brick by brick.”
— Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots Head Coach
“This city deserves a winner. We aren’t satisfied with just the North. We want the whole thing. But to be mentioned with guys like Mike [Vrabel] and Kyle [Shanahan]? That’s humbling.”
— Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears Head Coach
The Assistant Coach of the Year (ACOTY) race is equally brutal. Vic Fangio transformed the Eagles’ defense into a turnover machine, while Brian Flores (Vikings) proved his blitz packages are still the league’s nightmare.
Keep an eye on Klint Kubiak. His work with the Seahawks’ offense balanced Macdonald’s defense perfectly. Meanwhile, Josh McDaniels found his groove again as the Patriots’ OC, orchestrating the offense that supported Vrabel’s 15-win campaign.
This isn’t just about hardware. The voting often reflects momentum going into Championship Sunday. Vrabel’s Patriots look unstoppable, but Johnson’s Bears have the offensive firepower to upset anyone. If voters value “doing more with less,” Vrabel takes it. If they value “culture shock,” Johnson is the pick. The winner will be crowned February 5th in Los Angeles.
