BetSided Roundtable: Way Too Early 2022 NFL MVP

Super Bowl 56 is over, which means we can officially turn the page to the next NFL season. WynnBET already has you covered with NFL odds for next year. While they don't have MVP odds up yet, the BetSided team has you covered with the best "Way-Too-Early" MVP bets to make.

Let's dive into everyone's picks.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

The 2021 season was not a banner year for Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, but at age 33, he still very much remains in his prime and more than capable of producing eye-popping numbers.

There's two likely scenarios that could develop this offseason: he stays in Seattle or gets traded to a contender in win-now mode. Even if he stays in Seattle, the Seahawks still have two dynamic pass-catchers in D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett who each caught 10 touchdowns a piece when Wilson threw for 40 back in 2020.

If he leaves, he'll likely head to an offense that will let him operate a downfield passing game, complete with opportunities to let him cook both with his arm and his legs; as well as an improved offensive line.

Aaron Rodgers won the MVP at age 38 and 39, but Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford with their new teams weren't far behind. Wilson provides excellent value as more teams continue to overlook him following a down season -- Ben Heisler

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

I am all in on the Justin Herbert MVP hype. 

Herbert was second in passing yards, third in touchdowns and near the top of the list in unbelievable throws. It seemed like every week Herbert was making a play that would have your jaw on the floor. 

Herbert was just as good as any quarterback last season, but didn’t get the same recognition because of the Chargers’ record. I see Los Angeles making a big leap this year, largely because of Herbert, which will lead to MVP votes for him. Los Angeles has a lot of cap space to go out and get help for Herbert as well.

Herbert began the season last year at +1000. His odds were moved up significantly after his hype train got going during training camp. 

If Herbert and the Chargers can finally dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West and Herbert puts up at least the numbers he did this year, the MVP will be going home with him. -- Donnavan Smoot

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are my early lean to win Super Bowl 57, and I’m going to go all in and back Lamar Jackson as my way-too-early MVP candidate. 

Lamar was banged up in the 2021 season, and he didn’t have any of his top three running backs, his star left tackle Ronnie Stanley, and first-round receiver Rashod Bateman missed a ton of time at the start of the season. 

There may not be a more dynamic dual threat in NFL history than Jackson, and he’s shown he can win the MVP before. He’s going to need to improve as a passer from the 2021 season, but Lamar was in serious consideration when the Ravens started 6-2, but injuries really were the story of his season. 

A healthy Jackson  should lead this team to the top half of the AFC, so I’ll predict a bounce back year ended with an MVP. -- Peter Dewey

Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

If we are talking price, Lance is going to be at a crazy number when the markets open. This could either be toilet paper or a lottery ticket that can make you rich. It's February, let's think big.

Let's start with the facts, the 49ers are seen as a Super Bowl contender next season, priced around the fourth best odds to win the title. Nearly all Super Bowl contenders have an MVP candidate at quarterback and want to know what helps someone like Lance? He's new to the scene. Voters love new, something they haven't seen before, it makes him that much more valuable that we haven't actually seen him play to his full potential before.

Clearly Kyle Shanahan sees something in Lance, trading up to No. 3 in last springs NFL Draft to select him, and the team is set to let him loose in his second season. If the 49ers win the NFC West, which seems plausible based on their odds, Lance will certainly be in the mix for the award because that means the decision to go to him after a year of grooming behind Jimmy Garoppolo paid off. -- Reed Wallach

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals decided to focus on giving Joe Burrow weapons last offseason, and it worked out for the best, but now they have no choice but to invest in offensive lineman to protect their franchise QB. People know just how good Burrow is now, but now enough people are talking about the fact he was able to have that level of success while also being the most sacked quarterback in the league. I don't know if I've ever seen a QB perform that well with a shell of an offensive line. He led the NFL in yards per attempt this past season, so if he gets any level of protection, watch out. -- Iain MacMillan