The return of the NFL marks the beginning of one of the league's most unpredictable betting periods. With preseason kicking off this week, bettors are preparing to assess new rosters, coaching decisions and offseason moves that could shape the months ahead for every franchise. 

The biggest headline this year came with the blockbuster trade that sent two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams, instantly changing expectations for one of the NFC's strongest contenders. It's this kind of move that can influence betting markets long before Week 1 arrives, as sportsbooks adjust their futures odds.

That interest continues to grow each season. According to a RotoWire Market Analysis, legal U.S. sportsbooks accepted exactly $31.76 billion in NFL wagers during the 2025-2026 season. This shows just how significant football betting has become across North America. For anyone looking at preseason odds, understanding how the main NFL betting market works is an important first step before making any predictions. 

Preseason tells a different story than the regular season 

One of the biggest mistakes new bettors make is treating preseason football like a standard NFL game. While fans are eager to see their favorite teams return, coaches usually have entirely different priorities. 

Wins are rarely the main objective. Instead preseason games are used to evaluate rookies, test new playbooks and settle position battles before final rosters are finalized. Established starters often play only a handful of snaps, while backups and fringe players spend most of the evening trying to earn a place on the 53-man roster. 

That uncertainty makes preseason one of the hardest periods for sportsbooks to price accurately. Odds can change quickly as more information becomes available about quarterback rotations, injury management or how long first-team units are expected to stay on the field. Rather than focusing solely on which team appears stronger on paper, bettors often need to consider who is actually expected to play and for how long. 

Training camp reports can also provide valuable insights before sportsbooks fully react. Updates on rookie performances, position battles or unexpected injuries often influence expectations, especially when coaches reveal how they plan to rotate players during preseason games. 

Betting markets react to far more than team strength 

Point spreads remain one of the most popular NFL betting markets, but they can behave very differently during preseason. 

A spread shows the expected margin of victory, yet those expectations become less reliable when playing time is uncertain. A team with superior talent might still be listed as only a slight favorite if its starters are expected to spend most of the game on the sidelines. 

Moneyline markets can also become more intriguing during August. Because preseason results often depend on quarterback depth, coaching philosophy and overall roster competition, perceived favorites don't always have the same advantage they might enjoy later in the regular season. 

Totals present another challenge. Offensive rhythm can take several weeks to develop, especially when quarterbacks and receivers are building chemistry or learning a new system. At the same time, some coaching staffs prefer conservative game plans, while others use preseason to experiment with more aggressive offensive approaches. 

Understanding what each betting market is actually measuring helps explain why odds sometimes shift without any obvious headline making the news. 

For anyone exploring sports betting in Canada, Covers provides a range of NFL futures markets alongside regularly updated odds and expert analysis. This makes it easier to compare how sportsbooks value each team's chances before the season begins. Futures betting offers a different way to engage with the NFL beyond weekly matchups, rewarding bettors who can identify value before public opinion and regular-season results begin moving odds. 

Futures markets are already adjusting to a changing NFL 

Preseason isn't just about individual games. Futures betting also attracts significant attention as bettors look ahead to awards, division winners, conference champions and the Super Bowl before the regular season begins and markets continue shifting. 

Major offseason moves often have an immediate impact on those odds. Garrett's arrival in Los Angeles is a clear example, strengthening a Rams defense that was already viewed as one of the NFC's biggest threats. It's the type of move that can quickly reshape expectations before a single snap of preseason football has been played. 

Current Super Bowl futures already show how competitive the league appears entering the new season. At the time of writing, Covers lists Seattle as the favorite at 6/1, followed by the L.A. Rams at 37/10 and Buffalo at 19/2. 

Those odds are unlikely to remain static throughout August. Strong preseason performances, injuries, and even positive reports from training camp can all influence futures markets, giving bettors opportunities to identify value before the regular season provides a clearer picture of each team's potential. 

As the NFL returns this week, preseason betting offers an early opportunity to learn how sportsbooks interpret uncertainty. While no betting market can remove the unpredictability of August football, knowing how point spreads, moneylines, totals and futures are shaped by roster decisions provides valuable context before the regular season begins. With major offseason moves already influencing expectations and billions of dollars wagered on the NFL each year, taking the time to understand these markets can make following the preseason even more engaging. As more information becomes available throughout training camp and preseason games, bettors who understand what drives market movement will be in a stronger position to evaluate opportunities before Week 1 even begins.