The 2026 NFL season is just over five months away, with the NFL Draft and training camp still to come before the first ball is kicked in preseason.

After a crazy March that saw teams adjust their rosters either through Free Agency or trades, this has led to much excitement from the fanbases of all 32 NFL teams, even the ones who are not expected to compete for a postseason berth.

Not only are fans hopeful for their team to challenge for the Super Bowl, but also for their star player to win the Most Valuable Player award.

With the history of the award, it is most likely to be won by a quarterback. Adrian Peterson in 2012 was the last non-QB to claim it.

Saquon Barkley become just the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in the 2024 season, but did not win the award. It is hard to see the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua or Ja’Marr Chase win the award in 2026.

Here are five way too early contenders for the MVP award in 2026.

In 2026, the San Francisco 49ers were just two games away from being the third team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium.

A loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round saw their season come to an end, one where they defied the team injury bug. The Niners had a total of 51 players either be questionable or miss time through injury.

Should the roster remain relatively injury free in 2026, then this is a roster that can absolutely compete for a spot in Super Bowl LXI. With the addition of wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, there is a real possibility that they could make a return to the big game.

Should they have a successful season, then Purdy will likely earn the plaudits and be a contender for the MVP award.

The sophomore year for Caleb Williams was one of the most memorable in recent memory.

During a season where the Chicago Bears won the NFC North and reached the Divisional Round, they earned themselves the nickname Cardiac Bears.

They allowed a 17-6 fourth quarter lead to slip, beat the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders by a score of 25-24, lost 42-38 to the 49ers and beat the Cincinnati Bengals 47-42. They also earned an overtime win against the Packers twice at Soldier Field, including ending their 15-year wait for a playoff win in the Wildcard Round.

Only two of their six losses were by more than seven points and this team showed just what they can do in one of the strongest divisions in the league.

Williams was just 58 yards off being the first quarterback in franchise history to throw for 4,000 yards (3,942) and ended with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Whilst he may have seen wide receiver DJ Moore move to the Buffalo Bills last month, this will open up the path for one his favourite targets in Rome Odunze to become a star.

The Seattle Seahawks saw both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett leave last year and this had a big say in why Jaxon Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year in their run to Super Bowl glory. There is a chance that the Bears could see a similar trajectory for Odunze in 2026.

Should this be the case, then Williams will be a prime contender for MVP. His throw against the Los Angeles Rams in their Divisional Round loss will be talked about for years, and he showed up time and time again in big moments.

Both wins over the Packers at Soldier Field showed that no deficit is too big for Williams. It is one thing to have one fourth quarter comeback in a season, but to have multiple shows that he has something that not many can say they have, big game mentality.

Williams can make plays on the fly, extend drives with his legs and find a player in any position or weather condition. He is box office and should be seen as an MVP contender.

There is no guarantee that the defense or coaching from Zac Taylor will be up to scratch in 2026 for the Bengals. One thing that can be assured that if Joe Burrow can stay healthy for all 17 games, this organisation will always be a team to fear.

With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to throw to, there is an offense that Is electric when everyone is healthy.

This is a big if, with plenty of injury issues for their star quarterback of late. They will be buoyed by their 2026 schedule. They will face the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers twice, as well as face the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders.

They can very easily win seven or all nine of those games. Add in a Kansas City Chiefs team in rebuild, a Jacksonville Jaguars team without Travis Etienne Jr and an ever-inconsistent Atlanta Falcons and this is a schedule welcomed by Who Dey Nation.

The second most recent MVP winner in real life, Allen remains the life and soul of the Bills offense. With the aforementioned addition of Moore to the offense, this gives him a premier passing option to throw to.

The 2026 schedule is tough on the Bills, with the AFC West and NFC North divisions to face , as well as the likes of the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams. However, with the Dolphins and New York Jets both to play twice a season, this is four easy wins for the Bills and a very likely division title.

This Bills team will be contenders as long as Allen is on the field and a 13-win team that has Allen as the protagonist will put his name well and truly in the MVP conversation. After all, he has been in the top five of MVP voting in all but one of the past six seasons.

A two-time winner of the award, Lamar Jackson should always be seen as a contender.

The 2019 unanimous winner has been electric since taking over from Joe Flacco in his rookie campaign. Baltimore had a down year in 2025, culminating in John Harbaugh’s departure. The hiring of Jesse Minter as head coach will bring stability to the team’s recent Achilles heel, their defense.

Add these all together should make Ravens contenders and Jackson will likely be a big reason for this.

Andy Davies

Five EARLY contenders for MVP in 2026

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