Appearing on “Up & Adams,” a program on FanDuel TV, former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms gave his unfiltered opinion on whether or not Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will win the NFL MVP for the 2025-26 season.
FanDuel Sportsbook has Daniels listed at +850, which are the fifth-best odds behind Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (+500), Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+600), Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (+600), and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+600).
Phil Simms Gets Honest About Jayden Daniels’ MVP Prospects
In the interview with host Kay Adams, Simms reacts to the top six MVP odds. Adams asks Simms whether the 24-year-old Daniels is more likely to win MVP or take a step back in his second season.
“He’s not going to take a step back, but I don’t think he’ll be MVP,” Simms predicted.
Jayden Daniels enters 2025 with the 5th-best MVP odds at +850… But Phil Simms isn’t sold.
“He’s not going to take a step back, but I don’t think he’ll be MVP.”@heykayadams | @PhilSimmsQB | @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/s9YTcU54DN
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 2, 2025
Simms then goes through each quarterback listed ahead of Daniels, mentioning how Jackson can “throw for 300, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and by the way, I’ll run for 50 or 60 just to let ya know.”
He then lists Allen, Burrow, and Mahomes and says, “Man, these are some guys, even if the team is not good, they’re still capable and willing and can still have outstanding seasons statistically, but you know, the team’s gotta win, you gotta play well, and it’s gotta kinda fall your way to be an MVP in the NFL,” Simms finished.
Simms himself never won an MVP, but he was a two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time Pro Bowler during his 14-year career with the Giants from 1979 to 1993.
Looking Ahead to Daniels in 2025
As a rookie quarterback last season, Daniels completed 331 of 480 passes (69%) for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also ran 148 times for 891 yards and six scores. Daniels won the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, placed seventh in the MVP voting, and led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game.
Deebo Samuel catching passes during drills pic.twitter.com/anjKNlqfhz
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 28, 2025
This year, he’ll have a new weapon in former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. He’ll also have a new left tackle in five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, whom Washington acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans in March.
Furthermore, the Commanders used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. Though he still has to develop and prove himself in the NFL, Conerly Jr. has the potential to eventually become Washington’s starting right tackle.
With an improved receiving corps and offensive line, Daniels could be poised for an even bigger campaign this year. However, it will be tough to outperform more established stars like Jackson, Allen, Burrow, and Mahomes.
