3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has two top-4 MVP finishes in his career thus far, and with the Cincinnati Bengals overhauling the defense this offseason, I'd argue that this team is the best in the Burrow era, and as we all know, when healthy, Burrow is among the best players in the NFL.
And if the defense is just average in 2026, it's hard to see how the Bengals won't be an elite team, which would thrust Burrow near the top of the QB hierarchy and MVP race.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen won the MVP award in the 2024 season and is capable of doing it again. The obvious reason why he because of how dominant and overwhelming he is during games. One of the best dual-threat QBs of all-time, Allen has enjoyed an insanely successful and consistent career. While a Super Bowl has evaded he and the Buffalo Bills thus far, Allen is a generational player at the position and is really no stranger to being right in the thick if the MVP race each season.
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, then-Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards. He did this in his age-37 and 38 seasons. Well, Stafford just won the MVP for the first time in 2025, and he did it in his age-37 season.
With the Los Angeles Rams having added Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson to the defense, coupled with Stafford having just won the MVP and playing the best football of his career, why can't he do it again?
The Rams are indeed a better team on paper than they were in 2025, and with how well Stafford played, you have to wonder if there is another MVP-caliber season in the tank. Given that the NFL is a 'what have you done for me lately?' league, Stafford tops our list.
Add us as a preferred source on Google