Despite having one of the best overall seasons of his 10-year career after completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,552 yards with 30 touchdowns, respectively ranking third and fourth in the NFL in those last two categories, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was not among the five finalists for 2025 NFL MVP, which was ultimately won by Matthew Stafford in the tightest of races with Drake Maye.
The reason Prescott failed to make that final five was painfully obvious, as the Cowboys finished with a losing record at 7-9-1, and players from losing teams simply don't make the short list for the biggest individual award the league has to offer—at least the biggest in terms of what happens on the field, that is, as the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award should be viewed as more important. But you get the point.
Now, the reason America's Team had said losing record was also painfully obvious, as the Dallas defense was dreadful this past season, ranking dead last in scoring by giving up 30.1 points per game and third-to-last in total yards allowed, surrendering 377.0 per contest.
But what's done is done, and with the 2025 campaign now officially at an end following the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl 60 victory over the New England Patriots this past Sunday, the full focus of the NFL world is now on the 2026 season.
Naturally, NFL oddsmakers wasted little time following the Seahawks' win in posting probabilities for next season, and while the Cowboys as a whole didn't fare very well in the early Super Bowl 61 odds, not even cracking the top half in the league, Prescott was given solid odds to put himself in the thick of the MVP race.
Dak Prescott sits in solo seventh in the way-too-early 2026 NFL MVP odds
In this first wave of 2026 NFL MVP odds, Prescott sits in solo seventh at +1300, interestingly putting him one slot ahead of the guy who just won it, as Stafford sits in eighth at +1400.
Just as interesting is the fact that every quarterback in front of him plays in the AFC, as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Drake Maye take up the top six slots. So, Prescott getting the first spot from the NFC should be seen as a little flattering.
While there's obviously no guarantee Dak can put up the same kinds of numbers he did this past year, it certainly seems like Jerry Jones is going to give him that chance, as it's looking more and more like the Cowboys are going to bring back George Pickens for at least one more season by slapping the franchise tag on him.
But even if that happens, Prescott will need the Dallas defense to vastly improve to have any hope of winning NFL MVP—and, of course, a Super Bowl.
The figures you'll see below, of course, will naturally fluctuate between now and the start of the season as rosters change in free agency and the draft. But it's entertaining to have this baseline to start, so we can compare down the line. Here's a look at the top 10 in the early 2026 NFL MVP odds.
Player | Team | 2026 NFL MVP Odds |
|---|---|---|
Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | +550 |
Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | +650 |
Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | +1000 |
Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | +1000 |
Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | +1000 |
Drake Maye | New England Patriots | +1000 |
Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | +1300 |
Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams | +1400 |
Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers | +1500 |
Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears | +1500 |
All betting odds courtesy of DraftKings. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. The content in this article should not be considered betting advice. Gambling involves risk, and one should only gamble with funds that one can comfortably afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.