# MVP race heats up after two weeks

> Josh Allen leads early, but Kenneth Walker and others are making strong cases.
- Title: MVP race heats up after two weeks · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Josh Allen leads early, but Kenneth Walker and others are making strong cases. Quarterbacks dominate MVP voting, but a running back and receiver are mounting…
- Keywords: nfl, mvp, josh allen, kenneth walker, jaxon smith-njigba, brock purdy, joe burrow, devin lloyd, kirk cousins, tyler shough, dak prescott, derrick henry
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-mvp-candidates-after-week-2-josh-allen-kenneth-walker
- Published: 2026-09-23T13:12:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nfl, mvp, josh allen, kenneth walker, jaxon smith-njigba, brock purdy, joe burrow, devin lloyd, kirk cousins, tyler shough, dak prescott, derrick henry
## Allen leads MVP race early
Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, has five touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns through two games with zero interceptions. He leads the NFL in adjusted yards per attempt at 11.4 with a 125.8 passer rating.

> If the MVP vote happened today, Allen would be the winner.
## Walker makes immediate impact
Kenneth Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, has rushed for 290 yards and a touchdown while catching six passes for 61 yards in his first two games with the Chiefs. He's emerged as Kansas City's best free agency signing.
## Smith-Njigba chases receiver history
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, has 277 receiving yards and four touchdowns through two games. He's making a case to become the first receiver ever to win league MVP.
## Purdy leads undefeated 49ers
Brock Purdy has completed 80.4% of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception while leading San Francisco to a 2-0 start. He leads the NFL in passing success rate at 67.9%.
## Burrow keeps Bengals undefeated
Joe Burrow has led Cincinnati to a 2-0 start despite modest statistics, completing 68.2% of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception. His leadership and health are key to his MVP candidacy.
## Lloyd makes defensive case
Devin Lloyd had 13 tackles in Week 1 and posted two interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown, nine tackles, three pass breakups and a sack against the Falcons. No defensive player has won MVP since 1986.
## Cousins leads surprise Raiders
Kirk Cousins, 38, has thrown six touchdown passes through two games and is tied for the league lead. The Raiders are 2-0 and the NFL's biggest surprise story with Cousins throwing three touchdowns in each game.
## Shough flourishes in New Orleans
Tyler Shough leads the NFL in passing yards with 662 through two games while throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions. The 27-year-old second-year quarterback is thriving in Kellen Moore's offense.
## Prescott ties Cowboys record
Dak Prescott is completing 73.8% of his passes with six touchdown passes and one interception, tied for the league lead. He passed Tony Romo as the Cowboys' career leader in touchdown passes.
## Henry chases touchdown record
Derrick Henry has four rushing touchdowns through two games, tied for the league lead. He rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 against the Colts.
## QBs still dominate MVP voting
A quarterback has won MVP every year since 2012, when Adrian Peterson won it. Only two defensive players have ever won, and no receiver has ever won despite Jerry Rice's 22 touchdown catches in 1987.
## Key takeaway

Quarterbacks dominate MVP voting, but a running back and receiver are mounting early challenges in 2026.