Super Bowl LX is officially in the books, but the NFL betting grind never really stops — especially when you’re a VSiN subscriber, with full access to all of our written content and our 24/7 network. As the crew at Levi’s Stadium continues to clear out the Seahawks-colored confetti and offseason storylines start to brew, oddsmakers have already turned the page to next season. Several sportsbooks already posted early futures for Super Bowl LXI and the 2026 regular-season MVP award. That said, now is a great time to find some value before free agency, the draft, and training camp shake up the board.

2026 MVP Dart Throws

Jayden Daniels (22-1): Daniels isn’t too far removed from a rookie campaign in which he threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns, while also adding 891 yards and six scores on the ground. Daniels was also Pro Football Focus’ fifth-ranked quarterback when looking at Player Grade in 2024, finishing the season at 90.6. It just hasn’t been long since Daniels actually turned in an MVP-caliber season, and the only thing standing in his way is health.

Daniels’ playing style definitely makes him vulnerable to injury, but some of the things he has dealt with early in his career have just been unlucky. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s a lot healthier next season, making him a good value play to win this award at 22-1.

There’s just no reason he should be available at nearly three times the price he was heading into last season, especially with David Blough stepping in as offensive coordinator. Kliff Kingsbury has a good reputation as a play caller, but people around the NFL seem to be extremely high on Blough. Perhaps we’ll see a few more downfield throws than the bubble-screens Kingsbury liked. Daniels throws an accurate deep-ball, and it isn’t crazy to expect him to look a little better in a new system.

Cam Ward (65-1): The Titans hired a defensive-minded head coach in Robert Saleh, but they also brought in one of the best offensive coordinators on the market: Brian Daboll. Say what you want about what Daboll did with the Giants, but he did some great work with Jaxson Dart last year. I was actually a little surprised New York was willing to move on from Daboll, as Dart’s development should be the most important thing for the franchise. Well, one team’s trash could be another team’s treasure, and I now anticipate we’ll see some good things out of Ward in Year 2.

Ward had an up-and-down rookie season, but he ended with 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only seven picks. He also had some really strong games down the stretch. In a much better scheme, with better weapons around him, I’m not sure we can rule out a major leap from the former Miami star.

Where will those weapons come from? Tennessee has more cap space than any team in football heading into this offseason, so this team can definitely put some playmakers around Ward — and continue to beef up the offensive line. The Titans could also look to add a skill-position player with the No. 4 pick. If not, they’ll surely do something on the offensive side of the ball at No. 35 or No. 66.

It just isn’t hard to imagine a scenario in which Ward looks a lot sharper and Tennessee flirts with the kind of last-to-first jump that has become extremely common in the NFL. Will that be enough for him to win MVP? I’m not sure. But it should have Ward a little higher on the oddsboard than he is now.

Tyler Shough (100-1): This is definitely the most absurd one of the bunch, but Shough finished with an overall PFF grade of at least 70 in six of the final 10 games. He really looked poised, confident, and dynamic under center, showing the world why he was once viewed as an elite college prospect. Well, in Year 2 under Kellen Moore, are we sure he can’t establish himself as a top-10 quarterback in the league — and vault himself into the MVP conversation?

Like the Titans, it isn’t crazy to imagine a worst-to-first move from New Orleans, as the NFC South remains the most winnable division in sports. With that in mind, with 10 or so wins, Shough could be viewed as the leader of a strong NFC team.

The Saints also happen to have a good group of playmakers around Shough, with Chris Olave being somebody that emerged as a star last year. And I just don’t think anybody should be stunned if another year with Moore gets Shough to another level in his development. Moore has long been viewed as an elite offensive mind, and Shough has all the tools to be a special player — including a useful set of legs, which is always helpful at the quarterback spot.

