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. 

Eagles

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."

Chargers

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