There’s a reason Lamar Jackson is the favourite and although I’d love to be saying it’s a cert to go elsewhere, you simply cannot look beyond Jackson. This is a guy who has won the award twice already, back in 2019 and 2023 and if we’re totally honest, was quite unlucky to finish second to Josh Allen last year.

He’s proven that he’s the best running quarterback in the NFL, as well as being one of the very best passers in the league too. He can read defenses and with his unique skillset and athletic attributes, he’s a true unicorn and somebody that teams simply struggle to stop.

What’s crazy is that he’s actually getting better every single year, despite his game changing from one which relied on his legs, to one that now focuses on his arm. Last season he completed more passes than ever before, had more passing yards than every before, threw more passing touchdowns that before and has the highest passer rating of his career. All that despite throwing just four interceptions, that’s less than every year except his rookie season, in which he threw just 170 passes, compared with 474 in 2024.

If Jackson puts up similar numbers this year, or even improves, then he is surely taking home his third MVP award.

When you look at the league’s quarterbacks and try to project which very good QB will become great, then you can’t look beyond Jordan Love. Since replacing Aaron Rodgers in the Packers’ team, he’s shown that he’s got real talent, and the situation that he’s in, is a perfect one for an ascending quarterback.

The team is stacked with talent, which should help them finish with a strong record, which would assist his claims. In terms of offense, they have a strong offensive line to protect him, and the draft selection of Matthew Golden in the first round this year, gives him a legitimate WR1. The Packers’ WR corps have been solid throughout Love’s tenure but he’s not had a true alpha to play with, well, he does now.

Then to top it off there’s his health. He’s back and healthy following a minor thumb procedure and is coming into this season at 100% health. That’s worth remembering given that he suffered a knee injury in the opening game of last season that he struggled with for some time, and hindered his play. Love is ready to shine.

You read that right, Travis Hunter is 275/1 to win MVP. Yes, he’s a rookie. Yes, he plays for a poor Jacksonville Jaguars team, and yes, he’s not a quarterback, the position that usually wins this award. However, despite all that, if you’re talking long shots, then there’s nobody better than Hunter.

Hunter was the best player in this year’s NFL Draft and was only selected second because the Titans really need a QB. He played both ways for Colorado in college, meaning that he played on defense as a cornerback and on offense as a wide receiver. He’s a genuine two-way player, something that is very, very rarely seen in the NFL.

In recent years, we’ve seen some players get the occasional snap on the other side of the ball, such as JJ Watt, who ended his career with three offensive scores. It’s only really Deion Sanders in the past 30 years who has been a real two-way player, starting multiple games on offense and defense for the Cowboys in 1996. 

The Jaguars have said that he’ll primarily be a receiver but get snaps on defense at key times and in areas of important field position. This means Hunter could have plenty of chances to make decisive and crucial plays. Something that could swing potential voters to go against their usual habit of picking a quarterback. It’s a long shot for a reason, but if you want to take a swing, then this is one