The NFL season is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time for NFL bettors to drop some money in hopes of a massive payday. A smart bet is on three-time MVP quarterback Tom Brady adding another award to his collection.
Why Tom Brady Is A Smart Bet For MVP
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the perfect setup for an MVP quarterback. Winning MVP typically involves compiling stats, and nobody is in better position to do that than Tampa’s quarterback. The Buccaneers have what is probably the best wide receiver duo in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Additionally, O.J. Howard offers immense upside and Rob Gronkowski can still probably make a few plays in the red zone, if nothing else.
Along with compiling stats, an MVP quarterback also needs to win their division. While this won’t be easy with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, it’s definitely possible. The Buccaneers have a fantastic head coach in Bruce Arians, a fantastic front seven, and a young, talented secondary. On paper, this is one of the most talented teams in the league. It’s not a popular take right now, but the Bucs should be favorites to win the division.
Stats and wins are the most important part of an MVP case, but a good narrative doesn’t hurt either. For the first time in his career, Brady is going to be playing for someone other than Bill Belichick. One of the more frustrating sports arguments is if Belichick made Brady great, or vice versa. Ignoring the obvious fact that both are ridiculously good at their respective jobs, Brady winning without Belichick will be a great narrative that will only improve his MVP odds.
How Much Does Brady Have Left?
Of course, this sort of bet only pays off if Brady has anything left in his tank. At age 43, Brady is in completely uncharted territory for a quarterback. However, all signs point towards him remaining at an elite level for the next few years.
Brady might not be what he was, but he’s still one of the best in the league. While his numbers took a bit of a dip last year, most of that blame can be placed on the feet of his supporting cast. Brady spent the entire year throwing to the battered corpse of Julian Edelman and nobody else. Mohamed Sanu busted his ankle in his second game with the Patriots, Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown hardly contributed, and N’Keal Harry didn’t play like a first-round pick. Any dip in Brady’s actual ability should be easily offset by the increase in supporting talent.
Some quarterbacks struggle during their first season with Bruce Arians, but Brady shouldn’t be one of them. While he might turn the ball over more than he would in a typical season, he won’t need too much time to adjust to the system. Brady’s seen everything the league could possibly throw at him and has forgotten more about football than the average quarterback will ever know.
Lastly, there is a chance that COVID-19 shortens the NFL season. This could actually play to Brady’s advantage, as he has slowed down at the end of seasons in recent years. Tom Brady might not be a shoo-in to win MVP, but he has favorable odds and is a worthwhile bet.
