Nov 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after a sack during the third quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

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2025-26 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds: Another see-saw battle incoming

The NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year battle is one of the most thrilling aspects of the season. It is usually too close to call since edge rushers, defensive tackles, linebackers, and cornerbacks, all tip their hats in the ring in the unpredictable race.

Last season, the Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II clinched his maiden DPOY award. Will he repeat the heroics or will the script flip this time? Let us look at the early odds related to the 2025-26 AP Defensive Player Of the Year award.

Myles Garrett: +700 at BetMGM

Per BetMGM, Myles Garrett is one of the hot favorites to win the DPOY honors. The Cleveland Browns defensive end won the award in 2023, he has been there, and done that. The 29-year-old placed third in the voting last season. He had 14.0 sacks in 17 games(2nd) while compiling 40 tackles(2nd), a career-high number.

Myles Garrett for DPOY: +700 at BetMG M.

Aidan Hutchinson: +700 at BetMGM

Per BetMGM, Aidan Hutchinson is one of the top two favorites to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Detroit Lions defensive end had a red-hot start to the 2024-25 season, tallying 1.5 sacks per game and 19 tackles in five games. However, he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 6. His last season’s promise is a huge reason why he is placed this high in the race.

Aidan Hutchinson for DPOY: +750 at BetMGM

T.J. Watt: +750 at BetMGM

T.J. Watt is right there with Garrett and Hutchinson as a contender for the 2025-26 DPOY throne. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker finished second in the DPOY voting last season, which gives him a high impetus for this season’s race. He compiled 40 tackles(tied for third) and won the Steelers MVP for a franchise-record five times. The 30-year-old was #1 with 17 tackles-for-loss, which pushed him so high up in the race.

TJ Watt for DPOY: +750 at BetMGM

Micah Parsons: +900 at BetMGM

Micah Parsons has earned strong odds to finish at the top of the Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker won the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year award and has gotten closer to the DPOY Award ever since. Last season, he had 30 tackles and 12.0 sacks.

Micah Parsons for DPOY: +900 at BetMGM

Maxx Crosby: +1100 at BetMGM

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has elevated his play each season. The 29-year-old was on fire throughout the season but an ankle injury limited him to 12 games. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week twice and tied for 17 tackles for losses with Watts in five fewer games. Thus, he could have been a DPOY choice if he played in four/five more games.

Max Crosby for DPOY: +1100 at BetMGM

Patrick Surtain II- +2500 at BetMGM

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is more like an honorable mention, as the bookmakers at BetMGM have placed him at the tail end of the top ten in the race to DPOY. That is a surprisingly low ranking for someone who just won the latest edition of the award! He led the league last season with 132 interception return yards and enabled the Broncos to be one of the top defenses.

Patrick Surtain II for DPOY: +2500 at BetMGM

Favorites to win the 2025-26 AP Defensive Player of the Year Awards (BetMGM)

2025-26 DPOY title: who?	Odds at BetMGM
Myles Garrett	+700
Aidan Hutchinson	+700
T.J. Watt	+750
Micah Parsons	+900
Maxx Crosby	+1100
Will Henderson Jr (HOU)	+1200
Nick Bosa	+1500
Jalen Carter	+1800
Jared Verse	+2200
Patrick Surtain II	+2500
Trey Henderickson	+2800

Conclusion

The AP Defensive Player of the Year Award race is already mouth-watering, and it will get even tighter when the season begins. The odds have placed multiple contenders on the same plane, and any one player among the top ten can be considered a favorite.

Meanwhile, we can even see someone outside of the above names seize the award. Let us keep a tight watch on how the race culminates and make our picks wisely.

Photo Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Aidan Hutchinson

Defensive player of the year odds

Jalen Carter

Jared Verse

Maxx Crosby

Micah Parsons

Myles Garrett

NFL

NFL Betting

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

NFL DPOY Odds

NFL Prediction

Nick Bosa

Patrick Surtain II

T.J. Watt

Will Henderson Jr

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!