Roethlisberger’s NFL MVP Odds Continue Shortening; Steelers QB Now a Top 10 Contender

• Ben Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing yards in 2018
• Steelers’ QB has only played 16 games four times in 15 years
• Carson Wentz, listed at +800, in line for a big season offensively

When sportsbooks released their 2019 NFL MVP odds, Ben Roethlisberger was almost an afterthought.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion opened with a +4000 average across all sportsbooks to win the MVP award, but his odds have steadily shortened over time and into the regular season.

Big Ben is listed as short as +1500 and as long as +3000 depending on the sportsbook.

After leading the NFL in passing yards in 2018, is there any value in betting on Roethlisberger to win the most valuable player?

2019 NFL MVP Odds

Odds taken 09/06/2019

Roethisberger may have lost his prime wide receiver in Antonio Brown, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders in the off-season. But the pain hasn’t lingered too long knowing JuJu Smith-Schuster is now Big Ben’s top target on the field.

Roethlisberger connected with Smith-Schuster for more than 1,400 passing yards last season and that very well could be the case with the 2019 campaign in progress.

"I'm on record with this: Ben Roethlisberger is my dark horse pick to win the MVP." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/MyvWty1oAC

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) August 30, 2019

Mahomes Still the Favorite

Patrick Mahomes is still the top favorite on the board at +375 and despite all the success the Chiefs’ QB had in his sophomore season in Kansas City, Rothlisberger still managed to put up more passing yards a year ago.

But can the 37-year-old repeat his 2018 stats without Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell? Roethlisberger, who has struggled to stay healthy in his career, shocked the football world in 2018 by throwing for 5,129 yards with 34 touchdowns. It marked the first time Big Ben had more than 5,000 passing yards and over 32 TDs in a single season.

I sat down with @steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to talk about changes in the locker room, younger guys stepping up & Andrew Luck's retirement. Check it out on @nflnetwork tonight at approx. 9:40pm ET #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/v9YVi909lE

— Andrea Kremer (@Andrea_Kremer) September 3, 2019

What’s even more impressive is that Roethlisberger played a full 16-game season — only the fourth time he has accomplished that feat during his 15-year career.

Comparing the stats from 2017 and last season, there was a significant 900 passing yard improvement. Roethlisberger only played one more game in 2018 compared to the previous season.

To say the least, it’s going to be extremely difficult for Roethlisberger to produce his 2018 stats in consecutive seasons.

So what other quarterbacks are worth betting on to win the 2019 NFL MVP?

Money on Wentz

While Mahomes will be a betting favorite for many, it’s worth taking a really close look at Carson Wentz.

Coming off another injury-plagued season, the Philadelphia Eagles pivot is as healthy as he’s been in years since suffering a torn ACL and then a stress fracture in his back.

“We have the pieces and it’s my job to get the ball to the playmakers and let them do their jobs.”#FlyEaglesFly

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 3, 2019

Flashback to 2017 when Wentz was having a career year before going down with a knee injury. He led the Eagles to a 12-1 record, threw for 3,296 passing yards and 33 touchdowns before going down.

Wentz, who is listed at a very enticing +800 price, is primed to have a season much like 2017 statistically. Now he just has to stay healthy.

Patrick Mahomes reigns supreme as our @ESPNNFL experts' pick for MVP 👑 pic.twitter.com/I15mnOJjPN

— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2019

Will It Be a Brees?

If you’re looking for a longshot for 2019 NFL MVP, consider Drew Brees at +1500. Put the age aside for just one second. Yes, Brees is 40 years of age, but he has shown he can still be an effective QB.

Case and point in 2018 when Brees played all but one game and threw for 3,992 passing yards with 32 touchdowns to lead the Saints to a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship before well, we all remember the outcome there.

Mahomes is a strong candidate and a solid bet for NFL MVP, but consider taking Wentz at +800 while you can.

Pick: Carson Wentz (+800)