NFL MVP odds: Sam Darnold's unexpected surge has Vikings QB among leaders
The first month of the 2024 NFL season couldn't have gone better for the Minnesota Vikings. They find themselves as the lone undefeated team in the NFC at 4-0. The Kansas City Chiefs are the only remaining undefeated team entering Week 5. Head coach Kevin O'Connell is the leading candidate for Coach of the Year.
What's most notable is the play of quarterback Sam Darnold. The 2018 No. 3 overall pick has seen his MVP odds skyrocket as he's played the best football of his career over the last month. Darnold faces a difficult matchup against the New York Jets defense in Week 5 in the NFL's first London game of 2024.
If he performs well in Sunday's showdown with his former team, his MVP odds will continue to climb.
Here is a dive into the latest MVP odds and where Sam Darnold ranks.
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NFL MVP odds
Sam Darnold enters Week 5 tied for fourth in NFL MVP odds, according to the BetMGM NFL odds.
- Patrick Mahomes +240
- Josh Allen +275
- Lamar Jackson +1000
- CJ Stroud +1100
- Sam Darnold +1100
- Brock Purdy +1500
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Sam Darnold MVP odds
Sam Darnold entered the season as the presumptive backup or veteran bridge quarterback for rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Unfortunately, the No. 10 overall pick from the 2024 draft was ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus before the season kicked off.
This event thrust Darnold into the starting role despite the external uncertainty regarding his ability to be a full-time starter in the NFL. Darnold has been utilizing the excellent playmakers and coaching staff to the best of his abilities. The same abilities the New York Jets hoped to get out of him when they drafted Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He was selected behind Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley and ahead of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
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His time in New York ran out quickly, and the team traded him to the Carolina Panthers in 2021. His time with the Panthers was full of injuries and a revolving coaching staff. He signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 and was Brock Purdy's backup.
In the offseason, he signed a one-year $10 million contract with Minnesota, and the marriage couldn't have started better. Game script has been a significant factor in Darnold's early season success. The Vikings have held early leads in all four games, allowing the offense to lean on the run. Darnold has attempted the fifth-fewest passes this season.
Still, Darnold has multiple touchdown passes in all four games this season. His passer rating is a league-best 118.9, a significant improvement from his career average passer rating of 78.3 this season. The latter would rank 27th among qualified passers this season.
If Darnold continues to lean into his coaching staff and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, some NFL fans will start to believe that his success is a real thing.
What's more: The NFC is wide open. Minnesota is expected to have tight end T.J. Hockenson return to the mix soon, adding another weapon at Darnold's disposal.
Sam Darnold stats
- 932 passing yards - 9th
- 11 passing TDs - 1st
- 3 interceptions
- 73.5 QBR - 3rd
- 118.9 passer rating - 1st
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