As the 2026 NFL season reaches Week 10, the Most Valuable Player award remains a quarterback-dominated race, with five signal-callers emerging as leading candidates. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen enters Monday Night Football against Minnesota as the favorite, but Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love are mounting strong challenges.
Allen has built his case with standout performances in prime-time games, including a five-touchdown effort against Detroit in Week 2 and a career-second-best 121 rushing yards in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. Through nine weeks, Allen has thrown for 1,793 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 270 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
Burrow has surged during a four-game win streak, posting a 16-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a 132.0 passer rating, and averaging 303.8 passing yards per game. He leads the league in completion rate (74%), passing touchdowns (23), passing yards per game (298.3), and passer rating (114.8). However, his early-season struggles against top defenses and the Bengals' weak rushing attack temper his candidacy.
Love leads the NFL in passing yards (2,618) and has thrown multiple touchdowns in all nine starts, despite operating behind an offensive line that allows one of the highest quick-pressure rates and the league's worst rushing offense (68.2 yards per game). His 19-6 TD-INT ratio and 97.9 passer rating reflect the difficulty of his situation.
San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy ranks fourth despite a league-high 81.5 ESPN QBR, a 56.1% success rate, and the NFL's lowest sack rate (3.28%). His strong supporting cast, including elite pass protection and running back Christian McCaffrey, reduces his perceived individual value relative to peers.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence rounds out the top five. While his basic counting stats lag due to Jacksonville's run-heavy approach and blowout wins, he leads the league in on-target throw rate (82.9%), passing touchdown rate (8%), and adjusted yards per attempt (9.4). Lawrence's efficiency is elite, but limited volume and fewer signature moments hinder his MVP chances.
The race remains fluid heading into Week 10, with Allen's Monday night matchup against Minnesota's top-ranked defense and Burrow's Sunday night showdown with Pittsburgh likely to shift the narrative.
