NFL Futures Betting: How To Bet on Football Futures
NFL futures bets let you wager on long-term outcomes that are decided later in the football season, rather than the result of a single game. Popular markets include predicting the Super Bowl champion, division and conference winners, regular-season win totals, and individual awards like NFL MVP or Offensive Rookie of the Year.
You can place an NFL futures bet during the offseason, preseason, or regular season, with odds constantly adjusting based on team performances, injuries, and other developments. Finding an undervalued team or player early can offer attractive potential payouts, but timing your wagers and comparing sportsbook odds are essential to getting the best value.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to bet on football futures, explore the most popular NFL futures markets, and share practical strategies for identifying value. Keep reading to learn how to evaluate futures odds, choose the right bets, and make more informed long-term wagers throughout the NFL season.
What are NFL Futures Bets?
NFL futures bets are season-long wagers offered by NFL betting sites. They allow you to place bets on both team and player outcomes over the course of the year as opposed to betting on weekly games. These bets are also often referred to as NFL outrights.
The most popular NFL futures to bet including betting on the winner of the season and the eventual Super Bowl winner. Other options include player statistical milestones and awards, and what teams will make the playoffs. We’ve covered some of the most popular football futures you can bet on below.
Types of NFL Futures
An NFL futures bet lets you predict how teams or players will perform over the course of the season, with markets covering everything from Super Bowl winners and division champions to regular-season win totals and individual player awards.
Super Bowl Winner
A Super Bowl future is when you bet on which NFL team you believe will win the current seasons Super Bowl title. With the Super Bowl being one of the most watched sporting events around the world, it is a popular wager.
Gain valuable insights by how each team performed in the past season. Looking too far in the past won’t give you an accurate forecast. Don’t forget other things to consider like the NFL Draft odds, training, and even the preseason.
Expert Tip: The favorites to win the Super Bowl change often during the season. Their odds may change each week of the regular season. Keep track of the latest developments in the NFL to improve your odds of winning the Super Bowl futures bet.
AFC / NFC Conference Championship
The NFL has two different conferences that split teams into the AFC and NFC, with the winner of each conference earning a spot in the Super Bowl. Choosing AFC and NFC conference championship winners is how you will win this type of futures bet.
Expert Tip: Betting on a team to win the AFC or NFC conference can be a lower-risk, high-value alternative to picking a team to win the Super Bowl. Track the odds for conference winner futures throughout the season to maximize your bet.
Division Winner
The AFC and NFC consist of four divisions; the North, South, East, and West, each hosting four teams. These teams play each other twice a season, as well as multiple other opponents. Whoever has the most wins within each division will not only win the division, but also clinch a playoff spot. Select the winner of an NFL division to win this type of futures wager.
Expert Tip: Some divisions in the NFL experience strong trends because of the dominance of one team, such as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. Keep an eye out for teams poised to dominate their division, and place your wager before the season starts.
NFL Player Awards
After the regular season ends, there’s a vote to determine NFL player awards. These awards cover a range of categories for standout performances during the season such as the Most Valuable Player and the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year. The NFL Honors list includes seven different player awards futures to bet on.
Expert Tip: The odds for NFL player awards can swing drastically from week to week based on injuries, trades, or standout performances. Favorites in each category can drop out of the awards race in the blink of an eye. Track player performance trends during the run-up to the NFL playoffs for potential underdog winners to emerge.
Team to Make Playoffs
Seven teams each from the AFC and NFC make the NFL Playoffs. This is broken down by four division winners, plus three wild-card teams from each conference. This futures bet is a simple yes or no proposition, and is one of the more popular bets to make for NFL futures. Only 14 of 32 teams make the NFL playoffs each year, so the majority of the franchises will miss out.
Expert Tip: When betting on NFL playoff futures, check out an analysis of the NFL strength of schedule for each team. Franchises with easier schedules are more likely to earn a playoff spot than a similar team with a more difficult schedule.
Regular Season Player Stats
The NFL produces plenty of statistics, just like other major sports leagues in North America. Many NFL sportsbooks set odds for which players will accrue the most stats in certain categories during the regular season, both on offense and defense.
Popular futures for NFL regular season stats include choosing the leaders for total rushing, receiving, and passing yards, or for the most sacks or interceptions. You can also wager on NFL players to go over or under in individual stat categories.
Expert Tip: Don’t forget to analyze a player’s team before picking them to lead the league in a statistical category. A superstar quarterback without good receivers is less likely to lead the league in passing yards than a rival quarterback with great receivers.
NFL Player Futures Explained
NFL player futures include bets on which player will earn prestigious honors, such as the best offensive and defensive player.
NFL Most Valuable Player
NFL MVP futures give you the opportunity to bet on the player most likely to win the Most Valuable Player award. This award is determined by eligible voters, so make sure to stay up-to-date on public perception and how well certain players are performing. Quarterbacks tend to be voted as the MVP of the winning teams. This means the NFL futures odds heavily favor them to win the award.
Offensive Player of the Year
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) futures allow you to select the most outstanding offensive player from all of the offensive positions. Unlike the NFL MVP, wide receivers and running backs have a realistic chance of winning. However, only four wide receivers have ever won the award and zero tight ends have ever claimed the honor. Therefore, focusing your bets on quarterbacks or running backs is often the smartest choice.
Defensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) futures offer you odds on the standout defensive player from the season. Often, players who shine at pass rushing, racking up sacks, or pulling down interceptions have the strongest odds of winning, such as edge rushers, defensive linemen, and cornerbacks.
Unlike the offensive award, the defensive award has seen a variety of position groups win. However, Luke Kuechly in 2013 is the only inside linebacker to win since 2005.
Comeback Player of the Year
Betting on Comeback Player of the Year futures involve a selection on the player who overcomes significant adversity to have an outstanding season. Look for star players coming back from an injury. or any prominent player who suffered a personal setback or health-related issue in the prior season.
Coach of the Year
NFL Coach of the Year futures may not be a player futures bet, but it allows you to bet in a similar way. This award is also done by a vote and is a very popular wager to make for football fans. Keep an eye out for teams that outperform expectations to improve the odds of winning your wager.
This can be a sign that their coach has played a big impact and could make them a strong bet for this type of futures bet.
Offensive / Defensive Rookie of the Year
The NFL rookie of the Year Award futures are split into an offensive and defensive category. Much like the main offensive and defensive MVPs, these NFL future bets let you wager on the best players in these categories, but they only focus on new players to the league. These NFL honors are awarded to the most outstanding player on either side of the football in their first year in the league.
NFL Futures Betting Tips and Strategies
Learning about NFL futures betting strategies can help you get some extra value from your bets. Doing a bit of extra research doesn’t take much time and can positively impact your wagers.
Consider Timing When You Bet NFL Futures
The timing of your futures bet can have a big impact on your payout for winning. Betting on an underdog early in the season can maximize profits. Meanwhile, waiting for a favorite to have a rough couple of weeks can also increase winnings. This is because oddsmakers adjust the NFL futures odds all throughout the season, based on current form, injuries and public betting patterns.
Look at Previous NFL Award Winners
Previous results don’t guarantee future results. Still, looking at the past winners of NFL awards can reveal the type of player that tends to earn an individual player award. Star QBs and RBs tend to win MVP and Offensive Rookie of the Year, so betting on a receiver or tight end for those awards will often be a risky proposition.
Try to Find Value in the Underdogs
Betting on underdogs offers a greater payout, especially when there’s a strong favorite for a specific category of NFL futures. Sometimes, the betting public places a large volume of bets on a weak favorite, increasing the value of betting on a viable underdog. Underdogs could be priced as long as 10-1, 20-1 or, even 100-1. Research longshot futures bets early to gain the best return on your bets.
Hedge your NFL Futures Bets
Understanding how to bet football futures also means knowing when to hedge your wagers to protect potential profits. Hedging involves placing additional bets on alternative outcomes to reduce your risk, although it also increases your total investment.
For example, backing multiple Super Bowl contenders at long odds, such as +500, +1000, and +1200, gives you several opportunities to win. However, covering more outcomes doesn’t automatically guarantee a profit. The key is comparing potential payouts against your total stakes and determining whether a smaller, more secure return is worth the additional wagers.
Perform Statistical Analysis
The NFL and various football analysis sites produce stats you can use to make smarter betting decisions. For example, checking out the pass-blocking and run-blocking grades of offensive linemen can show you that a quarterback will receive the support they need to win an MVP futures bet or lead the league in passing yards. In some instances, Patrick Mahomes futures and other bets on star players will stay open all throughout the season.
Line Shop the Best NFL Futures Odds
Line shopping is especially important for NFL futures because odds on the same team or player can vary significantly between sportsbooks. Since futures typically offer larger potential payouts than single-game bets, even a small difference in odds can translate into substantially more profit if your wager wins. Compare several NFL sportsbooks before placing a futures bet to make sure you’re getting the best available price and maximizing the value of your wager.
Should You Place a Bet on NFL Futures?
Placing bets on NFL futures can be a fun way to create a rooting interest in your wagers for the entirely of a season. You can also find some great betting value if you do your research and bet early. But futures betting isn’t for everyone. Let’s look at the top pros and cons to these types of bets.
Pros and Cons To Betting on NFL Futures
✅ Provides season-long entertainment
✅ Longshot NFL futures have the potential for large payouts
✅ Can create hedging opportunities as the season moves along
❌ Odds move quickly and finding the best price requires patience and research
❌ Serious injuries or trades can quickly derail your futures bet
❌ Requires a portion of your bankroll to be tied up for the entire season
When To Bet on NFL Futures Odds
There is no one perfect time for making futures bets in the NFL, with the decision ultimately coming down to your betting style and preference.
For players who are new to betting on football futures, we recommend getting the most information possible before placing a bet. This way, you can analyze offseason trades, and watch how new draft picks and coaches adapt to their teams in training camps and the pre-season.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be more informed and confidence when making your Super Bowl, playoff, and NFL player award futures.
However, more advanced bettors may find an advantage in using an early futures betting strategies. This allows for getting ahead of potential odds movement before a team or player starts getting public betting support.
