Matthew Stafford has the 14th best odds at an MVP
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Matthew Stafford has the 14th best odds to win the NFL MVP award (+4000) which puts him tied with Dak Prescott and Trevor Lawerence but behind quarterbacks such as former Ram Baker Mayfield (+3400), Caleb Williams (+3100), Jordan Love (+3100), and Brock Purdy (+2500). Stafford is constantly touted as one of the elite talents in the league by fellow players and coaches but somehow continues to get disrespected in MVP odds.
Why it doesn’t make sense
Stafford has put up the MVP-level stats in the past and has been looked over before. During LA’s path to the Super Bowl in 2021, the former Detroit Lion put up 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns with a completion rate of 102.9 and didn’t even crack the top three in MVP voting. That year the award went to Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (39 votes) who had 4,115 yards passing and 37 touchdowns with a QBR of 111.9. Cooper Kupp finished third in voting that year after nearly topping Calvin Johnson’s receiving record with the help of the quarterback passing to him.
In 2012, Calvin Johnson set the NFL single season record with 1,964 receiving yards. His QB was Matthew Stafford.
In 2021, Cooper Kupp had the second most receiving yards in a single season in NFL history with 1,947. His QB was – and still is – Matthew Stafford.
Puka Nacua… pic.twitter.com/sg0whgea75
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2023
Les Snead has added even more talent around Stafford this year with Devante Adams landing in LA during free agency and Terrance Ferguson and Jarquez Hunter being added through the draft. This may be Sean McVay’s best roster since 2018 when he had prime Todd Gurley but this time around he has a future hall of famer throwing around the ball. Puka Nacua is entering his third year in the league and is one of the best receivers in football while the offensive line looks to be more stable than it has in past years.
Stafford is also proven. He is a Super Bowl Champion and is one of the most clutch quarterbacks in league history and yet he has somehow fallen to those that are unproven. Jayden Daniels has the fifth best odds (+850), Justin Herbert is the sixth (+2000), and CJ Stroud the seventh best (+2500).
They brought Matthew Stafford to LA to win a Super Bowl.
He delivered. #SBLVI @RamsNFL | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/2iVHsGvnaD
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
MVP voters like dual threat and flashy quarterbacks
There is no argument that Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen should be at the top of any MVP voters list. Their ability to move out of the pocket and make things happen with their feet is what sets them apart from the rest of the league. Stafford will never be that. He may be one of the last pure-passing gunslingers in an evolving league that favors the mobile quarterback.
But if that were entirely the case then why does Jared Goff find himself higher on the list than Stafford? Or even Brock Purdy for that matter?
Stafford has never seemed to care about accolades on his way to greatness. After signing a team-friendly contract this offseason his focus is a Lombardi Trophy, not an MVP.
Do you think Stafford should have better odds to win the MVP this season? Where would you put him? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
