The NFL has identified nine players as "dark-horse" candidates for the Most Valuable Player award for the 2026 season [1].
This designation highlights players who possess the performance potential to win the league's highest individual honor despite not being preseason favorites. By naming these candidates, the league and analysts are signaling a potential shift in the competitive landscape for the upcoming year.
Among the highlighted athletes are Sam Darnold, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, and Jordan Love, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers [1, 2]. Both players are viewed as emerging threats who could disrupt the typical hierarchy of MVP contenders if they maintain their current trajectories [2].
In addition to the quarterbacks from Seattle and Green Bay, the list includes a player from the Atlanta Falcons [3]. The specific identity of the Falcons player was not detailed in the primary announcement, but the inclusion of the franchise suggests a broad distribution of talent across the league [3].
Analysts said these nine players [1] were selected because they have demonstrated the ability to lead their teams and produce elite statistics. The "dark-horse" label typically applies to athletes who have the skill set to dominate the season but lack the historical voting pedigree of perennial favorites.
As the 2026 season approaches, the focus on these specific individuals creates a narrative of unpredictability. The inclusion of multiple quarterbacks suggests that the MVP race may once again be dominated by the signal-callers, though the presence of other positions on the list keeps the competition open.
“The NFL has identified nine players as "dark-horse" candidates for the Most Valuable Player award.”
The identification of dark-horse candidates serves as a strategic marker for the 2026 season, shifting attention toward players in ascending phases of their careers. By highlighting quarterbacks like Darnold and Love, the league emphasizes the volatility of the MVP race and the potential for new stars to displace established veterans in the national conversation.
