Khalil Mack’s Odds to Win NFL MVP Listed at +5000; Is There Any Reason to Bet Him?
By Cole Shelton in NFL Football
Updated: April 2, 2020 at 10:21 am EDTPublished:
- Khalik Mack’s MVP odds have shortened to +5000
- The Bears edge rusher has 4.5 sacks through Week 4
- Is there any reason to bet him at his current odds?
Khalil Mack has started the 2019 NFL season with a bang. As expected, he is anchoring the Chicago Bears defensive line, and frankly their entire defense. He is one of, if not the best defensive end in the NFL and is a perennial Pro Bowler. Yet given the realities of a defensive player trying to win MVP in today’s league, his 2019 NFL MVP odds started at a distant +11000.
After a phenomenal four weeks, those odds have shortened to +5000, which equates to roughly a 2% chance. Is there any reason to bet him at these odds?
2019 NFL MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tom Brady (QB, Patriots) | +1000 |
| Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens) | +1000 |
| Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys) | +1200 |
| Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers) | +1200 |
| Deshaun Watson (QB, Texans) | +1200 |
| Russell Wilson (QB, Seahawks) | +2000 |
| Baker Mayfield (QB, Browns) | +2000 |
| Carson Wentz (QB, Eagles) | +2800 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, 49ers) | +4000 |
| Philip Rivers (QB, Chargers) | +4000 |
| Khalil Mack (DE, Bears) | +5000 |
All odds taken 01/10/19.
Why Have Mack’s Odds Changed?
Khalil Mack is as high as any non-quarterback on the list, tied with other non-QBs like Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. He’s also the highest-ranked defensive player, followed by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald at +8000. And that is for good reason. He is probably the most valuable player on the Bears.
Mack has 12 tackles has 4,5 sacks, and has seemingly been in the backfield on almost every play. Even though he’s nowhere near the lead in either statistical category, his mere presence completely changes the game. Offenses regularly double-team him, resulting in other Chicago players picking up tackles and sacks.
Is There Any Reason To Bet Mack?
The short answer is no. He is a phenomenal defensive lineman and likely All Pro again this year. He may very well help lead the Bears to the playoffs again this season on another historically good defense.
First, defensive players simply don’t win NFL MVP. The last defender to earn the honors was Lawrence Taylor in 1986. If this was an era of defensive dominance in the NFL, maybe he would have a shot. But last we checked, reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes was putting up the same gaudy statistics that landed him the 2018 award.
The last defender to earn [NFL MVP] honors was Lawrence Taylor in 1986.
Second, Mack is not the best defensive player in the NFL, nor the best defensive lineman, with those honors going to Aaron Donald. At +5000, there is no reason to bet Mack. He has far less than a 2% chance to win NFL MVP.
Sports Writer
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
