We asked NFL execs to predict 2026 award winners: Here's who they picked for MVP, other hardware — SkimNews
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- Joe Burrow edged the MVP field in exec predictions, with the chief reservation being his health; he threw for 4,918 yards and 43 TDs in his last full 2024 season, while Josh Allen was called the "safest bet" by one AFC exec who declined to bank on Burrow's durability.
- Jahmyr Gibbs landed as the OPOY favorite — a three-time Pro Bowler with 39 career rushing touchdowns despite sharing carries with David Montgomery in a Lions backfield ranked 29th in rushing last year.
- Will Anderson Jr. drew the DPOY nod with sack totals climbing each season (7 to 11 to 12); one personnel evaluator projected a "15-sack season" if teams can't double both him and Danielle Hunter.
- Jadarian Price, the 32nd overall pick by the reigning-champion Seahawks, was the OROY pick over fellow Notre Dame rookie Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals), with Mike Macdonald's staff praising his coachability and open-field vision.
- Caleb Downs earned the DROY prediction as a versatile Cowboys piece expected to start in the slot; Brian Schottenheimer said Downs can line up "anywhere" and even cover CeeDee Lamb up the seam.
- Patrick Mahomes was the Comeback Player pick after "crushing" rehab from a torn ACL and PCL, with one scout framing the year as a response to "the noise" around his place in the QB pantheon.
- Brian Schottenheimer topped the Coach of the Year picks as a "wild card," with scouts citing a healthier Dak Prescott and a much-improved Dallas defense as reasons the Cowboys could win the NFC East.
- Rams are the "trendy Super Bowl pick" in league circles heading into Wednesday's Patriots-at-Seahawks opener at Lumen Field, a reminder of NFL parity — both Seattle and New England had 60-1 and 80-1 Super Bowl odds at this point last year.
Why it matters: Health is the swing variable across nearly every category — Burrow's MVP edge over Allen hinges on staying upright for 17 games, while Mahomes' Comeback case depends on his knee holding through Week 1. With the Rams the trendy title pick and execs split on whether the Bengals or Bills QB is the safer bet, the 2026 race leans heavily on whether two of the league's biggest stars can return to elite form.
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