Is it Patrick Mahomes’ turn to win MVP again? Can Lamar Jackson bounce back this season? – The Athletic

The beginning of the NFL preseason is only a few weeks away and the betting marketplace for the end-of-season awards isalready taking form. Aaron Rodgers gained his third MVP final season, however is just not the preseason favourite. Uncertainty about his future could possibly be affecting his odds, however Patrick Mahomes leads the way in which as the present favourite.

Mahomes, who gained MVP in 2018, is 5-1 whereas Rodgers is 8-1. Josh Allen is subsequent up at 12-1 whereas 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray are each 14-1.

All odds by way of BetMGM. Place a $1 bet at BetMGM to get a free yr subscription to The Athletic, plus a $100 bonus when your workforce wins. 

NFL MVP odds

Mahomes opened at 6-1 and is now 5-1, however there isn’t a lot different motion among the many favorites. Justin Herbert, Ryan Tannehill and Matt Ryan have seen their odds shift in latest strikes.

There aren’t any surprises on the prime of the checklist. Should you’re in search of some deep cuts and potential lengthy pictures, The Athletic’s NFL staff picked an MVP for each team. Under is the case for every of the principle contenders from native beat writers.

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs spent the offseason making an attempt to supply higher safety for Mahomes by buying a number of new, youthful linemen reminiscent of left sort out Orlando Brown Jr., left guard Joe Thuney, rookie heart Creed Humphrey and rookie proper guard Trey Smith. If Mahomes is given ample time within the pocket, he might have an upcoming season much like what he did in 2018, when he produced greater than 5,000 passing yards and 50 landing passes. If that happens, Mahomes would possibly add one other league MVP trophy to his accolades — Nate Taylor

Aaron Rodgers

My guess is he arrives in Inexperienced Bay a while throughout coaching camp and goes on one other tear all through the NFL, maybe a run spectacular sufficient to win back-to-back MVPs. Time heals all wounds, and with one other couple of months of consideration for why he ought to stick with the Packers and play for his coaches, teammates and followers — even when he doesn’t like normal supervisor Brian Gutekunst — Rodgers would possibly determine to make one other run at a Tremendous Bowl with the one NFL workforce he’s ever performed for. — Matt Schneidman

Josh Allen

Allen was an MVP candidate a yr in the past and it’s laborious to see that altering except one thing goes sideways with the Payments’ offense. The connection between Allen and Stefon Diggs is what vaulted the Payments’ offense into the highest tier of the league and it’s that connection that may give them an opportunity to repeat that effort. This workforce will go so far as Allen and Diggs can take them. — Matthew Fairburn

Lamar Jackson

The Ravens upgraded Jackson’s group of targets by signing Sammy Watkins and drafting Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace. Bradley Bozeman’s transfer to heart and the signing of Kevin Zeitler ought to enhance the go blocking. The Ravens’ offensive workers has had one other offseason — and a standard one at that — to make some crucial tweaks. All of these elements ought to assist Jackson put up higher numbers within the passing recreation and everybody is aware of what he can do together with his legs. — Jeff Zrebiec

Kyler Murray

If the Cardinals are going to be a real NFC West contender, they’ll want Murray to be enjoying at a near-MVP degree. The Cardinals already designed their offense round Murray in his first two seasons; now it’s as much as Murray to proceed to raise his personal recreation and make a leap in passing manufacturing. — Lindsay Jones

Tom Brady

Brady set a franchise report with 40 landing passes final yr, then threw one other 10 within the playoffs, and he has the identical deep group of proficient choices to throw to, from receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown to tight finish Rob Gronkowski. In the event that they wish to be the primary NFL workforce in 17 years to repeat as champs, they’ll want an enormous yr at age 44 from Brady, the final beginning quarterback to drag off back-to-back titles. — Greg Auman

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