Best Sportsbook for NFL Futures Betting
We’ve reviewed all of the top online NFL sportsbooks and with an extensive futures betting market, we recommend Bovada as our best choice.
Bovada Top Choice for NFL Futures
Bovada offers tons of NFL futures bets for the regular season, post-season and Super Bowl. Their futures markets include odds fro division winners, to make the playoffs, team totals, players stats and awards, and of course Super Bowl outrights, among many other options. The site is simple to use with a mobile-friendly interface and a range of deposit methods, including crypto. The 50% up to $250 welcome bonus makes Bovada an excellent choice for new players looking to make the best NFL futures bets.
Welcome Bonus 100% Up To $750
Sportsbook Rewards Earn Rewards Points On Every Bet You Make
Low bonus wagering requirements.
User-friendly site that is easy to navigate.
Responsible Gambling
We encourage all players to gamble responsibly when placing futures bets in the NFL. Remember that online betting is a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits. Budget your bankroll ahead of time to avoid losing more than you can afford to. Keeping these tips in mind will help you have fun and remain a responsible gambler.
If you are over-preoccupied with thoughts about gambling or exceed your budget regularly, you might benefit from some help. Consider the resources below if you recognize the warning signs and symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- National Council on Problem Gambling: (202) 547-9204 or NCPGambling.org
- AGA Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (as supported by the NBA)
- Gambler’s Anonymous
- Responsible Gambling Council
NFL Futures Bets: Key Takeaways
NFL futures betting gives you the opportunity to predict long-term outcomes throughout the 2026 football season, from Super Bowl champions and division winners to playoff appearances, regular-season win totals, and individual player awards. You can even wager on which NFL team will have the worst record.
Unlike traditional game bets, NFL futures bets require patience and careful timing, as odds fluctuate based on team performances, injuries, roster changes, and other developments. Comparing futures prices across sportsbooks and identifying undervalued teams or players can help you find more favorable betting opportunities.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bettor, start with a manageable bankroll and focus on well-researched selections. Explore the latest NFL futures odds, apply the strategies covered in this guide, and make more informed long-term wagers throughout the season.
NFL Futures FAQs
NFL futures bets are season-long wagers on outcomes that will be determined weeks or months in the future, such as which team will win the Super Bowl or which player will earn MVP. Unlike weekly game bets that settle immediately after a game ends, NFL futures bets remain active throughout the season until the outcome is decided. You can place NFL futures bets at any point during the season, though odds change frequently based on team performance, injuries, and other developments.
NFL futures bets like Super Bowl winners, player awards, and season-long stats pay out at the end of the season once the result is confirmed. Others, such as season win totals or division winners can pay out sooner once a player or teams clinches. It’s best to check the terms at your specific sportsbook to find each site’s payout times.
Hedging an NFL futures bet means placing a new wager on the opposite outcome as your team advances, locking in guaranteed profit or reducing risk. For example, if you bet the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl at +800 in the preseason and they reach the championship game, you can bet their opponent to guarantee profit regardless of the outcome. Many sportsbooks also offer cash-out options that let you settle your futures bet early at current market value, though the offered amount is typically less favorable than manually hedging yourself.
Yes, many sportsbooks allow you to cash out your futures bet early. Potential payouts fluctuate throughout the season as your bet becomes more or less likely to win. Check your sportsbook’s cash-out availability and policy though before you make your bet.
Some NFL sportsbooks allow you to parlay NFL futures across multiple categories. However, others don’t and remember almost always, futures that correlate won’t be able to be parlayed.
Opening odds for NFL futures are set during the offseason, while the current odds are the odds that are available today, after having been bet on and adjusted throughout the season.
Track NFL futures odds across multiple sportsbooks to identify when public betting or major news creates price discrepancies between books or between the betting market and expert consensus. Sharp money often moves lines early in the week, so comparing opening odds to current odds reveals where professional bettors see value. Look for situations where public perception (driven by media narratives or recent performances) diverges from underlying team quality, creating opportunities to bet against overreactions before the market corrects.
You can replicate a futures position by rolling over weekly moneyline bets, betting your team each week and reinvesting winnings, which offers more flexibility to exit if circumstances change. However, this approach requires your team to win every game (not just make the playoffs or championship), exposes you to higher cumulative hold across multiple bets, and demands active management each week. NFL futures bets offer convenience and lock in a price, while rollovers provide liquidity and control but require more effort and typically face worse overall pricing.
To evaluate NFL futures value, convert the odds to implied probability (for example, +300 odds equal 25% implied probability), then estimate the true probability of that outcome based on your research. If your estimated probability exceeds the implied probability by enough to overcome the sportsbook’s hold (typically 5-10% on futures), the bet offers positive expected value. Always compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to ensure you’re getting the best available price.
Build a diversified NFL futures portfolio by spreading smaller wagers across multiple markets (Super Bowl, conferences, divisions, player awards) and multiple teams within each market rather than concentrating on a single outcome. This approach reduces variance and increases your chances of hitting at least one winning ticket. Allocate larger portions to higher-probability bets (division winners, conference champions) and smaller amounts to long-shot Super Bowl picks, ensuring your total exposure aligns with your overall bankroll management strategy.
