NFL MVP Frontrunners Identified for 2026-2027 Season

Five National Football League quarterbacks have been identified as the primary contenders for the 2026-2027 Most Valuable Player award: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes. The selection process, as reported by Yahoo Sports, emphasises roster reinforcements, offensive scheme changes, and player health as the decisive factors. This assessment continues a historical pattern in which a quarterback has won the award for the last 13 consecutive seasons, with Adrian Peterson in 2012 remaining the last non-quarterback to claim the honour.

Josh Allen enters the season as a frontrunner after finishing third in last year’s voting and recording 4,247 total yards and 39 total touchdowns in 2025. The Buffalo Bills strengthened their offensive capabilities by trading a second-round pick to Chicago for receiver DJ Moore, who reunites with Allen under new head coach Joe Brady. Brady, formerly Allen’s offensive coordinator in Carolina, takes over after the team parted ways with Sean McDermott. While Buffalo returns nearly all of its 2025 starters, the addition of Moore and the coaching shift represent the most significant variables for voters.

Lamar Jackson faces a complete coaching overhaul in Baltimore, where Jesse Minter has replaced John Harbaugh and 29-year-old Declan Doyle has been appointed offensive coordinator. Doyle’s play-action-heavy scheme is designed to align with Jackson’s strengths, though the Ravens must address the centre position following the departure of Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum. The front office has also bolstered the pass rush by adding Trey Hendrickson and rebuilding the guard spots, aiming to support Jackson after a hamstring injury derailed his 2025 MVP pace.

Joe Burrow returns to the Cincinnati Bengals after a turf toe injury limited him to eight starts in 2025. The team has significantly overhauled its defense, which ranked 29th in defensive EPA over the previous three seasons, by trading for Dexter Lawrence and signing Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook. Burrow retains the backing of head coach Zac Taylor and the full offensive core, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, positioning the Bengals to leverage their high-scoring offence with improved defensive support.

Justin Herbert operates under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who has adjusted Herbert’s shotgun stance to facilitate a quicker release within a wide-zone scheme. The Los Angeles Chargers prioritised the offensive line, signing centre Tyler Biadasz and securing the health of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Herbert, who set career highs in rushing yards last season, now has a deep set of skill players including Ladd McConkey and David Njoku, though the path to an AFC West title remains challenging with the Broncos and Kansas City in their division.

Patrick Mahomes aims to return from an ACL tear suffered in December to lead the Kansas City Chiefs. Reports indicate he is ahead of schedule for a Week 1 start, though the team faces questions regarding receiver depth following the suspension of Rashee Rice and the loss of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Kansas City added running back Kenneth Walker III to balance the offence and retains one of the league’s best interior lines, setting up a season where Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid have significant incentives to prove their resilience.

The analysis coincides with broader league trends, including an ESPN trade value guide for the 2026 season that highlights a shift towards trading for established superstars. ESPN writer Daniel Barnwell ranked 155 players, noting Allen and Mahomes among those with high trade value, reflecting a league-wide willingness to acquire proven talent. As camps open, the convergence of health, scheme, and roster construction will determine which of these five quarterbacks clears the win threshold required to secure the award.