NFL MVP Rankings: Joe Burrow can put retirement plans on hold with trophy vs Stafford and Allen
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen want to dethrone Matthew Stafford in 2026.
But a former Super Bowl quarterback who once considered a shocking retirement is now a serious candidate to win the NFL’s MVP award this season.
If Joe Burrow flips a 6-11 record into the AFC North title and a premium playoff seeding, the veteran Cincinnati Bengals QB could be named the league’s best player.
Jaxson Dart, Trevor Lawrence and Saquon Barkley are MVP wild cards as all 32 NFL teams enter Week 1, which will kick off on Wednesday with a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
The San Francisco 49ers will then face Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday during the NFL’s first regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia.
You have to go back to 2012 to find the last time that a running back (Adrian Peterson) won the NFL’s biggest individual award, which means that it’s more likely that Lamar Jackson will add a third trophy to his case or Allen will capture a second award.
With start of the 2026 NFL season only days away, talkSPORT takes an inside look at the NFL MVP race.
10. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (10/1 odds at talkSPORT bet)
Will this be the year that Herbert puts it all together?
He has the arm and athletic talent to be the NFL’s MVP, while the Chargers have won 11 games in back-to-back seasons.
Since this is a regular-season award, Herbert has a better shot of finishing on top — the playoffs don’t count for MVP voters.
9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (18/1)
Purdy was one of the best QBs in the NFL in 2023, passing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns, while finishing fourth in MVP voting.
Two seasons later, he’s playing on a $265 million contract but entering a prove-it season while leading the 49ers in Australia.
Purdy will again receive MVP consideration if he guides San Francisco to the top of the NFC West and into the playoffs.
The biggest hurdle for Purdy and his 49ers is staying healthy next to a potentially cursed facility.
8. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (14/1)
No one is Super Bowl or bust more than Prescott.
If he falls short again in 2026, the Cowboys must start searching for a new long-term answer at QB.
If Dallas turns its top-heavy roster into an NFC East title and Prescott again puts up big numbers, this could be his magical MVP year.
Adding first-round pick Caleb Downs on defense should help Prescott’s cause.
7. Drake Maye, New England Patriots (10/1)
Maye was superb in 2025, finishing second in MVP voting and reaching the Super Bowl.
The Patriots’ schedule will be tougher this year, which means that Maye will receive the credit that he deserves if New England makes a repeat Super Bowl appearance.
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (13/2)
Action Jackson has a ton to prove in 2026.
Don’t be surprised if the most talented QB in the league captures another MVP award and pairs with Derrick Henry to dominate the AFC on the way to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.
It’s on new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter to get the best out of Jackson at a pivotal point in his career.
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (10/1)
Call it a comeback for Joe Cool.
No one doubts that Burrow is one of the best passing QBs in a QB-driven league.
But can the two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year lead an elite Bengals team in 2026?
Burrow will fall out of the top 10 if Cincinnati starts slow again.
He will shoot to No. 1 if the Bengals are 4-0 entering Week 5 vs the Miami Dolphins.
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4. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (14/1)
The new Iceman is trying to bring it back to 1985 for the Bears.
It’s been 41 years since Chicago could believe in its team and QB on a Super Bowl level.
This could be the year for Williams as NFL MVP.
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (10/1)
A healed Showtime Mahomes starting Week 1 is an early win for the Chiefs and the NFL.
If Mahomes guides the revamped Chiefs past the Denver Broncos in the AFC West, it’ll be hard not to hand a third MVP to Kansas City’s superstar QB.
Like Jackson, Mahomes’ career is at a crossroads — but no one doubts Mahomes’ ability to win the Super Bowl.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (11/2)
The only reason that Allen isn’t No. 1 right now is because the Bills have work to do.
New England is the best team in the AFC East, which makes Drake Maye a smarter MVP bet right now.
Allen must once again carry the Bills to glory while trying to win the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
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1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (14/1)
Stafford will be backed by an even better defense in 2026 and now has an un-retired Aaron Donald as a reinforcement.
Life is good for the 38-year-old reigning MVP — especially after losing 90 games earlier in his career with the Detroit Lions.
Life will be even better for Stafford if the Rams turn a long flight to Australia into a 1-0 start by beating the NFC West rival 49ers again.
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