The 7 best Super Bowl MVP long-shot bets for Eagles-Chiefs
Saquon Barkley is the rare non-quarterback to be a top-two Super Bowl MVP favorite ahead of this year's big game between the Eagles and Chiefs, coming in with the second-best odds (+240) to win the award behind Patrick Mahomes (+105). Other than that anomaly, the odds are about as expected.
Jalen Hurts is a close third (+375) behind Barkley before odds plummet to 15-1 for the next closest player, Travis Kelce. After him, odds drop to 30-1 for two more players than 60-1 or longer for everyone else. Outside of the top three, everyone is a long-shot.
That doesn't mean they don't have a chance. Since the last running back won MVP in 1998 (Terrell Davis), nine players at four other non-QB positions -- middle linebacker, outside linebacker, free safety, wide receiver -- have also won the award. If that's to happen again in 2025, the MVP will almost certainly be one of the following players.
Odds via BetMGM
7. Zack Baun (+8000)
As Philadelphia's middle linebacker, Baun had more tackles this season than all but five players in the entire NFL. He also had 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. That game-wrecking ability combined with also helping to defend Travis Kelce could help win him the MVP.
6. Cooper DeJean (+25000)
DeJean makes this list because of his potential to impact the game in multiple ways. First, he'll be patrolling the slot for the Eagles, which could see him matched up with top receiver Xavier Worthy a lot. He's also Philly's primary punt returner and very capable of taking one to the house.
5. Nick Bolton (+50000)
Bolton doesn't typically accumulate the same amount of tackles as Baun manning the middle for Kansas City, but he might have to in this game with the way the Eagles are likely to use Saquon Barkley. That opportunity to have an impact against an MVP favorite is why Bolton ranks higher.
4. Jalen Carter (+6600)
Interior lineman like Carter don't typically win MVP, but it's hard to ignore the impact he has for the Eagles' defense. If he can generate pressure up the middle on Patrick Mahomes and can force the quarterback into some ill-timed mistakes, Carter can cap his All-Pro season with some hardware.
3. Chris Jones (+6600)
Another All-Pro interior lineman, Jones at least has the benefit of doing it from all over the line, and he does get to the quarterback frequently, leading all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate, per ESPN. Do that and chip in on stopping Barkley and Jones could find his way to a new trophy.
2. Xavier Worthy (+3000)
Whether utilized as a runner or pass catcher, Worthy's blazing speed makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball -- and he should be seeing a ton of touches. He leads the Chiefs in targets and catches in the postseason, and we know how creative Andy Reid can get in the SB.
1. A.J. Brown (+3500)
Brown is the best offensive playmaker nobody is talking about in this game, with all the attention on the Philadelphia side understandably going to Barkley. But if the Chiefs are able to devise a gameplan to slow the running back, Brown becomes the most next likely candidate to take over.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The 7 best Super Bowl MVP long-shot bets for Eagles-Chiefs
