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Best ChoiceHow to Read NFL MVP Betting Odds
All NFL MVP odds are based on a hypothetical $100 bet. So to use Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen as an example, his odds sit +1800 on some Arizona sportsbooks. That means a $100 wager would earn a bettor $1,800.
In the case of NFL MVP odds, it's rare to see a player as a (-) favorite considering there are so many options and variables. However, as the season goes on, one player could emerge as a big favorite and be listed at -200, for example. In this case, a bettor would need to wager $200 to earn a profit of $100.
Get Started Betting On NFL MVPs
Betting on the NFL MVP awards and other season-long futures bets is one of the most enjoyable way to bet on football. But before checking out the NFL MVP futures, scroll through BetArizona.com for all the latest updates and guides on NFL betting in Arizona, such as moneyline, parlays bets in AZ and NFL futures bets.
NFL MVP Betting Trends
Since the 2001 season, only three non-quarterbacks have been named Most Valuable Player. Those three were all running backs – Shaun Alexander (2005), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006) and Adrian Peterson (2012). As the 2022 season opened, the top 16 candidates for MVP were quarterbacks, but Vikings WR Justin Jefferson and Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill now appear on many lists in the top 10.
Another trend worth mentioning is the success of a player's team. A player named MVP is usually on a team that reaches the postseason. An MVP doesn't necessarily have to be on the No. 1 seed in his respective conference, but the team needs to be successful and in the playoffs for him to garner votes.
Previous NFL MVP Winners
Over the past 10 years, only one non-quarterback has taken home the Most Valuable Player award. Here are the last 10 winners and their respective teams that season:
| 🥇 Aaron Rodgers (QB) | 2021 – Green Bay Packers |
| 🥇 Aaron Rodgers (QB) | 2020 – Green Bay Packers |
| 🥇 Lamar Jackson (QB) | 2019 – Baltimore Ravens |
| 🥇 Patrick Mahomes (QB) | 2018 – Kansas City Chiefs |
| 🥇 Tom Brady (QB) | 2017 – New England Patriots |
| 🥇 Matt Ryan (QB) | 2016 – Atlanta Falcons |
| 🥇 Cam Newton (QB) | 2015 – Carolina Panthers |
| 🥇 Aaron Rodgers (QB) | 2014 – Green Bay Packers |
| 🥇 Peyton Manning (QB) | 2013 – Denver Broncos |
| 🥇 Adrian Peterson (RB) | 2012 – Minnesota Vikings |
List Of Teams With Most MVP Winners
The Packers have the most NFL MVP winners at 10. Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Bart Starr each took home the award before the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. Here are the franchises with the most MVPs and the players with the most awards for each team:
- Green Bay Packers - 10 (Aaron Rodgers 4x, Brett Favre 3x)
- Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts - 9 (Peyton Manning 4x)
- San Francisco 49ers - 5 (Steve Young 2x, Joe Montana 2x)
- Cleveland Browns - 4 (Jim Brown 3x)
- St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams - 4 (Kurt Warner 2x)
List of Teams With No MVP Winners
Seven franchises have not produced an NFL MVP winner. Those franchises are:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How Is The NFL MVP Award Typically Decided?
A panel of 50 sportswriters and journalists from around the country vote on the MVP award. This vote will happen after the regular season but before the playoffs. These 50 voters come from the Associated Press, but will often include sports personalities and broadcasters.
Arizona Cardinals Favorites for the NFL MVP Award
Kyler Murray, the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, is his team's top choice among oddsmakers to win the MVP award. His odds opened at +2200 at Caesars Sportsbook and at BetMGM Sportsbook, but those Arizona online betting odds can vary from site to site. A rough season for the Cards and a Murray injury knocked him out of contention. He was at +50000 at the start of December.
Other Popular NFL Futures Bets
If you want to bet on the NFL, but don't find moneylines and point spreads appealing, then futures bets might be the next-best option. NFL futures bets are simply placing a bet on a long-term outcome. Players can wager on just about every award and outcome, such as the MVP Award, Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl champion, etc. The appeal of a futures bet is that a bettor can watch/root for a team or player all year long rather than just in one week. Here is a list of just a few of the most common futures bets available to NFL bettors.
Super Bowl Winner
Outside of the MVP award, betting on the upcoming Super Bowl champion is the most common futures bet on the market. All 32 teams will have futures odds posted for their chance to win the championship, but as the season goes on, those odds will slowly be lowered or removed completely once teams drop out of playoff contention.
