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 regardless of shedding an amazing primary receiver.”
Within the AFC West, Cowherd projected a postseason run for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, citing improved offensive line play as the first issue.
“The final two years within the playoffs, he went in with the thirtieth offensive line and the twenty first,” Cowherd mentioned. “This seems to be the primary offensive line. Bear in mind, he has been hit, sacked, and rushed greater than any quarterback within the sport since he entered the league in 2020.”
Cowherd added that frontline well being and training continuity will unlock Herbert’s postseason potential.
“They’ve three new options, each tackles again. This will probably be his greatest offensive line, in my view, his greatest offensive coordinator. No less than two playoff wins, and I proper now this morning assume they could possibly be a co-favorite to get to the AFC Championship.”
Packers End Final In NFC North
Within the NFC North, Cowherd predicted a shift in standings, projecting the Inexperienced Bay Packers to complete in fourth place in a aggressive division.
“Initially, Ben Johnson is in 12 months 2 [as the Chicago Bears’ head coach]. Kyler Murray, I feel, goes to be successful [for the Minnesota Vikings], and Detroit to me simply has the most effective complete roster [in the division],” Cowherd mentioned. “This isn’t the identical NFC North the Packers dominated. All 4 groups had successful data final yr.”
Cowherd highlighted Inexperienced Bay’s defensive struggles down the stretch final season as soon as edge rusher Micah Parsons acquired harm.
“The Packers, without Micah last year, went 0-5 and allowed 29 factors a recreation. He is not going to be enjoying, we presume, till October. Packers could also be the most effective fourth-place workforce within the NFL by an extended shot. They end final.”
Broncos Will Miss The Postseason
Cowherd additionally projected that the Denver Broncos will miss the postseason after showing within the AFC Championship final yr. After a season closely reliant on successful tight contests, Cowherd expects regression for Sean Payton’s workforce as rival AFC contenders enhance.
“NFL-best 11-2 in one-score video games. I imply that is not going to occur once more,” Cowherd mentioned. “Additionally they trailed in 15 video games. Bo Nix is coming off two surgical procedures on his proper ankle.”
Cowherd defined that rival roster upgrades throughout the AFC, coupled with new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, will make a repeat postseason berth tough.
“They’ve a brand new play caller, and keep in mind the Ravens, the Bengals, the Chiefs, the Chargers are all going to be higher within the AFC,” Cowherd mentioned. “I feel that everyone knows that if [Joe] Burrow’s upright, Cincinnati’s going to be a greater workforce. I imply, Herbert’s acquired his greatest offensive line and his greatest offensive coordinator.
“You may’t go 11-2 in one-score video games and never regress. I feel Denver’s good. I feel they’ve a particular coach and particular gamers. I feel they are going to narrowly miss the playoffs.”
Lastly, Cowherd backed Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to win the Most Invaluable Participant award, evaluating his outlook in a second-year system to earlier breakout seasons below head coach Ben Johnson.
“First of all, he’s got the seventh-best odds currently,” Cowherd mentioned. “Second yr in Ben Johnson’s offense. Go have a look at Jared Goff’s second yr in Ben Johnson’s offense, and he isn’t almost the athlete. Jared Goff popped in yr two. He actually has the bottom interception share in league historical past — [he’s thrown] 13 in 34 profession begins, and that is the start of it. He’ll in all probability throw fewer as a veteran quarterback, second within the NFL in massive performs.”
Cowherd added that Chicago’s offensive expertise provides Williams a really perfect supporting forged.
“He additionally has great offensive weapons,” Cowherd mentioned. “Lots of people thought they need to draft an edge. They went and acquired one other good tight finish. They have three receivers I like. They have two working backs. I fear a bit of bit about left sort out, however Caleb additionally has the flexibility, as you are watching, he would not simply make performs; he makes spectacular performs.
“It’s going to be simple to root for a man who’s not a stat patter, who’s in an amazing division. He is successful shut video games. He is successful them with dramatic performs late. That is the form of story the media likes.”
Colin Cowherd’s 5 Daring Predictions: Justin Herbert wins a number of playoff video games, Broncos miss playoffs, Maxx Crosby’s future | The Herd