Super Bowl LXI Value Plays

Los Angeles Chargers (15-1): Super Bowl XLI will take place in SoFi Stadium, so it’d be pretty cool to see Los Angeles in the game. Is it possible? I think so. One of the biggest weaknesses for the Chargers last season was the offensive line, but that wasn’t a personnel issue. They have the pieces required to have one of the better lines in football, as Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are two tremendous players up front. However, both of those guys were injured last season, leaving Justin Herbert to get absolutely demolished down the stretch. Well, with better blocking, Herbert should return to his place near the top of the league’s quarterback rankings.

Herbert will also be aided by the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is highly respected as a play caller. Things didn’t quite work out for McDaniel in South Beach, but a lot of that had to do with Tua Tagovailoa regressing, a ton of injuries throughout the depth chart, and a weak defense. In Los Angeles, McDaniel will simply be asked to build an elite offense with a very good quarterback, some great wide receivers, and an awesome running back in Omarion Hampton. This could end up being a top-five offense in football.

The Chargers already had a top-10 defense in football, finishing the regular season with an EPA per play allowed of -0.077. Adding an elite offense on top of that could make this a true Super Bowl contender — especially in a somewhat open AFC. However, it should be noted that Los Angeles always tends to look like a great team on paper. Let’s see if the “Paper Kings” can earn a real crown.

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Chicago Bears (27-1): I’m a little stunned to see 27-1 odds available for Chicago. The Bears looked like a great football team in Ben Johnson’s first year on the sidelines, going 11-6 to win the NFC North and then winning a playoff game against the Packers. They also put up a real fight in a loss to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. Well, with Chicago being a younger team, why can’t the group take another step forward — pushing towards Super Bowl contention?

Last season, Caleb Williams and Co. finished eighth in the NFL in EPA per play (0.076), and it isn’t out of the question that they’ll be a top-five offense in Year 2 under Johnson. Chicago just has to find a way to inch closer to top-10 on defense, but they have some flexibility to bring in some help on that side of the ball. It’s also likely they’ll invest heavily on defense in the 2026 NFL Draft.

I know the Bears are about to play a first-place schedule, which is why people might be quick to doubt them right away. However, the Bears have shown they can hang with elite competition, so it’s hard to worry too much about them. I also don’t think the Packers or Lions will be a whole lot better in 2026, meaning Chicago could win the division again. Green Bay lost defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was one of the better assistants in the league. That’ll be a hard guy to replace, especially with Matt LaFleur looking like something of a lame-duck head coach. Things could be real awkward in Wisconsin soon. I also hated Dan Campbell’s decision to hire Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. He didn’t do enough with the Cardinals to prove that he’s the guy to get the Detroit offense back to Johnson-level production.

Minnesota Vikings (60-1): If Chicago doesn’t end up winning the NFC North, it could be Minnesota that ends up back on top — and looking like a Super Bowl contender. J.J. McCarthy’s first season as a starter was definitely a wild ride, as he ended the year with only 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 picks. His QBR of 35.6 was also abysmal. However, assuming he’s the starter again, I find it hard to believe he won’t be a lot better with another full offseason to get comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s system.

I also think Minnesota will prioritize the backup quarterback spot, as the team is too good to be in a situation in which Carson Wentz — or Max Brosmer — is being counted on to win games. Those two lost a combined four games as starters last year. With a more proven signal-caller behind McCarthy, or starting over him, there’s no reason the Vikings can’t win 10 or 11 games and make last season look like a complete fluke.

Minnesota was able to keep Brian Flores around, as yet another coaching cycle went by with the league’s best defensive coordinator failing to get another head coaching job. But that’s a great thing for the Vikings. They finished No. 3 in the NFL in EPA per play allowed (-0.087) last season, and they should be a top-five unit again in 2026.

The defense really makes Minnesota an enticing long-term value play. There’s just a high floor for this group with that defense keeping the team in games, and I really think the offense is going to pop in 2026.

At 60-1, there’s just too much to like here. Also, what if there’s some truth to the Joe Burrow rumors? If the Vikings land him, these odds probably fall all the way to 10-1.

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