The 2026 NFL season officially kicks off tomorrow night, and it’s time to look ahead at the players and coaches poised to take home the league’s biggest individual honors.
With Joe Burrow and Jonathan Taylor among our favorite 2026 NFL awards predictions, here are my NFL picks before Week 1 gets underway.
Predicting the 2026 NFL Award Winners
For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Pick |  Probability |
|---|---|
 Joe Burrow to win MVP |
11% |
 Jonathan Taylor to win Offensive Player of the Year |
5% |
 Brian Burns to win Defensive Player of the Year |
2% |
 Kyler Murray to win Comeback Player of the Year |
15% |
 Kellen Moore to win Coach of the Year |
9% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.
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MVP pick: Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow has finished fourth in MVP voting twice, most recently during a 2024 campaign in which the Cincinnati Bengals finished 9-8 and narrowly missed the playoffs.
Burrow led the NFL in both passing yards and touchdowns that year, and if he stays healthy, the Bengals should make the playoffs with their new and improved defense.
With Cincy's preseason win total set at 9.5, Burrow will reap the benefits in the MVP race if the Bengals reach double digits.
Offensive Player of the Year pick: Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor looked set to run away with OPOY honors last year, as the Indianapolis Colts running back was the odds-on favorite through the first half of the campaign.
Then came the collapse. The Colts stumbled down the stretch, losing nine of their final 10 regular-season games, which included noticeable dips in Taylor’s production.
Despite the team’s struggles, the Colts’ running back still finished with the second-most rushing yards in the NFL, falling just 26 short of James Cook.
Backed by a stout offensive line and a two-year, $44 million extension, Taylor remains a solid pick heading into a fresh campaign.
Defensive Player of the Year pick: Brian Burns
Not among the DPOY frontrunners is New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns, but he should be after recording 16.5 sacks last season, second only to Myles Garrett.
Burns also finished Top 5 among all edge rushers in pass-rush win rate on third down last season. With New York expected to contend for a playoff spot following its coaching staff overhaul, his odds could shorten quickly if the Giants start stacking wins early.
I wouldn't mind taking a shot on Burns before Week 1.
Comeback Player of the Year pick: Kyler Murray
The most intriguing challenger to Patrick Mahomes is Kyler Murray, who gets a fresh start with the Minnesota Vikings after playing just five games in 2025. He’ll be playing under QB whisperer Kevin O’Connell, who helped completely transform Sam Darnold during his time with the Vikings.
If O’Connell can help Murray rediscover that level of play, the former No. 1 overall pick should emerge as Mahomes’ biggest challenger.
Coach of the Year pick: Kellen Moore
The New Orleans Saints caught fire at the end of last season, winning four of their last five games. With a full season of Tyler Shough under center, Kellen Moore could see this team take a big step forward in his second year as NOLA's HC.
Based on last season’s win-loss records, the Saints are set to have the second-easiest schedule in the NFL this season. New Orleans could quietly emerge as a contender to win the NFC South, a title it hasn’t claimed since 2020.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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