2024 NFL MVP Early Season Favorites

Since 1957 the NFL regular season MVP has been awarded to a non quarterback just 18 times, with the last going to Adrian Peterson in 2012. Based on those numbers, the odds favor a quarterback to capture the 2024 honors.

As we look towards a new generation of talent looking to take over the NFL, it’s important to pay respects to the past, acknowledging players like five-time MVP Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers who was the last player to capture back-to-back awards in 2020 and 2021. With the 2024 season only a few weeks away, there are several quarterbacks who have emerged as the early favorites to battle it out for the coveted Most Valuable Player award.

Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs

Having already captured the award in 2018 and 2022, Mahomes would join an elite group of Manning, Rodgers, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Jim Brown, and Johnny Unitas as three-time winners.  With three Super Bowl championships and three Super Bowl MVPs to his credit, Mahomes makes the Chiefs “must-see TV” each week. With a unique ability to make extraordinary plays seem basic, combined with his leadership and clutch performances, Mahomes has already solidified his place among the league’s all-time greats.

Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills

A dual-threat quarterback, Allen’s only losing season during his six NFL seasons came during his rookie year in 2018 when he went 5-6. Since that time Allen’s performances have been nothing short of spectacular even though the Bills have fallen short of expectations. With a combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism, Allen has all the right tools to be considered among the elite quarterbacks of this generation. Unlike some of the other QBs on this list, Allen’s offensive options aren’t exactly on the same level, which hampers his chances of gathering MVP votes, but also highlights what he has been able to accomplish with lesser talent around him.

Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals

Entering his fifth year in the NFL, Burrow is coming off of a subpar 2023 season in which he went 5-5 in his ten starts. After reaching the AFC Championship game in 2022, there were high hopes for the Bengals to contend for the 2023 Super Bowl, but a slow start combined with a season-ending wrist injury to Burrow in Week 11 dashed any hopes of a playoff repeat. With a cannon for an arm, plus the ability to make plays outside of the pocket, Burrow has quickly become one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league.

C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans

In just his second NFL season, C.J. Stroud is one of the most heavily bet-on quarterbacks in the league to claim what might be the first of many MVP awards. After a slow start to their season, the Texans and Stroud surprised many by claiming a Wild Card berth and then advancing to the AFC Divisional Game. With a 9-6 record, Stroud captured the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and etched his name into the record books as the “youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game”. In his first season, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, completing 63.9% of his throws and adding in three rushing touchdowns of his own. With the offseason additions of Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, Stroud has even more offensive weapons at his disposal.

Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens

Last season’s MVP put up a career-high in attempts, completions, percentage, and yards, all part of his sixth straight winning regular season. But unfortunately, Jackson and the Ravens once again stumbled in the playoffs, falling in the AFC Championship Game to the Chiefs. Yet despite their post-season stumble, Jackson like Mahomes is appointment viewing each week and like the Chiefs QB, Jackson is seeking his third league MVP award. One of, if not the most, dynamic and exciting blends of speed, agility, and athleticism in the league, Jackson’s creativity with the ball makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

While these five quarterbacks are the early favorites, the NFL season is always full of surprises with emerging stars and breakout performances that can quickly alter the MVP race. As the 2024 season approaches Canadian betting sites are seeing an increase in activity surrounding the MVP race. Although these five individuals may be drawing the early attention of fans, darkhorse candidates such as Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles), and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) shouldn’t be overlooked by both fans and bettors.

As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, the MVP race will likely come down to which player can lead their team to one of the best records in the league, can stay healthy, put up impressive stats, and equally as remarkable moments in the clutch.