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Roethlisberger’s 2020 NFL MVP Odds Steadily Improving After Positive Reports During Training Camp

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in NFL Football

Updated Mar 9, 2021 · 4:16 PM PST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) walks past the bench after throwing an interception late in the forth quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
  • Ben Roethlisberger’s odds of winning  the 2020 NFL MVP award have improved slightly in the last two months 
  • Roethlisbeger led the NFL in passing yards just two seasons ago and made four straight Pro Bowls from 2014-17
  • Find out if we think Big ben is worth consideration for a 2020 NFL MVP wager

Ben Roethlisberger is a bit of a longshot to win the NFL MVP award in 2020.

That is understandable, considering he is 38 years old and missed the final 14 games of last season because of elbow surgery.

However, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s NFL MVP odds have gotten slightly better in recent months. They have dropped from +4200 in mid-June to the current +4000.

2020 NFL MVP Odds

Player Odds at DraftKings
Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) +400
Lamar Jackson (Ravens) +700
Russell Wilson (Seahawks) +800
Dak Prescott (Cowboys) +1400
Tom Brady (Buccaneers) +1600
Carson Wentz (Eagles) +2000
Drew Brees (Saints) +2500
Kyler Murray (Cardinals) +2500
Deshaun Watson (Texans) +2500
Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) +3000
Cam Newton (Patriots) +3000
Aaron Rodgers (Packers) +3000
Baker Mayfield (Browns) +4000
Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) +4000
Matthew Stafford (Lions) +4000

Odds taken Aug. 20

Capable of a Big Season

Roethlisberger was one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL just two years. During the 2018 season, he completed 67% of his passes for 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Roethlisberger led the league in passing yardage, completions (472), attempts (675) and yards per game (320.0). On the other hand, his 16 interceptions also topped the NFL.

During his 16-year career, Roethlisberger has been selected to six Pro Bowls. He received the honor four straight years from 2014-17. Strangely, he was snubbed in 2018.

In 2014, Roethlisberger also topped the NFL with 4,952 yards and 309.5 yards per game. He then then led the league again the next season in yards per game with 328.2.

Brown, Bell Long Gone

The one constant for Roethlisberger during that outstanding stretch from 2014-18 was having one of the top wide receivers in the league in Antonio Brown.

During that five-year span, Brown averaged 115 receptions a season for 1,529 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also made the Pro Bowl each year.

Brown is gone now, though. He became disgruntled and the Steelers traded him to the Oakland last season, where he self-destructed and was released by the Raiders before season even started.

Brown is a free agent and serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s code of conduct, but he can still run.

Dual threat running back Le’Veon Bell was also a major part of that success during that time. His running ability helped keep defenses honest and he was a big factor in the passing game.

Over those four seasons, Bell averaged 1,119 yards rushing as well as 67 receptions and 565 receiving yards.

Bell famously sat out entire 2018 season while refusing to play under the franchise tag for a second consecutive year. He then signed with the New York Jets in free agency.

Uncertain Production

The Steelers were confident JuJu Smith-Schuster was ready to become the No. 1 wide receiver last season coming off a 2018 in which he had 111 catches for 1,426 and seven touchdowns.

However, Smith-Schuster had a disappointing 2019. He finished with just 42 receptions for 552 yards and three TDs.

Part of it was the uneven quarterback play, as Mason Rudolph and Devlin “Duck” Hodges were unable to fill Roethlisberger’s shoes. Part of it was also that Smith-Schuster had trouble adjusting to more double coverage with Brown gone.

JuJu says he is “lit” for 2020, though

James Conner has been a mixed bag in his attempt to replace Bell as the feature back.

Conner made the Pro Bowl two years ago, rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns and catching 55 passes for 497 yards. However, he was limited to 10 game by injuries last season and ended the year with 464 yards on the ground along with 34 catches for 251 yards.

Positive Camp Reports

All reports from training camp are that Roethlisberger is looking good. He is in good shape – weight has been a problem in the past – and throwing without pain.

How well good health translates into results of the field will not be known right away as the NFL preseason schedule has been scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We won’t know for sure until Sept. 14 when the Steelers visit the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in the season opener. Yet it seems unlikely Roethlisberger can again reach an elite level of performance without someone of Brown’s caliber as his top target.

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