Mike Vrabel, who led the New England Patriots to a tie for the best record in the NFL, is the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Seattle president of football operations/general manager John Schneider, whose personnel moves helped the Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, is the 2025 NFL Executive of the Year.
Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who oversaw a stingy defense that helped the Broncos capture the AFC’s top playoff seed, is the 2025 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Vrabel led the Patriots to a 14-3 record including a 10-game win streak from Weeks 4-13 in his first season coaching the franchise. He joins George Seifer (1989 San Francisco) and Jim Caldwell (2009 Indianapolis) as the only coaches to win 14 games in their first season with a franchise. The Patriots improved 10 games from the 4-13 finish in 2024, which ties for the best turnaround in NFL history (Indianapolis 1999 and 2008 Miami). New England had a +170-point differential (third in the NFL) and were second in the league with 490 points scored. The 6,449 total offense yards were third in the league, and the 22 rushing touchdowns were tied for fourth in the NFL. The defense allowed just 18.8 points per game (fourth in the NFL). Quarterback Drake Maye was selected to the PFWA’s All-AFC team, while running back TreVeyon Henderson and placekicker Andy Borregales were selected to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team.
This is the second PFWA Coach of the Year honor for Vrabel as he won the 2021 award with the Tennessee Titans, and the eighth Coach of the Year award for the Patriots’ franchise, as Vrabel joins Chuck Fairbanks (1976 AFC), Raymond Berry (1985 AFC), Ron Meyer (1987 AFC), Bill Parcells (1984) and Bill Belichick (2003, 2007 , 2010) as New England honorees.
Schneider’s work helped the Seahawks to the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2025. Seattle was 14-3 this season, and the Seahawks won their first division title since 2020 while claiming the franchise’s fourth No. 1 playoff seed. The 14 victories set a franchise record, and the Seahawks’ eight road victories were also the most in their history. Seattle’s draft success in recent seasons has solidified the on-field results. The players drafted by Schneider since 2023 who received 2025 PFWA honors include cornerback Devon Witherspoon (2023), an All-NFC selection, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), the PFWA’s Offensive Player of the Year and an All-NFL and All-NFC choice, and both safety Nick Emmanwori (2025) and guard Grey Zabel (2025), who were selected to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team. Schneider also added defensive tackle Leonard Williams in a 2023 trade, who became an All-NFL and All-NFC pick this season, and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed in a 2025 trade, who was named to the PFWA’s 2025 All-NFC team as a punt returner. Schneider also drafted 2025 All-NFC punter Michael Dickson (2018). In free agency, the Seahawks made a key acquisition as the franchise signed quarterback Sam Darnold, who threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns.
This is the first PFWA Executive of the Year honor for Schneider and the Seahawks since the award was established in 1993.
Joseph completed his fifth season with the Broncos, and his third as defensive coordinator in 2025, after serving as Denver’s head coach from 2017-18. The Broncos defense was third in average points allowed (18.3), led the league in sacks (68; tied for fifth-most in NFL history), held opponents to under 20 points 10 times, including five games when opposing offenses did not score a touchdown – a franchise record. The Denver defense also was stout in the red zone, holding opponents to a league-low 42.6 percent of touchdowns scored on red zone trips (20 of 47). Denver was second in total defense yards (278.2), second in rushing yards allowed (91.1) and passing yards allowed (187.2). Two of his defenders were PFWA honorees in 2025 as outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was an All-NFL and All-AFC choice, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II was an All-AFC selection.
Joseph is the second Broncos assistant to receive the PFWA award established in 1993, as he joins Wade Phillips (2015) as a Denver honoree.
