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The 2025 NFL season kicks off Thursday with the reigning champion Eagles hosting the divisional rival Cowboys.
With the day football fans have been waiting for just hours away, let’s take a look at the competition for this season’s MVP award.
Two-time MVPs Lamar Jackson (2019, 2023) and Patrick Mahomes (2018, 2022), and last year’s winner Josh Allen are among the favorites this year, with the Ravens’ quarterback as the top choice at most major sportsbooks.
Here’s our favorite pick to win the NFL MVP on the board before the season officially starts.
2025 NFL MVP odds
PlayerOddsLamar Jackson+490Josh Allen+500Patrick Mahomes+600Joe Burrow+600Jayden Daniels10/1Jordan Love16/1Jalen Hurts20/1Justin Herbert20/1Brock Purdy22/1CJ Stroud25/1Baker Mayfield27/1Jared Goff27/1Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Joe Burrow throws a touchdown in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders during the NFL Preseason 2025 on Aug. 18, 2025. Getty Images
Joe Burrow (+600, bet365)
A bad start for the Bengals kept Burrow from crashing the MVP race last season.
Burrow put up monster numbers in the best season of his career in 2024, throwing for 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
He comes into 2025 with no contract drama or injury troubles in his receiving corps.
The Bengals’ run game may be the best it’s ever been during the Burrow era due to the emergence of Chase Brown, who had 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground despite starting just 10 games last year.
Betting on the NFL?
After going just 9-8, voters couldn’t give Burrow the award last year.
But if Cincy can put a couple more games in the win column, Burrow will be in the thick of the conversation.
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.