Uncover the Surprising NFL MVP Contenders Nobody Saw Coming in 2025!

Here we are, standing at the edge of the NFL 2025-26 season kickoff, and it’s do-or-die time for all those long-term predictions. Ever wonder if betting on your gut feeling actually holds water, or if you’re just throwing darts blindfolded? Well, I’ve marked my official bets with an asterisk to separate my hard cash from just shouting into the void. Some picks are straight fire in my portfolio, others? Just my bold proclamations—because hey, someone’s gotta rattle the cage. From MVP to Coach of the Year, I’m giving you the real-deal scoop, cutting through the noise with a nod to who’s truly got the goods—and who’s riding hype. Plus, there’s a killer giveaway baked in for one lucky fan to snag VIP tickets to Georgia vs. Alabama, travel included! So, curious to see who I’m backing and why—to win, to break out, or even to come back swinging? Buckle up, this season’s about to be one hell of a ride. LEARN MORE.

Since the NFL 2025-26 season kicks off Thursday, it’s Sh*t or Get Off the Pot as far as season-long predictions go. The asterisk “*” on the sections below indicates the actual bets I have in my portfolio. If there is no asterisk, then the player written is just a pick I’m going on the record with. There are a couple of awards where my “best bet” differs from my pick, and I’ll explain why. 

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Enough of the jibber jabber, here’s who I have winning the NFL MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year on both sides of the ball, Comeback Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year.  

This is an official pick rather than a bet I have in my account because the payout isn’t big enough. That said, Allen shoulders the most responsibility in the league and has never been hurt, so there is value since he should be the betting favorite. Plus, if the Bills clinch the 1-seed in the AFC, which is doable with their soft schedule, Allen will likely win his second consecutive NFL MVP. 

My guy is aging like fine wine. Last season, his first with the Ravens, Henry ran for the second-most yards of his career (1,921), tied a career high with 18 total touchdowns, and achieved career-bests in yards per rush (5.9) and success rate (58.8%). Henry and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson are the best rushing duo in the league. 

Furthermore, there is a misconception that mobile quarterbacks hurt a running back’s production. However, the opposite is true because the running quarterback keeps the defense from selling out to stop one ball carrier, which explains Henry’s best season in 2024-25. More importantly, I expect Baltimore to have the best offense in the league this season. 

DPOY is a “pass rusher’s award,” and there are six pass-rushers with better odds to win it. Spoiler alert: There aren’t five better pass-rushers in the NFL than Bosa, and his “fair odds” are +1000. Bosa won the 2022 DPOY with a league-leading 18.5 sacks, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) has graded him fourth or better among pass-rushers in four of his six NFL seasons. 

The only bet I’ve made in this market is New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart (+2500) because of the payout, and he is the only other first-round quarterback after Ward. But, since Ward is the truth and will make the Titans a “tough out” this season, Dart will need to replace Giants starting QB Russell Wilson sooner rather than later for him to win rookie of the year. 

NYG could have the best pass-rush in the league, featuring Carter, EDGEs Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence. It’s rare for a highly-touted pass rusher like Carter to have so much help along the defensive line in his rookie season. Everyone thinks Carter is the “real deal,” hence, him being a heavy favorite to win this award. 

Otherwise, my best value in this market is Ravens EDGE Mike Green (+1200) at DraftKings. His off-the-field issues caused him to slip to the second round in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Green led college football in sacks last year. He was third in PFF’s pass-rush win rate among EDGEs this preseason, and the weakest part of Baltimore’s defense is its pass-rush, so Green should get a lot of snaps. 

I’m one of the few people who still believe Lawrence can be a franchise quarterback. Although this is a “make or break” year for Lawrence. He has two stud wide receivers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Jacksonville’s first-year head coach, Liam Coen, got the most out of Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last season. 

Also, since quarterback is the most important position in the sport, Lawrence should have better odds of winning this award than Detroit Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. Lastly, the Jaguars have a better chance of winning their division than QB Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys do in the NFC East. 

Obviously, Seattle would need to win the NFC West for Macdonald to win Coach of the Year. I’m high on the Seahawks this season because their defense is nasty and Macdonald is one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL. Seattle’s odds of winning its division are +500. Yet, if the Seahawks won the NFC West, Macdonald would finish in the top four in voting for Coach of the Year. 

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Follow me on X (or Twitter, whatever) @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. Track my NFL 2025-26 bets here.