Bettors can wager on other similar outcomes, such as conference champion, division winner, etc. Some sportsbooks offer odds on which teams will have the best record in their respective conference and how all four teams might place within a division. Be sure to check out your favorite sportsbooks to see all the latest odds for the Super Bowl and other season-long futures bets.
Offensive Player Of The Year
Much like the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year is another award where you can place a futures bet. This award more often is given to non-quarterbacks. However, quarterbacks can win this award as well: Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan have taken home this award in recent memory. The 2021 winner was Cooper Kupp, after he led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Here is a look at the past 10 Offensive Player of the Year award winners:
| 🥇 Cooper Kupp (WR) | 2021 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🥇 Derrick Henry (RB) | 2020 – Tennessee Titans |
| 🥇 Michael Thomas (WR) | 2019 – New Orleans Saints |
| 🥇 Patrick Mahomes (QB) | 2018 – Kansas City Chiefs |
| 🥇 Todd Gurley (RB) | 2017 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🥇 Matt Ryan (QB) | 2016 – Atlanta Falcons |
| 🥇 Cam Newton (QB) | 2015 – Carolina Panthers |
| 🥇 DeMarco Murray (RB) | 2014 – Dallas Cowboys |
| 🥇 Peyton Manning (QB) | 2013 – Denver Broncos |
| 🥇 Adrian Peterson (RB) | 2012 – Minnesota Vikings |
In the past decade, the same player won the NFL MVP and Offensive POY in the same season five times. So it is possible for a non-MVP to take home this award.
Be sure to check out both the MVP odds as well as the Offensive Player of the Year odds to see which players are the best values heading into the season.
Defensive Player Of The Year
Bettors can also wager on the defensive player of the year at most online sportsbooks. This award typically favors pass rushers as there has never been a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year in the secondary. Over the past decade, players such as Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt and Khalil Mack have dominated this award as their sack totals have a great influence over voters. Here are the past 10 Defensive Player of the Year award winners:
| 🥇 T.J. Watt (OLB) | 2021 – Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 🥇 Aaron Donald (DT) | 2020 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🥇 Stephon Gilmore (CB) | 2019 – New England Patriots |
| 🥇 Aaron Donald (DT) | 2018 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🥇 Aaron Donald (DT) | 2017 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🥇 Khalil Mack (DE) | 2016 – Oakland Raiders |
| 🥇 J.J. Watt (DE) | 2015 – Houston Texans |
| 🥇 J.J. Watt (DE) | 2014 – Houston Texans |
| 🥇 Luke Kuechly (LB) | 2013 – Carolina Panthers |
| 🥇 J.J. Watt (DE) | 2012 – Houston Texans |
Don't completely shy away though from defensive backs and linebackers. They are more likely to take home this award than a wide receiver or offensive linemen is to win the MVP. We've seen several safeties (Ed Reed, Bob Sanders, Troy Polamalu) win the award over the past 20 years, so search for the best MVP odds and values when betting on the defensive player of the year.
Coach Of The Year
Another common NFL futures bet is the Coach of the Year award. Typically, this award goes to the coach whose team surpassed expectations that season. The coach with the most wins will usually get some votes as well. Here are the past 10 NFL Coach of the Year award winners:
| 🏈 Mike Vrabel | 2021 – Tennessee Titans |
| 🏈 Kevin Stefanski | 2020 – Cleveland Browns |
| 🏈 John Harbaugh | 2019 – Baltimore Ravens |
| 🏈 Matt Nagy | 2018 – Chicago Bears |
| 🏈 Sean McVay | 2017 – Los Angeles Rams |
| 🏈 Jason Garrett | 2016 – Dallas Cowboys |
| 🏈 Ron Rivera | 2015 – Carolina Panthers |
| 🏈 Bruce Arians | 2014 – Arizona Cardinals |
| 🏈 Ron Rivera | 2013 – Carolina Panthers |
| 🏈 Bruce Arians | 2012 – Indianapolis Colts |
NFL MVP FAQ
Author
Marcus Mosher covers the NFL, NFL Draft and NFL news for BetArizona.com. The managing editor of The Raiders Wire is also a contributor to The Athletic DFW, Pro Football Weekly and FanSided, and previously wrote for FanRag Sports. He hosts Locked On Cowboys Podcast. During NFL season, Marcus tracks his picks as a handicapper for Bookies.com.
