2026 NFL Bold Predictions: Why Caleb Williams Will Win MVP And More Picks

The Chicago Bears haven't had an MVP winner in nearly 50 years, but maybe 2026 will be the season that they'll have someone crowned as the year's top player. 

On a recent edition of "The Herd," FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd gave five bold predictions for the upcoming season, including who he thinks will win MVP. He also made bold projections on a pair of playoff teams from last season finishing outside the postseason picture, along with a star quarterback finally breaking through in the playoffs.

Here are Cowherd's five bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season. 

Cowherd first addressed the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts, who will lead the offense without a big target from years prior.

Despite concerns about the offense adapting without wide receiver A.J. Brown as the focal point, Cowherd believes Hurts will not only succeed, but surpass his previous level with Brown by spreading the ball around.

"If you go back to last season, when he didn't target A.J. Brown, he completed 71% of his throws, 18 touchdowns, and three picks," Cowherd said. "Over the last two years, when he targeted A.J. Brown, when A.J. Brown had eight or more targets, the Eagles were 9-6. When he wasn't a focus of the game plan, and he had fewer than seven or fewer targets last two years, 13-0. 

"This is Dez Bryant to Dak [Prescott]. Jalen Hurts will flourish despite losing a great number one receiver."

In the AFC West, Cowherd projected a postseason run for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, citing improved offensive line play as the primary factor.

"The last two years in the playoffs, he went in with the 30th offensive line and the 21st," Cowherd said. "This appears to be the first offensive line. Remember, he has been hit, sacked, and rushed more than any quarterback in the sport since he entered the league in 2020."

Cowherd added that frontline health and coaching continuity will unlock Herbert's postseason potential.

"They have three new features, both tackles back. This will be his best offensive line, in my opinion, his best offensive coordinator. At least two playoff wins, and I right now this morning think they could be a co-favorite to get to the AFC Championship."

In the NFC North, Cowherd predicted a shift in standings, projecting the Green Bay Packers to finish in fourth place in a competitive division.

"First of all, Ben Johnson is in Year 2 [as the Chicago Bears' head coach]. Kyler Murray, I think, is going to be a hit [for the Minnesota Vikings], and Detroit to me easily has the best entire roster [in the division]," Cowherd said. "This is not the same NFC North the Packers dominated. All four teams had winning records last year." 

Cowherd highlighted Green Bay's defensive struggles down the stretch last season once edge rusher Micah Parsons got hurt.

"The Packers, without Micah last year, went 0-5 and allowed 29 points a game. He's not going to be playing, we presume, until October. Packers may be the best fourth-place team in the NFL by a long shot. They finish last."

Cowherd also projected that the Denver Broncos will miss the postseason after appearing in the AFC Championship last year. After a season heavily reliant on winning tight contests, Cowherd expects regression for Sean Payton's team as rival AFC contenders improve.

"NFL-best 11-2 in one-score games. I mean that's not going to happen again," Cowherd said. "They also trailed in 15 games. Bo Nix is coming off two surgeries on his right ankle." 

Cowherd explained that rival roster upgrades across the AFC, coupled with new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, will make a repeat postseason berth difficult. 

"They have a new play caller, and remember the Ravens, the Bengals, the Chiefs, the Chargers are all going to be better in the AFC," Cowherd said. "I think that we all know that if [Joe] Burrow's upright, Cincinnati's going to be a better team. I mean, Herbert's got his best offensive line and his best offensive coordinator. 

"You can't go 11-2 in one-score games and not regress. I think Denver's good. I think they have a special coach and special players. I think they're going to narrowly miss the playoffs."

Finally, Cowherd backed Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to win the Most Valuable Player award, comparing his outlook in a second-year system to previous breakout seasons under head coach Ben Johnson.

"First of all, he's got the seventh-best odds currently," Cowherd said. "Second year in Ben Johnson's offense. Go look at Jared Goff's second year in Ben Johnson's offense, and he's not nearly the athlete. Jared Goff popped in year two. He literally has the lowest interception percentage in league history — [he's thrown] 13 in 34 career starts, and this is the beginning of it. He'll probably throw fewer as a veteran quarterback, second in the NFL in big plays."

Cowherd added that Chicago's offensive talent gives Williams an ideal supporting cast.

"He also has tremendous offensive weapons," Cowherd said. "A lot of people thought they should draft an edge. They went and got another good tight end. They've got three receivers I like. They've got two running backs. I worry a little bit about left tackle, but Caleb also has the ability, as you're watching, he doesn't just make plays; he makes spectacular plays.

"It'll be easy to root for a guy who's not a stat patter, who's in a great division. He's winning close games. He's winning them with dramatic plays late. That's the kind of story the media likes."

Colin Cowherd's 5 Bold Predictions: Justin Herbert wins multiple playoff games, Broncos miss playoffs, Maxx Crosby's future | The Herd