NFL MVP 2020: The Favorites to Win the Award Ranked

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In his first season as a starter in Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes was named MVP after becoming only the third quarterback in NFL history after Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to throw at least 50 touchdown passes in a single season.

Last year, Mahomes followed up his historic breakthrough season by leading the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in half a century, adding the Super Bowl MVP award to his growing collection of honors.

His hopes to defend his MVP crown were derailed by a knee injury that sidelined him for two weeks, but the former Texas Tech alumnus is the bookmakers' tip to win the MVP award this season.

Here's how the main favorites compare.

Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is a 4/1 and 7/2 favorite with DraftKings and William Hill respectively to win a second MVP in three years and become the first player to claim the award twice before turning 25. Despite missing almost three games, Mahomes still passed for over 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

With the Chiefs returning 20 of their 22 starters this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Mahomes put up even better figures.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2 in Miami, Florida. Jamie Squire/Getty

Lamar Jackson

At 7/1 with DraftKing and 6/1 with William Hill, Jackson goes into the season as the bookmakers' second-favorite. The Ravens quarterback stormed to the award last season as Baltimore finished with a league-best 14-2 record and Jackson passed for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing for a scarcely believable 1,206 yards—the sixth-best figure in the league among all players. It's been over a decade since a player defended his MVP title—Peyton Manning won the award in 2008 and 2009—but if the Ravens' offense continues to steamroll opponents as it did last season, Jackson has all it takes to win a second consecutive MVP.

Russell Wilson

Wilson has been one of the best quarterbacks in football since he entered the NFL eight years ago, but the MVP award has proved frustratingly elusive for the former Wisconsin alumnus. Wilson threw for over 4,000 yards for the first time in three seasons last year and ranked third-best in the NFL with 31 touchdown passes. Seattle's receiving corps may be short of the talent at Mahomes' disposal in Kansas City but Wilson could be in the MVP conversation, particularly if the Seahawks manage to win the NFC West after literally falling inches short of the divisional title last year.

Dak Prescott

Only Jameis Winston had more passing yards than Prescott's 4,902 last season and only Lamar Jackson, Winston and Russell Wilson had more touchdown passes than Prescott's 30. Despite the stellar figures, however, the Cowboys finished with a disappointing 8-8 record, missing the playoffs and bringing Jason Garrett's spell as head coach to an end.

In the offseason Dallas turned to Mike McCarthy to replace Garrett and the former Green Bay Packers head coach's first move was to leave the keys to the offense in the hands of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. An offense already stacked with options in the shape of Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup was further enriched with the addition of CeeDee Lamb in the draft. At 14/1 Prescott is the fourth-favorite to be named MVP, but if he can get the offense firing, the Cowboys have all it takes to win the division and even mount a long-overdue Super Bowl tilt.

Tom Brady

After a record-breaking two-decade spell in New England, Brady begins a new era in Florida at the tender age of 43. While adapting to a whole new offense could be a challenge for Brady, his receiving corps in Tampa Bay are far better than the weapons he had at his disposal over his final season with the Patriots. At 16/1, the six-time Super Bowl champion is an outsider for the MVP but should things click in Tampa Bay, that figure could look like an absolute steal come December.

Deshaun Watson

Despite a porous offensive line, Watson added to his ever-growing collection of jaw-dropping reel last season, throwing for almost 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in the process. The Texans have lost star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, meaning there could be even more pressure on Watson to get the offense firing this season. The third-year quarterback is a 20/1 outsider in the MVP race but, according to DraftKings figures, is the fourth-most backed player behind Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott.