As the 2026 NFL season kicks off with the New England Patriots hosting the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, league executives and scouts have weighed in on who they expect to win major awards by the end of the year. The Los Angeles Rams enter as the trendy Super Bowl pick, but the era of ultimate parity means anything can happen over the course of the season.

For MVP, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals narrowly edges out the competition despite concerns about his durability. The top four quarterbacks in their primes -- Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Burrow -- have consistently been predicted for the honor from 2021 through 2025. Burrow's 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in his last full season (2024) make a strong case, though health remains the biggest question mark.

On offense, Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions is the favorite for Offensive Player of the Year. The running back has made three consecutive Pro Bowls and scored 39 rushing touchdowns despite sharing carries. His ability to excel as the lead back in what projects to be a high-powered Lions offense makes him a compelling choice.

Other award predictions include Justin Herbert and Josh Allen as dark horse MVP candidates, with several executives noting that Allen is the safest bet among quarterbacks due to his consistent performance and lack of major injury concerns.