The odds are stacked in favor of quarterbacks when it comes to the 2019 NFL MVP race. Oddshark believes Patrick Mahomes is in great shape to repeat. The top 18 players on the oddsboard are quarterbacks. Non-qbs rarely win this award. Since 2001, only three skilled-position players have won MVP and they were all running backs: Shaun Alexander in 2005, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 and Adrian Peterson in 2011. An aside, the first players on the list who aren’t quarterbacks are Aaron Donald, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley, each at +5000.
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers has good year after good year. He piles stats, whether yardage, completion or touchdowns. He’s not as old as Tom Brady, but he definitely is one of the top veteran QBs in the game. He has to come up with a huge season to earn honors. And remember, he has to dethrone the reigning MVP to take home the crown. Plus-$2,000.
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson and the Texans are to be feared. Talk about potent on both sides of the ball.Watson has bloomed into a top QB and should be in the MVP race for many years to come. He could jump to the front of the discussion with some big games and victories. Plus, $1,800.
Mitchell Trubisky
Mitchell Trubisky is in charge of the Bears’ offense in Chicago. The team’s defense gets more of the accolades. Not sure if Trubisky should be this highly thought of in the MVP race. Khalil Mack feels more like an MVP candidate in Chicago. Plus $1,800.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is the G.O.A.T. How tempting is it to be able to put up $100 and get $1,600 profit if he is the MVP. Brady is aging in vintage fashion and figures to have more on his plate with Rob Gronkowski retired. Funny how few people think he is over the hill.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees is as smart and talented as they come. He leads a high-powered New Orleans offense that almost made it to the Super Bowl in 2018. Don’t believe everything you read when people think the best is behind Brees. He’s got talent all around him and could easily have an MVP season. Plus-$1,200.
Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz is a co-third choice with Baker Mayfield. The biggest obstacle the Eagles’ quarterback faces is staying healthy and in games. You aren’t going to be MVP watching from the sidelines. Plus-$1,100.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is all about the headlines and backing up the hype. He will likely be a front-runner for MVP for many years to come. Not sure he’s ready for this yet as the Browns still have to find their way into the playoffs. Plus-$1,100.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is the second choice in the MVP voting. The Packers’ quarterback will be operating a new offense under Matt LaFleur, one that certainly will play more to Rodgers’ strengths. That’s why he sets up at plus-$1,000.
Patrick Mahomes
Coming off a season where he threw for 5,000 yards and 50 TD passes, there is some synergy in Patrick Mahomes being plus-$550.
Honorable mention
If you are looking for other juicy long shots, Russell Wilson (plus-$2,500), Ben Roethlisberger (plus-$3,000), Jared Goff (plus-$3,300) and Nick Foles (plus-$6,600). For some reason, Kyler Murray is at plus-$2,500, which seems way too light for a rookie stepping into a mess in Arizona.
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