The 2026 NFL MVP race already has several familiar names near the top of the odds board. With the new season approaching, these quarterbacks have strong cases to make a serious push for the award. 

Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert are among the leading contenders in the current MVP odds. Here is what to know about each player, based on DraftKings Sportsbook odds as of August 10, 2026. 

Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills | Odds: +600

Josh Allen enters the 2026 season as the favorite after winning the MVP award in the 2024 season. He received 27 first-place votes that year, while throwing for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also added 12 rushing scores.

As per an August 18 report by Fox Sports, Allen finished third in MVP voting last season and received two first-place votes. That gives the Bills quarterback another strong finish heading into the new season.

Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens | Odds: +800

Lamar Jackson’s MVP résumé already includes two MVP wins. He was named the unanimous MVP in 2019 after receiving all 50 first-place votes, and he won the award again in 2023 with 49 of 50 votes.

The Ravens quarterback will be looking to bounce back after an injury-riddled 2025 season. His previous MVP success keeps him among the leading names for 2026.

Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals | Odds: +850

A first-place MVP vote has still eluded Joe Burrow. He has finished fourth in the voting twice, in 2022 and 2024, but injuries have been a factor throughout his career.

Burrow has missed at least six games in three of his six professional seasons. His odds have since improved from +1100 to +850, putting him in a better position to make a run at his first MVP award.

Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs | Odds: +1000

Two MVP awards already sit on Patrick Mahomes’ résumé. He won the honor in 2018 after receiving 41 first-place votes and throwing 50 touchdowns. He then collected 48 first-place votes in 2022.

Mahomes is coming off an ACL injury suffered late in the 2025 season. The Chiefs’ quarterback is expected to return in time for Week 1, giving him a chance to add another MVP campaign to his résumé.

Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers | Odds: +1000

Justin Herbert received one first-place vote in last season’s MVP race. Matthew Stafford finished with 24 votes, Drake Maye had 23, Allen received two, and Herbert had the remaining vote.

For 2026, Herbert is set to get both of his All-Pro offensive tackles back from injury. He will also have Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator, giving the Chargers quarterback two notable changes around him heading into the new season.

With Allen leading the odds at +600, the other four quarterbacks remain within reach of the top spot. Jackson, Burrow, Mahomes and Herbert each enter the season with a different case for making a serious MVP push.

Who do you think will win the 2026 NFL MVP award? Share your picks in the comments.