NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2025-26: Marginal Favorite Hutchinson Ahead of Chasing Pack

Aidan Hutchinson is back atop the Defensive Player of the Year odds leaderboard for the first time since he suffered a devastating fractured tibia and fibula last season.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Favorites
Pictured: Aidan Hutchinson returns to the field as we highlight the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Favorites. Photo by Junfu Han via Imagn Images

Aidan Hutchinson is the 2025-26 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite at our best sports betting sites, with the recent injury returnee jumping ahead of Myles Garrett on the leaderboard, albeit just. 

Hutchinson was the prohibitive favorite last season when he suffered a horrific tibia and fibula fracture. Can he ascend to those heights immediately after returning to the field, or will one of the other contenders take the lead? 

After signing his lucrative contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett is in the mix, alongside Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt. 

🔢 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds 2025

Live NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds via our best sports betting apps.

🔍 NFL Defensive Player of the Year offseason betting insights

We've received some offseason betting insights for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award from BetMGM

  • Detroit Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson (+700 via BetMGM) leads the way with the highest ticket percentage (22.4%) and the highest handle (23.1%)
  • He also leads the way as the sportsbooks' biggest liability

🏈 NFL Defensive Player of the Year prediction & best bet

Myles Garrett: +850 via DraftKings

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Hutchinson enjoyed a dominant first half of last season, storming ahead of the chasing pack. However, I'm holding off on the Detroit Lions defensive end until I see how he performs after such a serious injury. 

I'm also fading Watt until his contract situation becomes clearer.

There is speculation in Steel City about a potential trade, which would alter the defensive landscape of whichever team is fortunate enough to land him. Although I don't think it will go that far.

So, it's onto Garrett, the Browns' perennial contender and previous winner. He finished third in voting last season and had the third-best defensive rating (92.3), according to PFF. 

With no lingering contract distractions to contend with, Garrett can return to doing what he does best.

🗠 NFL Defensive Player of the Year opening odds

Opening NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds via DraftKings as of February 7.

  • T.J. Watt +750
  • Myles Garrett +750
  • Aidan Hutchinson +750
  • Micah Parsons +850
  • Maxx Crosby +900
  • Will Anderson Jr. +1200
  • Nick Bosa +1600
  • Jalen Carter +2000
  • Jared Verse +2500
  • Pat Surtain II +2800
  • Trey Hendrickson +3000
  • Fred Warner +4000
  • Chris Jones +4000
  • Quinyon Mitchell +5000
  • Leonard Williams +5000
  • Kyle Hamilton +5000
  • Josh Hines-Allen +5000
  • George Karlaftis +5000
  • Dexter Lawrence II +5000
  • Brian Branch +6000
  • Nik Bonitto +6000
  • Trent McDuffie +7500
  • Khalil Mack +7500
  • Kerby Joseph +7500
  • Derek Stingley Jr. +7500
  • Danielle Hunter +7500
  • Cooper DeJean +7500
  • Christian Gonzalez +7500
  • Budda Baker +7500
  • Brian Burns +7500
  • Zack Baun +7500
  • Will McDonald IV +7500

📜 NFL Defensive Player of the Year betting history

Year Player Preseason odds
2024 Pat Surtain II (CB) +12500
2023 Myles Garrett (DE) +600
2022 Nick Bosa (DE) +1400
2021 T.J. Watt (LB) +800
2020 Aaron Donald (DT) +600
2019 Stephon Gilmore (CB) +8000
2018 Aaron Donald (DT) +590
2017 Aaron Donald (DT) +1400
2016 Khalil Mack (LB) +650
2015 J.J. Watt (DE) +150

❓ NFL Defensive Player of the Year FAQs

Who is the favorite for NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

Aidan Hutchinson is a slight favorite by the latest NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds, with +750 odds at Caesars. Those odds imply an 11.76% win probability. 

Who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last year?

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year this past season after entering the campaign with odds of +12500.

Who's won the most Defensive Player of the Year Awards?

Lawrence Taylor, J.J. Watt, and Aaron Donald share the NFL lead with three career DPOY wins. Five players won it twice.

When was the last back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner? 

Aaron Donald won the award in 2017 and 2018, and J.J. Watt won it in 2014 and 2015. Lawrence Taylor took the honors in 1981 and 1982. Those three are the only back-to-back recipients.  

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