It’s been three months since the Seattle Seahawks systematically dispatched the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. But that also means that we’re only three months from the return of NFL action, albeit of the preseason variety. That puts us right in the middle of the NFL offseason, making it the perfect time to reevaluate the futures board.
We’re perusing the BetMGM betting data to see where money is flowing in the players award futures market!
NFL MVP
Unquestionably, NFL MVP is the most prestigious award everyone is gunning for. It’s been 20 years since a non-quarterback last claimed that distinction, and the early money is flowing toward some unsuspecting signal-callers.
After struggling through his rookie campaign, Caleb Williams had had a resurgent season in 2025. The former first-overall pick led the Bears to an 11-6 record, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards while adding 27 touchdowns. Bettors of all ilks are betting an that upward trajectory continuing, making Williams the most-bet player in both ticket count (11.8%) and handle (13.8%). Moreover, that handle-heavy split also implies that he’s a sharp backed candidate. We’re anticipating some downward movement in his price, with Williams falling from his +1600 perch.
Patrick Mahomes is the only other player collecting a double-digit handle, and his splits are more pronounced than any other name on the board. Currently, the Chiefs’ field general has accounted for 11.1% of the betting handle, nearly double his 5.7% ticket count. Not surprisingly, BetMGM has moved Mahomes up their board, going from +1100 to +1000.
The other name worth monitoring closely is Josh Allen. A perennial candidate, Allen remains the betting favorite at +600. With 9.7% of the handle and 6.2% of the tickets coming in on him, the Bills’ quarterback will be looking to reclaim his MVP mantle in 2026.
Offensive Player of the Year
Like MVP betting, there are three players who stand out in the Offensive Player of the Year market. Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Puka Nacua have already accounted for nearly 40.0% of the betting handle.
Gibbs is the betting favorite, and also the most publicly-backed candidate in the field. The Lions’ running back has a staggering 14.1% ticket count, backed by a lesser-than 13.7% of the money. Operating as the lone back in Detroit, Gibbs is primed to see a sharp increase in his production next season.
On the flip side, Robinson and Nacua are attracting a hefty proportion of sharp money. The Falcons’ running back is collecting 12.7% of the handle while being written on 8.7% of the tickets. More impressively, Nacua’s 12.5% handle blows his 5.1% ticket count out of the water.
Defensive Player of the Year
There’s also a triple-threat of stalwarts looking to claim their position as the Defensive Player of the Year. Myles Garrett is the presumptive favorite, but he trails Maxx Crosby and Will Anderson Jr. in terms of betting action.
Even at age-30, Garrett was unstoppable. He set the NFL record for sacks last season, getting to opposing quarterbacks 23 times. That makes it eight straight years of double-digit sacks and three years running as an All-Pro. Bettors are keen on Garrett maintaining his track record, backing him with 17.2% of the handle.
Still, many more are loading up on Will Anderson and Maxx Crosby. Anderson is marginally below Garrett in terms of ticket count but is backed by a heftier 19.2% of the betting money. Like his on-field play, Crosby is decimating both of those benchmarks. Heading into OTAs, the Raiders’ edge rusher has a whopping 16.6% ticket count and 30.0% of the handle.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Clearly, this is Fernando Mendoza’s award to lose. The Raiders’ first-overall selection and newly-minted franchise quarterback opened as a +400 frontrunner. That short price didn’t stop an influx of money, with Mendoza leading ticket count and handle by a wide margin.
As it stands, Mendoza’s 16.0% ticket count is nearly 3.0% ahead of the next closest contender, while his 53.7% handle is almost four-times more than Jadarian Price. We’re anticipating big things from the Raiders’ quarterback in 2026, and the betting market reflects is presumed ascension.
Price appears to be the only player who could catch Mendoza as Offensive Rookie of the Year. Price will have his chance to shine in the Seahawks’ backfield, but he’ll also have to fend off former teammate Jeremiyah Love as the premier rookie running back.
Love has the shortest odds on the board, but his 6.8% ticket count and 4.5% handle trail Mendoza and Price by a substantial margin.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
There is far less consensus among the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Five different players have a handle north of 6.7%, and six different players have betting odds below +850. Still, there is one rookie who sharps as targeting as their guy.
Dillon Thieneman played second-fiddle to Caleb Downs ahead of the NFL Draft. Both safeties were projected top picks, with Downs slipping to the Cowboys at 11, and Thieneman going to the Bears at 25. Downs had the edge in the draft, but Thieneman is the clear favorite in the betting market.
Downs’ 16.5% ticket count is dwarfed by his 7.7% handle. That difference implies that most of the money coming in on the Ohio State standout is of the public variety. Conversely, Thieneman’s 12.4% handle is the second-highest on the board, and is over double his 5.8% ticket count. As inferred, that reflects a bevy of big wagers, predicting the Bears’ safety emerges as the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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