With the NHL coming to a finish last week, and the NBA season terminating within the next week, sports fans patiently wait for the return of football. With training camps opening, the NFL is right around the corner. As I anticipate nothing but an incredible season on the horizon, now seems like a good time to start looking at some of the game’s biggest stars and who has the capability of involving themselves in the MVP debate this season.
NFL Conferences MVP Predictions
The winner of the NFL’s Most Valuable Player has been a quarterback eight seasons in a row. The last non-quarterback winner was Adrian Peterson in his historic season with the Vikings in 2012. Let’s take a look at some of the most recent winners of the highly respected award.
Past 10 Winners
- 2020 – Aaron Rodgers QB
- 2019 – Lamar Jackson QB
- 2018 – Patrick Mahomes QB
- 2017 – Tom Brady QB
- 2016 – Matt Ryan QB
- 2015 – Cam Newton QB
- 2014 – Aaron Rodgers QB
- 2013 – Peyton Manning QB
- 2012 – Adrian Peterson RB
- 2011 – Aaron Rodgers QB
2021 NFL MVP Odds
- Patrick Mahomes (+400)
- Aaron Rodgers (+1000)
- Josh Allen (+1000)
- Tom Brady (+1200)
- Matthew Stafford (+1600)
- Lamar Jackson (+1600)
- Russell Wilson (+1600)
- Dak Prescott (+1700)
- Kyler Murray (+2000)
- Justin Herbert (+2000)
Just in case you’re curious, the first non-quarterback listed as a potential candidate to win the 2021 MVP Award is Derrick Henry at (+5000). Putting that into perspective, below-average quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan, Joe Burrow, and Kirk Cousins are all also listed at (+5000) odds.
Although, at the end of each season there’s only one player who earns the award for most valuable player, I thought it’d be a good idea to boil it down to a final two players; containing one individual from both the AFC and NFC. Each conference stacked with talent, the MVP race is expected to involve many of the league’s biggest names as it does year after year. Some names will be more familiar than others, but nevertheless here are my predictions for who will be winning the 2021 NFL MVP award out of their respective conference.
Best Bets
Josh Allen (+1000)
Entering the 2021-22 NFL season, Josh Allen shares the same odds at winning MVP as the three-time and most recent winner, Aaron Rodgers. If you watched Bills football in 2020, then you couldn’t have missed the high talents of quarterback Josh Allen. In just his three seasons playing in the pros, what can’t the 6’5’’ 237 lbs. monster do?
Coming off a season in which he had career highs in completion percentage (69.2%), passing yards (4,544), and passing touchdowns (37) while being intercepted on only 10 separate occasions. Not only can he beat you in the air with his tremendous arm strength, but he can beat you wide with speed or take it right up the gut with his broad shoulders and wide lower body. Rushing for 421 yards and eight touchdowns, Josh Allen is truly developing into a legit dual-threat around the league.
Falling to the Chiefs, the Bills were on the brink of capping off a historic season with a trip to the Super Bowl. Keep in mind this was season number one in terms of the chemistry between Josh Allen and his first receiver Stefon Diggs. Imagine what we have in store for year two in Buffalo. If Allen can return his team to the promised land, then it should be a no-brainer when the 2021-22 NFL season comes to a close as to who the MVP should be.
Kyler Murray (+2000)
Kyler Murray will just be entering his third season in the NFL when he takes the field this upcoming Fall in the opening week. The former Rookie of the Year was a Pro Bowler last season as he led Arizona to a hot 6-3 start. Involving himself in the MVP debate early in the season with his accurate throws and speedy legs was not a shocker.
The Cardinals went out this offseason and provided Murray with additional support acquiring former Pro Bowlers, wide receiver A.J. Green, running back James Connor, and center Rodney Houston. Prone to injury, Murray can still make better decisions on the field especially when posed with the tough question of taking the extra yard or settling down with a slide.
Still in search of the Cardinals’ first playoff berth since 2015, Murray can rewrite last season’s gut-wrenching loss to the Rams with an epic comeback season of their own. Keep an eye out for the 5’10’’ 23-year-old quarterback out of Oklahoma. He can throw the deep ball and has the ability to break your ankles at any given moment.
Good Luck!
