New MVP Favorite? Kyler Murray’s 3-0 Start Lifts Him Above The Crowd

The NFL MVP race is always a fun one to watch. The same names always seem to pop up every year, from Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady to last year’s Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers. Even though we’re only just about to wrap up Week 3, there’s already a new favorite in the MVP race. Unsurprisingly, that player is a quarterback. After all, every single MVP since 2013 has played QB, with running back Adrian Peterson winning in 2012. In fact, since 2000 there have been four non-quarterbacks that finished the season with an MVP award. With that in mind, here’s the current favorite for Most Valuable Player and what to expect for the future of the MVP race.

Kyler Murray is Now the MVP Favorite

After a hot 3-0 start, the Arizona Cardinals have got to be feeling good. Considering they’re in the NFC East, easily one of the toughest divisions in football, they’ll need every win they can get. Much of the reason for the team’s success has been the play of QB Kyler Murray, the former number one overall pick from Oklahoma. Murray’s play seems greatly improved through three games of the 2021 NFL season, with 1,005 passing yards, seven touchdowns through the air, and three touchdowns on the ground.

Thanks to this above-average early play, many sportsbooks now have Murray as the MVP favorite. DraftKings has Murray listed at +750 odds right now, while BetMGM has the quarterback at +800 with PointsBet showing +600 odds. However, the competition is extremely close. For example, DraftKings has fellow QBs Matt Stafford and Patrick Mahomes right behind Murray with +800 odds.

What’s Next For Kyler Murray?

Murray’s going to have to keep up his dynamic playstyle to stay on top of the MVP race. The next three weeks will be a major test for the young QB. Next week, the team travels to Los Angeles to take on the Rams, who are themselves coming off a major statement win against the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After that, they play another division rival in the San Francisco 49ers followed by the playoff-contending Cleveland Browns. Things don’t get much easier down the road, with two games against the Seahawks and a showdown with the Green Bay Packers later in the year. But, if he keeps playing at a high level against major competition, Murray should stay atop the battle for MVP.

Murray Isn’t The Favorite Everywhere

While plenty of sportsbooks have the Arizona star QB on top of the MVP list, he’s not number one everywhere. For example, FanDuel currently has a six-man tie for MVP odds. The platform has Murray, Tom Brady, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Partick Mahomes, and Matthew Stafford all listed at +800. Another QB, Justin Herbert, is next up on the list at +900. Considering the heavy lean on quarterbacks to win the MVP award, and the fact that the next non-QB favorite is running back Derrick Henry at +5000, it’s hard to argue against putting your money on a gunslinger for a future bet.