2026 NFL MVP futures: The case for Brock Purdy to be the favorite over Josh Allen
Is Allen or Purdy the one to beat for the MVP award? The numbers and projections say there's a clear answer
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Early in the second quarter of the 49ers' game on Sunday against the rival Seahawks, Brock Purdy was flushed out of the pocket. He scrambled to his left but managed a gain of just two yards before being tackled by Seattle's Devon Witherspoon.
The play forced a San Francisco punt, and a fired-up Witherspoon reveled by hitting the 6-foot-1 Purdy with the Too Small celebration. "I didn't even know that," Purdy said after the game. "So thanks for letting me know."
But as he has done all season Purdy played big against—and got the last laugh on—Witherspoon and the Seahawks. He led two fourth quarter scoring drives to give the 49ers to a 32-29 victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions and establish San Francisco (5-0) as arguably the best team in the NFL.
The performance also solidified Purdy, a former Mr. Irrelevant as the last player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, as a major MVP contender. Sportsbooks currently list Purdy at +300 to win the award, behind only Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+250).
But there's an argument that Purdy may be the one to beat in the MVP race.
Should Allen or Purdy be the NFL MVP favorite? ... Join SportsLine to see whether to back the San Francisco or Buffalo quarterback!
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