The race for MVP went down to the wire last season, with Josh Allen just nipping Lamar Jackson to take home the award for the first time.
Heading into the 2025 season, it’s Jackson (+450) who is the top choice at ESPN BET, followed closely by Joe Burrow (+600), Allen (+650), Patrick Mahomes (+650) and Jayden Daniels (+750).
The only non-quarterback among the top 25 in the odds is Saquon Barkley, who is 40-1 and has 16 players in front of him.
Who will take MVP honors this time around? Our analysts offer their best bets.
Check out up-to-date NFL MVP odds at ESPN BET
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Pamela Maldonado: If Baltimore survives this schedule, Lamar Jackson’s the guy (again). The roster’s stacked, coaching is sharp, and Jackson’s coming off a year statistically better than Josh Allen’s, just without the MVP trophy. That changes if the Ravens navigate a buzzsaw that includes the Chiefs, Bills, Lions, Rams, Texans and Dolphins, many on the road. The first six weeks are brutal, but he’s in his prime and thriving in Monken’s system. Clean up blitz reads and penalties, and this is a 13-win team. If that happens, +450 won’t be around long because voters won’t pass on him twice.
Matt Bowen: Burrow feels like an easy choice here, but we want to pick winners. Burrow led the NFL in ’24 with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Playing in one of the league’s most explosive — and pass-heavy — offenses with two top-tier targets in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Burrow is primed to produce high-end numbers again in ’25. And with Al Golden taking over as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator, this team has the look of a playoff contender, which puts Burrow in the MVP mix.
Eric Moody: Herbert is coming off one of the most efficient seasons of his career in 2024. The Chargers’ quarterback threw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while adding a career-high 306 rushing yards and two rushing scores. His 7.67 TD-to-INT ratio ranked eighth all time among quarterbacks with at least 15 touchdown passes in a season. Now Herbert gets reinforcements as the Chargers added explosive wide receiver Tre Harris, brought back Keenan Allen and upgraded the tight end room with Tyler Conklin. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are building a power-run identity to open up play-action and deep passing plays, which are Herbert’s strengths. Herbert is also aiming to incorporate more of Josh Allen’s running style to become a more dynamic quarterback. The past 12 MVP winners have all been quarterbacks, and since 2001, nearly every winner played on a team that won at least 11 games. If the Chargers match or exceed last season’s 11-6 record, Herbert’s efficiency, improved playmakers and rushing potential make him a strong contender at these odds.
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