Exploring Longshots in the 2026 NFL MVP Race: Who Could Surprise Us?

Exploring Longshots in the 2026 NFL MVP Race: Who Could Surprise Us?

The 2025 NFL MVP race unfolded like a thrilling horse race, with Rams QB Matthew Stafford edging out Patriots QB Drake Maye by a single first-place vote. Heading into Week 18, Maye was the heavy favorite at -400 odds, but Stafford's impressive performance in a 37-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals flipped the script. Despite Maye's odds leading up to the finale, Stafford's key plays in previous games, especially a 457-yard outing against the Seattle Seahawks, helped secure his victory. Both players were unexpected finalists, with Maye initially sitting at +6000 odds and Stafford not even on the betting menu due to injury concerns at the start of the season. This raises the question: are there any viable longshots for the 2026 NFL MVP? One intriguing candidate is Kirk Cousins at +20000. If he returns to the Vikings and outperforms J.J. McCarthy, he could generate significant buzz, especially if he leads his team to victory alongside star receiver Justin Jefferson. Historically, non-quarterbacks struggle to win the MVP, with Adrian Peterson being the last to do so in 2012. Both Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley have put up record-breaking numbers recently yet have not received MVP votes. Current DraftKings odds for the 2026 NFL MVP include: Josh Allen +550 Lamar Jackson +650 Patrick Mahomes +1000 Justin Herbert +1000 Drake Maye +1000 Joe Burrow +1000 Dak Prescott +1200 Matthew Stafford +1400 Caleb Williams +1500 Jordan Love +1500 Brock Purdy +1800 Jayden Daniels +2000 Jalen Hurts +2200 Sam Darnold +2800 Baker Mayfield +2800 Jared Goff +3500 Bo Nix +3500 Jaxson Dart +4500 C.J. Stroud +4500 Daniel Jones +5500 Cam Ward +5500 Initial leans for potential MVP candidates include Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes at +1000. Mahomes, a two-time MVP, could reclaim his position if healthy, while Burrow's return from injury has rekindled excitement about the Bengals. Trevor Lawrence at +2000 also stands out after a strong 2025 season, whereas Jaxson Dart at +4500 might attract attention under new coaching in a competitive NFC East. As the 2026 season approaches, the landscape remains dynamic, and the MVP race promises to be as unpredictable as ever.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-02-13