Josh Allen is already the guy NFL insiders are betting on for the 2026 MVP award, and that, my friends, is a statement that should have every other quarterback in the league looking over their shoulder. This isn’t just some random hot take from a talking head. We’re talking about a serious, high-level poll conducted by The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, where 20 general managers, high-ranking executives, head coaches, and coordinators all weighed in. These are the absolute top brass, the folks who live and breathe this game, and they are unequivocally pointing to Allen as *the* guy.
The QB Poll That Just Dropped and Shocked Some
So, who did these heavy hitters pick? The Buffalo Bills quarterback snagged a whopping eight votes for MVP. Eight! That’s a massive, clear lead right out of the gate. Think about that for a second: eight of the most influential people in football looked at the landscape and said, “Yeah, Allen’s our MVP.” Trailing significantly behind him, Los Angeles Rams veteran Matthew Stafford and Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow each pulled in three votes. That’s a respectable showing for them, sure, but it’s less than half of Allen’s total. And then you get to the wild cards: Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott each netted two votes, which is interesting to see a non-QB get that kind of love. But here’s the kicker, the one that really makes you stop and think: Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson and the Kansas City Chiefs’ living legend, Patrick Mahomes, each received just one vote apiece. One! That detail alone tells you everything about the current vibe among the league’s elite. It screams that Allen is on a different trajectory right now.
Why Allen’s Got That Unstoppable Vibe
Honestly, this kind of overwhelming recognition for Allen isn’t all that surprising when you dig into it. The dude was voted the second-best player in the entire NFL by his peers this week. His fellow players, the guys who have to actually face him and try to stop him, put him second on that list. That’s a level of respect you can’t fake, and it speaks volumes about his talent and impact. The 30-year-old is coming off an absolute monster 2025 season where he put up numbers that scream pure dominance. He threw for a massive 3,668 passing yards, fired off 25 touchdowns, and kept his interceptions to a manageable 10. But he’s not just a pocket passer, is he? Allen showcased his ridiculous dual-threat ability, adding another 579 rushing yards and four rushing scores. Those are the stats of a player who can take over a game with his arm or his legs, and that’s precisely why the league’s insiders are already penciling him in for more hardware.
What This Means for the Rest of the League
Allen is clearly geared up for another colossal year in 2026. The stage is set, the expectations are sky-high, and the league’s most powerful voices have cast their votes. This isn’t just about a prediction; it’s about the tone being set for the entire season. Can anyone step up and truly challenge this early anointing? Will Mahomes or Burrow or Stafford somehow rally and prove the insiders wrong? The rest of the NFL better be ready to bring their absolute A-game because Josh Allen is coming for that MVP trophy, and he has the respect of the entire league behind him already. This season is going to be wild, and it feels like we already know who the king of the hill is.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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