MVP Bettors Seem To Love Justin Fields This Year
There is no question that the biggest quarterback wild card going into 2023 is Justin Fields. He can legitimately go in either direction this season. It isn’t hard to imagine he spins his wheels or even regresses. It’s also not hard to see him take a big leap forward into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. The flashes were there last season. He had some truly excellent performances against some good teams. Consistency was the issue. His passing still needs more polish, and he must do a better job of protecting himself when he runs.
That doesn’t seem to have stopped the swell of optimism around him as the season draws closer. Caesar Sportsbook has updated odds on the favorites to win NFL Most Valuable Player. There are the usual suspects at the top, like Patrick Mahomes (+650), Joe Burrow (+700), and Josh Allen (+750). Where it gets interesting is seeing Fields nestled between Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson at +2500. That means bettors have him at 25-1 odds to be MVP this year. Considering what he is capable of and the retooled offense around him, it isn’t crazy to think it’s possible.
Justin Fields needs two things to make this happen.
He needs better passing numbers and more wins. It’s really that simple. Everybody knows Fields will be a threat on the ground. Those highlights will certainly boost his national profile. However, they also know he ranked dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Quarterbacks that win MVP don’t do that. They put the ball in the air. They also make the playoffs. Unless those two criteria are met, Fields shouldn’t expect anything. Most would agree the team isn’t well-positioned enough to make this happen.
Their defense still needs work. Offensively they made the most progress (on paper) with the arrival of D.J. Moore and a revamped offensive line. Going from 3-14 to a wild card playoff berth would be a tremendous accomplishment. Justin Fields showed last season that he could put a team on his back to stay competitive. Now he knows the system far better. His arsenal of weapons is deeper. If the protection holds up, there is no reason to think the Bears quarterback can’t break through.