Fans are hoping that the NFL will begin the 2020 regular season without issues resulting from the coronavirus. Many sportsbooks are already looking ahead to the odds of MVP.
The Favorite
The front runner for this award is no surprise. Patrick Mahomes is the 4-1 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook. If he were to win, that would be his second regular-season MVP in the past three years.
Mahomes and the Chiefs are expected to hit the ground running after their Super Bowl victory. Andy Reid has his quarterback in prime form and won’t be holding him back in 2020.
Next Up
Next in line is the defending regular-season MVP Lamar Jackson. He surprised many people with the numbers that he put up last year. Fans and experts expected him to be good in the NFL, but maybe not that good.
He is in the Caesars Sportsbook at 13-2. Eyes will be on him this year to have just as good of a season and follow that with an improved postseason.
The Lowest Odds – Non-Quarterback
The last time a quarterback did not win the MVP was in 2012 when Adrian Peterson took the award. Only 16 running backs have won the award compared to 42 quarterbacks.
The shortest odds of any non-quarterback in 2020 is Christian McCaffrey. He still comes in with the 12th-best odds, behind 11 quarterbacks.
No receiver has even won the award.
“This is a very, very hard award for someone who doesn’t play quarterback or running back to win,” said Jeff Davis, director of risk for Caesars Sportsbook. “If a receiver has a big year, it’s generally given to the quarterback. Given the way the league has turned to a passing, quarterback-centric league, for a running back to win, it would take a Herculean effort.”
Other Possibilities
The third spot is sure to be Jerry Jones’ pick to win the award. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is next at 9-1 to win the MVP. He is followed by the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson at 12-1.
Tom Brady is still on the board even though he’s not in New England. If Tom Brady were to win an MVP award in Tampa Bay, that would even further his status as one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL.
He is at 16-1 to win the award, equaling the odds of Arizona QB Kyler Murray.
Two legends in Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers still have their shot, maybe not receiving the odds they believe they deserve. Drew Brees is at 20-1, and Rodgers is at 25-1.
Starting the Season
Hopefully, the NFL season won’t have any issues beginning the season. The playoff and MVP races are sure to be as exciting as ever. There aren’t many experts that don’t love Mahomes leading this group, but this award could go elsewhere.
When Jackson won last year, he entered the preseason with 40-1 odds. Mahomes won in 2018 with 35-1 odds. The winner of this award might not even be mentioned as one of the top 15 leaders entering the season.
