Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen want to dethrone Matthew Stafford in 2026.So does Derrick Henry, who bulldozed his way to 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Baltimore Ravens‘ Week 1 win. Action Jackson is back for the Ravens with a new head coachgettyIf Joe Burrow flips a 6-11 record into the AFC North title and a premium playoff seeding, the veteran Cincinnati Bengals QB could be named the league’s best player. Jaxson Dart and Jahmyr Gibbs are MVP wild cards as Week 2 begins for the 2026 NFL season. You have to go back to 2012 to find the last time that a running back (Adrian Peterson) won the NFL’s biggest individual award, which means that it’s more likely that Lamar Jackson will add a third trophy to his case or Allen will capture a second award. With several big matchups looming in Week 2 (Lions-Bills, Steelers-Patriots, Giants-Rams), talkSPORT takes an inside look at the current NFL MVP race.10. Derrick Henry, Baltimore RavensHenry is headed toward the Hall of Fame and moving up the chart of the greatest running backs of all-time.“I think Derrick Henry could end his career with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history,” talkSPORT’s Will Gavin said on Inside the NFL. “He’s 40 away from doing it now.”The 2016 second-round pick out of Alabama has become the new standard at the NFL’s toughest position. 9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys No one is Super Bowl or bust more than Prescott.If he falls short again in 2026, the Cowboys must start searching for a new long-term answer at QB.If Dallas turns its top-heavy roster into an NFC East title and Prescott again puts up big numbers, this could be his magical MVP year. Adding first-round pick Caleb Downs on defense should help Prescott’s cause. But the Cowboys were flat in a Sunday Night Football defeat to Dart’s New York Giants, and Prescott has started 2026 in an 0-1 hole. Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams are early favorites to win MVPgetty8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia EaglesIt’s convenient for some to overlook Hurts in 2026.The reality is that he’s the perfect QB for an Eagles team that is a serious Super Bowl contender after Week 1.Hurts only helped his case by beating the division rival Washington Commanders, and winning during a week when A.J. Brown lost with the New England Patriots and was placed on injured reserve. 7. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals Call it a comeback for Joe Cool.No one doubts that Burrow is one of the best passing QBs in a QB-driven league.But can the two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year lead an elite Bengals team in 2026?Burrow will shoot to No. 1 if the Bengals are 4-0 entering Week 5 vs the Miami Dolphins.6. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville JaguarsLawrence played like a sixth-year franchise QB in Week 1.He was efficient, intelligent and dominant.Even with Travis Hunter underperfoming, the defending AFC South champions are a weekly threat when Lawrence completes 78 percent of his passes for 245 yards and four TDs.Week 1 was good for Trevor Lawrence and the JaguarsGettyNFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers Purdy was one of the best QBs in the NFL in 2023, passing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns, while finishing fourth in MVP voting.Two seasons later, he’s playing on a $265 million contract and is again one of the hottest names in the league after knocking off Stafford’s Rams in Australia. 4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens Action Jackson has a ton to prove in 2026.Don’t be surprised if the most talented QB in the league captures another MVP award and pairs with Henry to dominate the AFC on the way to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.It’s on new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter to get the best out of Jackson at a pivotal point in his career.Beating the Indianapolis Colts 41-23 on the road was an impressive start. 3. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears The new Iceman is trying to bring it back to 1985 for the Bears.It’s been 41 years since Chicago could believe in its team and QB on a Super Bowl level.This could be the year for Williams as NFL MVP — especially after the Bears made history by scoring 59 points in Week 1. NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsA healed Showtime Mahomes starting Week 1 is an early win for the Chiefs and the NFL.“Want to give all glory and thanks to God!” Mahomes posted after Kansas City started 1-0 by shredding the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. “Letting me be out there doing what i love again! ChiefsKingdom this is just the start see yall next week!”If Mahomes guides the revamped Chiefs past the Broncos in the AFC West, it’ll be hard not to hand a third MVP to Kansas City’s superstar QB.1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills The best QB in the NFL is also leading the MVP race.Pairing Allen with new head coach Joe Brady helped the Bills produce 36 points on the road in Week 1.A tougher test on Thursday Night Football vs the Lions awaits.Join talkSPORT’s dedicated US Sports YouTube channel every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows. On Tuesdays Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk to with players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.