By Larry Rupp
The Los Angeles Rams have been Super Bowl Champions for over a month now and NFL fans are already getting antsy for the return of their favorite sport. Free agent signings and cap casualty cuts are underway, which means it is never too early to sneak a peek at the 2022 MVP odds.
It shouldn’t be surprising to hear that quarterbacks dominate the early ballot. A whopping 12 signal-callers are listed before another position shows up and eight of them are currently on AFC rosters. Let’s take a look at some of the leaders, with all odds according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+600)
The 2021 season may not have ended the way Buffalo Bills fans were hoping it would, but it’s hard not to be excited about the future under quarterback Josh Allen. The four-year pro has thrown for at least 4,400 yards and 36 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Not only that, but Allen is also coming off a campaign in which he tied for the league lead in rushing yards per attempt (6.3).
If the 25-year-old can get off to a hot start in 2022, then he will be in the MVP conversation all year long. Allen’s arm strength is powerful enough to carry the Bills’ offense through the air against even the league’s top defenses. Meanwhile, he could lead Buffalo in carries again unless the front office brings in a workhorse RB this offseason. Simply put, there may not be another QB in the league that has as much of an impact on his team’s chances of winning than Allen.
Most passing TDs under pressure in last 2 seasons
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) February 28, 2022
🔥 Josh Allen – 25 pic.twitter.com/E2uKEfcnHv
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+600)
Was there ever any doubt? Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes is likely going to be toward the top of every preseason MVP odds list for the next decade or so. After all, he took home the title back in 2018 and owns a ridiculous record of 50-13 as a starter in his career. That includes an impressive 8-2 mark in the playoffs to go along with one Lombardi Trophy.
Mahomes struggled with interceptions this past season (13) and went through an early rough patch that derailed his MVP case. On the bright side, he is set up for a massive bounce back season. The fact that the All-Pro playmaker has wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce at his disposal should only catapult his success. A fifth straight AFC Championship game appearance by the Chiefs would make it hard for anyone to deny just how exceptional Mahomes is.
Most passing yards under pressure in last 2 seasons
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) March 2, 2022
🔥 Patrick Mahomes – 2,435 pic.twitter.com/43l9g6ecrT
Rest of the Field
Aaron Rodgers has to be mentioned here at +800 odds. The 38-year-old will aim to win his third consecutive MVP Award and guide the Green Bay Packers to their fifth Super Bowl of all time. Keeping wide receiver Davante Adams around on the franchise tag should appease Rodgers, too.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos went all-in by trading a bevy of draft picks and NFL players to acquire nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. He now joins a crowded AFC West division and could be worth a look at +1200 odds assuming he can lead his new squad to a playoff berth.
The first non-QBs to make an appearance include Tennessee Titans’ running back Derrick Henry (+3500), Rams’ wide receiver Cooper Kupp (+5000) and Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor (+6000). Seeing any one of them approach or even break an NFL record would cause their odds to skyrocket over the course of the season.
.@danorlovsky7 expects Russell Wilson to flourish in Denver.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 9, 2022
“We could very well see the best Russell Wilson we've seen in his career.” pic.twitter.com/Q1JR13KUz2
Picture Credit: Steve Jacobson