2025 COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
2025 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks
2025 ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos
PFWA NFL COACH OF THE YEAR: 1966 – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys; 1967 AFL – John Rauch, Oakland Raiders; 1967 NFL – Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers; 1968 AFL – Weeb Ewbank, New York Jets; 1968 NFL – Don Shula, Baltimore Colts; 1969 AFL – John Madden, Oakland Raiders; 1969 NFL – Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings; 1970 AFC – Paul Brown, Cincinnati Bengals; 1970 NFC – Dick Nolan, San Francisco 49ers; 1971 AFC – Don Shula, Miami Dolphins; 1971 NFC – George Allen, Washington Redskins; 1972 AFC – Don Shula, Miami Dolphins; 1972 NFC – Dan Devine, Green Bay Packers; 1973 AFC – John Ralston, Denver Broncos; 1973 NFC – Chuck Knox, Los Angeles Rams; 1974 AFC – Sid Gilman, Houston Oilers; 1974 NFC – Don Coryell, St. Louis Cardinals; 1975 AFC – Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore Colts; 1975 NFC – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys; 1976 AFC – Chuck Fairbanks, New England Patriots; 1976 NFC – Jack Pardee, Chicago Bears; 1977 AFC – Red Miller, Denver Broncos; 1977 NFC – Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons; 1978 AFC – Walt Michaels, New York Jets; 1978 NFC – Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles; 1979 AFC – Don Coryell, San Diego Chargers; 1979 NFC – Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles; 1980 AFC – Chuck Knox, Buffalo Bills; 1980 NFC – Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons; 1981 AFC – Forrest Gregg, Cincinnati Bengals; 1981 NFC – Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers; 1982 AFC – Tom Flores, Los Angeles Raiders; 1982 NFC – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins; 1983 AFC – Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1983 NFC – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins; 1984 AFC – Chuck Knox, Seattle Seahawks; 1984 NFC – Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers; 1985 AFC – Raymond Berry, New England Patriots; 1985 NFC – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears; 1986 AFC – Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland Browns; 1986 NFC – Bill Parcells, New York Giants; 1987 AFC – Ron Meyer, New England Patriots; 1987 NFC – Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints; 1988 AFC – Sam Wyche, Cincinnati Bengals; 1988 NFC – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears; 1989 AFC – Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1989 NFC – Lindy Infante, Green Bay Packers; 1990 – Art Shell, Los Angeles Raiders; 1991 – Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions; 1992 – Bobby Ross, San Diego Chargers; 1993 – Dan Reeves, New York Giants; 1994 – Bill Parcells, New England Patriots; 1995 – Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers; 1996 – Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers; 1997 – Jim Fassel, New York Giants; 1998 – Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons; 1999 – Dick Vermeil, St. Louis Rams; 2000 – Jim Haslett, New Orleans Saints; 2001 – Dick Jauron, Chicago Bears; 2002 – Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles; 2003 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2004 – Marty Schottenheimer, San Diego Chargers; 2005 – Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears; 2006 – Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints; 2007 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2008 – Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins; 2009 – Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals; 2010 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2011 – Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers; 2012 – Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; 2014 – Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals; 2015 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; 2016 – Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; 2017 – Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams; 2018 – Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears; 2019 – John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens; 2020 – Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns; 2021 – Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans; 2022 – Brian Daboll, New York Giants; 2023 – DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans; 2024 – Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings; 2025 – Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots.
PFWA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: 1993 – George Young, New York Giants; 1994 – Carmen Policy, San Francisco 49ers; 1995 – Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers; 1996 – Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers; 1997 – George Young, New York Giants; 1998 – Front Office, Minnesota Vikings; 1999 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2000 – Randy Mueller, New Orleans Saints; 2001 – Charley Armey, St. Louis Rams; 2002 – Al Davis, Oakland Raiders; 2003 – Scott Pioli, New England Patriots; 2004 – A.J. Smith, San Diego Chargers; 2005 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2006 – Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints; 2007 – Scott Pioli, New England Patriots; 2008 – Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins; 2009 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2010 – Scott Pioli, Kansas City Chiefs; 2011 – Trent Baalke, San Francisco 49ers; 2012 – Ryan Grigson, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – John Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs; 2014 – Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys; 2015 – Mike Maccagnan, New York Jets; 2016 – Reggie McKenzie, Oakland Raiders; 2017 – Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles; 2018 – Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts; 2019 – John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers; 2020 – Brandon Beane, Buffalo Bills; 2021 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2022 – Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles; 2023 – Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions; 2024 – Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions; 2025 – John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks.
PFWA ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: 1993 – Ray Rhodes, Green Bay Packers; 1994 – Dom Capers, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1995 – Pete Carroll, San Francisco 49ers; 1996 – Dave Campo, Dallas Cowboys; 1997 – John Fox, New York Giants; 1998 – Brian Billick, Minnesota Vikings; 1999 – Dom Capers, Jacksonville Jaguars; 2000 – Marvin Lewis, Baltimore Ravens; 2001 – Mike Mularkey, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2002 – Monte Kiffin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 2003 – Romeo Crennel, New England Patriots; 2004 – Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2005 – Ron Rivera, Chicago Bears; 2006 – Rex Ryan, Baltimore Ravens; 2007 – Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; 2008 – Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2009 – Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals; 2010 – Marty Mornhinweg, Philadelphia Eagles; 2011 – Wade Phillips, Houston Texans; 2012 – Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – Ken Whisenhunt, San Diego Chargers; 2014 – Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals; 2015 – (tie) Hue Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals and Wade Phillips, Denver Broncos; 2016 – Kyle Shanahan, Atlanta Falcons; 2017– Pat Shurmur, Minnesota Vikings; 2018– Vic Fangio, Chicago Bears; 2019 – Greg Roman, Baltimore Ravens; 2020 – Brian Daboll, Buffalo Bills; 2021 – Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys; 2022 – DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers; 2023 – Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens; 2024 – Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions; 2025 – Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos.
