Updated September 9, 2026
The NFL Offensive Player of the Year race features several proven stars with realistic paths to the award. Running backs occupy multiple places near the top of the market, but an elite group of receivers gives this race far more depth than being a simple battle for the rushing title. The current pricing largely reflects projected workloads, supporting casts, health, and what voters have rewarded in recent seasons.
Polymarket currently views Jahmyr Gibbs as the player to beat, though his advantage is slim. Ja’Marr Chase follows closely, and the next tier is crowded enough that the market is making a clear statement that there is plenty of uncertainty at this point in the year.
The pricing also highlights how strongly traders value players capable of producing huge yardage totals without playing quarterback. Gibbs and Saquon Barkley have paths through rushing and receiving production, while Chase, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba can build award cases by threatening the league lead in catches and yards. Bijan Robinson is another dual-threat running back option that should not be overlooked.
Gibbs has the biggest statistical ceiling in the field. Detroit traded David Montgomery during the offseason, opening the door for Gibbs to operate as the unquestioned lead back after spending his first three seasons sharing significant work. Lions running backs coach Tashard Choice said this summer that Gibbs looked better than at any previous point in his professional career. Detroit has also made clear that it expects a larger workload for him. For a player with Gibbs’ speed and receiving ability, added volume could create the type of all-purpose season that attracts award voters.
Chase remains one of the top candidates because his production has survived almost every circumstance Cincinnati has faced. He caught 125 passes for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 despite the Bengals using three quarterbacks. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons, and Joe Burrow enters 2026 healthy. Chase was limited late in the preseason program by a knee issue, but a full season with Burrow gives Chase a legitimate shot at leading the NFL in receptions, yards, or both.
Barkley remains one of the league's premier volume runners and enters 2026 as Philadelphia's clear starter. He has recorded more than 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons with the Eagles and has exceeded 300 carries, including the playoffs in both years. That workload is both his biggest selling point and the main reason for caution, as he could see his workload reduced in a new offense.
Robinson may be the most interesting alternative to Gibbs among the running backs. Atlanta has built a large portion of its offense around his versatility, and his ability as both a runner and receiver gives him several ways to compile elite totals. The biggest question is whether the Falcons can generate enough scoring opportunities for Robinson to finish with an award-winning touchdown total.
Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions and finished second with 1,715 receiving yards in 2025. That production makes his placement outside the very top tier intriguing. Matthew Stafford remains the key to Nacua's candidacy, since Los Angeles is considerably more dangerous offensively with Stafford available.
The defending Offensive Player of the Year cannot be dismissed. Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793 last season while also recording 119 catches and 10 touchdowns. Seattle returns quarterback Sam Darnold and all five starting offensive linemen from its championship team. Repeating an award-winning season is difficult, but Smith-Njigba has already demonstrated that his ceiling belongs with the league's best receivers.
My pick is Jahmyr Gibbs. The biggest reason for that is opportunity. He already possessed award-level efficiency while sharing Detroit's backfield, and Montgomery's departure changes his volume equation significantly. Gibbs does not need to become a traditional 25-carry runner every week. A larger rushing share combined with his receiving work can put him near the top of the league in yards from scrimmage while giving him a strong chance to finish among the touchdown leaders.
