Joe Burrow is emerging as a strong preseason MVP candidate for 2026 after missing nine games in 2025 due to injury. Early MVP odds show him trailing behind Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.

Bengals' Joe Burrow headlines way-too-early MVP predictions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joe Burrow is gaining traction among bettors for the preseason MVP pick. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback missed nine games in 2025 after sustaining a Grade 3 turf toe injury in the Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, in 2026, Burrow might be setting himself up for a great season.
NFL analyst Dov Kleiman shared early 2026 MVP odds. As expected, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson lead the odds, followed by New England Patriots' . Here's the list (via Polymarket):
Joe Burrow's MVP odds for the 2026 NFL season are gaining traction among bettors, although specific odds were not detailed in the article.
Joe Burrow missed nine games in the 2025 season due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury.
The top contenders for the 2026 NFL MVP award include Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Drake Maye.

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Bills Josh Allen +600
Ravens Lamar Jackson +750
Patriots Drake Maye +850
Bengals Joe Burrow +1,000
Chargers Justin Herbert +1,100
In his post, Kleiman also noted Burrow is currently the most predicted MVP pick. This means that while on sportsbooks, Burrow trails; many are betting on the Bengals' quarterback's undervalued status.
Joe Burrow is special to watch when he is healthy for the whole season. He has the uncanny ability to deliver accurate passes in tough situations and can read defenses before the snap takes place.
Last season, Burrow led the Bengals to a 5-3 record. He completed 173 of 259 passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games. He added 41 rushing yards as well while posting a 100.7 passer rating and 63.0 QBR. He earned his third Pro Bowl nod.
However, Burrow will face tough competition in the MVP race. Allen and Jackson are perennial contenders, thanks to their dual-threat status. Maye came very close to winning the MVP last year, which eventually went to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
But if the Bengals deliver the kind of season many expect, Burrow will be in line to add an MVP award to his resume.