There are a number of reasons why a player may have bettors favoring them in an MVP race. Sometimes it is because that player is on a championship-contending team. Other times that player is coming off a great statistical season and is set to carry the team during the coming season.
None of those reasons really apply to Derek Carr. Nonetheless, the Oakland Raiders quarterback enters July as the fifth-most popular bet to take home the award at season's end, per Bleacher Report.
Here is the top five in order with odds, according to Silver and Black Pride.
1. Mitch Trubisky — 100/1
2. Baker Mayfield — 25/1
T3. Saquon Barkley — 80/1
T3. Ezekiel Elliott — 60/1
5. Derek Carr — 100/1
It's no surprise to see three of the top five players being quarterbacks, as that position has taken the award every year since 2012, when Adrian Peterson won it.
As for the favorites to win the award this year, Trubisky came out in the same draft as 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes, who won the award after an explosive first season as a starter. Mayfield, and Barkley were caught up in a hotly-contested battle for Rookie of the Year honors last season – with Barkley coming out on top – while Elliott is simply an elite back on a good team that will always put up stats.
Carr does seem like the odd man out here, but there could be some factors that work in his favor. He's entering his second season in coach Jon Gruden's system and the team also added Antonio Brown to its roster this offseason. Carr has been part of the MVP discussion before, and seems to be in a better spot this year than last.
So, why not?
Follow Us
Subscribe