Adrian Peterson was the last running back to win MVP, doing so in 2012.
It’s been a long time since then, and the NFL has changed quite a bit. The league has emphasized passing, even more than it did in 2012, and a different quarterback has earned the prestigious award every year since Peterson won.
Despite the odds stacked against running backs — or any position besides quarterback, really — there is a Vikings player at that position in the top 25 for odds to win MVP.
Dalvin Cook currently has the 21st best odds of winning the 2020 MVP award, according to BetMGM. He is at 6500. Kirk Cousins has the 23rd best odds to win the award.
The betting field is dominated by quarterbacks, but there are three running backs ahead of Cook. Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey are tied for the best odds among running backs with Derrick Henry trailing behind him.
Cook is coming off a career year where he had 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019.