Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 25 August, 2025
Over the past decade, the MVP award has been awarded almost exclusively to quarterbacks. That trend didn't stop for the 2024-25 season, either, as Josh Allen won the first MVP award of his career.
Unsurprisingly, the odds for the next MVP opened with Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow sitting at the top. With preseason games underway, a lot can change from now until the next NFL Honors, and we'll keep NFL bettors up to date on all movements and changes to the odds board.
Player | Opening Odds | Current Best Odds |
---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson | +500 | +550 (DraftKings*) |
Josh Allen | +550 | +600 (Caesars*) |
Joe Burrow | +750 | +650 (DraftKings) |
Patrick Mahomes | +750 | +700 (BetRivers*) |
Jayden Daniels | +1000 | +1000 (FanDuel) |
Jalen Hurts | +2500 | +2000 (Caesars*) |
Justin Herbert | +2000 | +2200 (Caesars) |
CJ Stroud | +2500 | +2500 (DraftKings*) |
Jordan Love | +2200 | +2500 (BetRivers*) |
Brock Purdy | +3500 | +3000 (DraftKings) |
Baker Mayfield | +3500 | +3500 (BetRivers) |
Caleb Williams | +3500 | +3700 (FanDuel) |
Jared Goff | +2800 | +4000 (Caesars) |
Dak Prescott | +3500 | +4000 (FanDuel) |
Matthew Stafford | +5000 | +4000 (BetRivers*) |
Trevor Lawrence | +3500 | +5000 (Caesars*) |
Kyler Murray | +5000 | +5500 (Caesars) |
Saquon Barkley | +5000 | +6000 (FanDuel*) |
Tua Tagovailoa | +4000 | +6000 (DraftKings*) |
Drake Maye | +6600 | +6000 (FanDuel*) |
Bo Nix | +6600 | +6000 (Caesars*) |
Odds as of August 25, 2025
* = the same odds are offered by multiple sportsbooks.
Player | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson | +550 | +430 | +550 | +550 |
Josh Allen | +550 | +600 | +600 | +600 |
Joe Burrow | +650 | +600 | +600 | +600 |
Patrick Mahomes | +700 | +650 | +700 | +650 |
Jayden Daniels | +750 | +1000 | +900 | +900 |
Jalen Hurts | +1700 | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
Justin Herbert | +1800 | +2000 | +2000 | +2200 |
CJ Stroud | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
Jordan Love | +2500 | +2000 | +2500 | +2200 |
Baker Mayfield | +2500 | +2500 | +3500 | +3300 |
*Odds as of August 25, 2025.
Lamar Jackson (+430 to +550): While he was unable to repeat as the MVP last season, Lamar Jackson is still in a good position to join the elite group of guys who have won three MVPs. Last season, Jackson nearly doubled his touchdown pass total from his MVP campaign in 2023, as he finished the regular season with a 41:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while posting a career-best passer rating of 119.6. With Derrick Henry in the backfield to keep defenses honest, Jackson seems more willing to push the ball downfield and only use his legs when needed, which not only will keep him healthier, but it will also help his case for reclaiming the MVP.
Josh Allen (+550 to +600): Josh Allen is still searching for his first Super Bowl appearance, but he is no longer searching for the MVP award. Allen may not have posted 4,000 passing yards or a new career high in touchdowns, but he did throw a career low in interceptions while still averaging 7.7 yards per completion. With Buffalo focusing more on becoming a run-heavy offense, the pressure on Allen to drop back 50 times a game disappeared, and it also allowed him to rush for 12 touchdowns. By keeping that same offensive philosophy this season, there is no reason why Allen can't remain a favorite to defend his MVP award.
Joe Burrow (+600 to +650): When Joe Burrow plays a full season, he is nearly unstoppable. For the third time in five seasons, Burrow played every game of the regular season, resulting in 43 touchdowns and 4,918 yards on a 70.6% completion percentage. Protecting Burrow has remained the most significant issue in Cincinnati, and whether they can this season is still up for debate. However, the good news is that Cincinnati was able to retain Tee Higgins, so Joe Cool will still have his dynamic duo at receiver.
Season - Player (Position) | Team | Opening odds | Week 9 odds |
---|---|---|---|
2024 - Josh Allen (QB) | Buffalo Bills | +800 | +300 |
2023 - Lamar Jackson (QB) | Baltimore Ravens | +1600 | +600 |
2022 - Patrick Mahomes (QB) | Kansas City Chiefs | +700 | +450 |
2021 - Aaron Rodgers (QB) | Green Bay Packers | +800 | +900 |
2020 - Aaron Rodgers (QB) | Green Bay Packers | +3,000 | N/A |
2019 - Lamar Jackson (QB) | Baltimore Ravens | +4000 | N/A |
2018 - Patrick Mahomes (QB) | Kansas City Chiefs | +3525 | N/A |
2017 -Tom Brady (QB) | New England Patriots | +385 | N/A |
2016 - Matt Ryan (QB) | Atlanta Falcons | +7500 | N/A |
2015 - Cam Newton (QB) | Carolina Panthers | +5200 | N/A |
2014 - Aaron Rodgers (QB) | Green Bay Packers | +600 | N/A |
Rank - Player | Total points | 1st place votes |
---|---|---|
1. Josh Allen (QB, Bills) | 383 | 27 |
2. Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens) | 362 | 23 |
3. Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles) | 120 | 0 |
4. Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) | 82 | 0 |
5. Jared Goff (QB, Lions) | 47 | 0 |
6. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs) | 31 | 0 |
7. Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) | 8 | 0 |
8. Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers) | 6 | 0 |
9. Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Bengals) | 6 | 0 |
10. Sam Darnold (QB, Vikings) | 3 | 0 |
11. Baker Mayfield (QB, Buccaneers) | 2 | 0 |
The last time a player who did not play quarterback won the MVP award was in 2012, when Adrian Peterson won it after rushing for over 2,000 yards.
Only two defensive players have won the award since 1957, with Lawrence Taylor being the most recent in 1986.
Winning multiple MVPs is more than possible, as Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson have all won at least two in the past ten years.
A quarterback does not just have to lead the league in touchdowns to win the award, as Joe Burrow had more passing TDs and yards than Josh Allen in 2024.
NFL MVP voters can be persuaded or skewed just like the general public. These voters may have their eyes on every game played during the week. Still, just like the casual fan, it can be easy to forget or look past a stellar performance during the 1:00 Sunday window after a star puts on a show during a primetime game.
Even with the creation of Red Zone, football fanatics cannot see every play of every game on Sunday, but during the primetime slots, they see every scramble, rush, and broken tackle. Contenders for the award need to produce every week, but MVP narratives can be formed in primetime when all eyes are on them.
With extensive coverage for each primetime game, a noteworthy performance from an MVP contender on Sunday Night Football can cause a significant change in the betting odds. For example, Lamar Jackson could go out on Sunday afternoon and throw for two touchdowns and rush for one. However, Josh Allen could take center stage on Sunday night against a notable opponent, and if he thrives, then a surge of action could cause his MVP odds to go from (+450) to (+300).
The primetime effect needs to be considered when wagering on this award. If a bettor believes Joe Burrow’s odds during week eight have value and he plays during Monday Night Football at the end of the weekend, then waiting to place that bet may cause a significant potential loss.