Opening 2020 NFL MVP Odds Favor Mahomes Over Lamar

• BetOnline has listed Patrick Mahomes (+600) as the slight favorite to win league MVP in 2020
  
• Lamar Jackson (+700) will look to run away with his second-straight award next season after an unceremonious exit from the postseason
  
• Kyler Murray (+2000) is an intriguing longshot to claim the award after joining Cam Newton as the only rookies in NFL history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 500
  

After the Kansas City Chiefs secured the city’s first Super Bowl victory in 50 years, the conversation quickly turned to whether the franchise could be on the verge of a dynasty.

Similarly, it’s hard to see a ceiling for Patrick Mahomes after the 24-year-old followed up his 2018 MVP season with a Super Bowl MVP the very next year.

Mahomes opened as the obvious favorite to claim the 2020 award at +600 and it’s fair to wonder just how many of these things he could win. Peyton Manning holds the all-time record with five NFL MVPs, but that number almost seems like the floor for the Chiefs phenom, if he can stay healthy.

Let’s examine the odds at Bet Online and see if we can find any other contenders who we would be comfortable betting on.

ONLY BET ON QUARTERBACKS

As a gambling public service announcement, it is my responsibility to point out that quarterbacks have won seven-consecutive league MVPs and 12 of the last 13 awards.

Christian McCaffrey, the top running back on the board at +2500, didn’t even get a sniff of the trophy this past season despite leading the NFL with 2,392 scrimmage yards (third-most all-time), scoring 19 total touchdowns (tied for first in 2019), and becoming just the third player in NFL history with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

“He’s a better version of me.”

– Legendary running back Marshall Faulk on Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/7WmSMwoMTM

— SidelineMike (@SidelineMike_) January 30, 2020

Do we think the Panthers star or any other RB on the board (Zeke, Cook, Henry) will top those incredible numbers in 2020? We do not.

NFL MVP CONTENDERS

Lamar Jackson (+700) won the 2019 MVP by a unanimous vote after a historic season where he passed for 3,127 passing yards and 36 touchdowns and ran for 1,206 rushing yards with another seven scores. The dual-threat star will be looking to become the first back-to-back MVP winner since Manning in 2008/2009, and how can you doubt a guy who has made all doubters look ridiculous throughout his college and professional career.

Russell Wilson (+900) was considered the favorite to win his first MVP at the midway point of the year before Jackson literally ran away with the trophy. While one wishes Seattle would take the restrictor plate off their run-first offense and let Russ air it out, Ciara’s husband can never be fully counted out. It’s why we like the Seahawks as a +2500 longshot to win next year’s Super Bowl.

All the parts are there for Kyler Murray to be an elite QB@PFF_Linsey:https://t.co/QF4Uaz7rRy

— PFF (@PFF) February 5, 2020

Deshaun Watson (+1200), Carson Wentz (+1800), and Dak Prescott (+2000) all offer decent value, but all come with their fair share of problems. The Texans have a weak supporting cast with no draft picks to get better after Bill O’Brien went all-in last season; the Eagles’ 27-year-old signal caller is always injured; and Dak just inherited Mike McCarthy.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (+2000) is a better value than all three after a season where he joined Cam Newton as the only rookies in NFL history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 500. The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year improved throughout his first campaign and has an impressive offensive mind (Kliff Kingsbury) calling the plays.

If Arizona can add some weapons at wide receiver, Murray could follow in Jackson’s and Mahomes’ footsteps with a huge sophomore season.