Jarrett Stidham’s MVP odds feel like a trap bet

Surprising MVP odds for Stidham.

New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham is looking at surprisingly favorable MVP odds.

He’s got the same odds to win as quarterbacks Josh Allen, Jimmy Garoppolo, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and Ben Roethlisberger and running backs Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey.

That’s good company for Stidham, who hasn’t even won the starting job (technically speaking). After all, if training camp doesn’t happen due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, then Stidham may not have an edge on quarterback Brian Hoyer, a veteran who has years of experience in New England’s offense and as a starter with other teams. Hoyer could win the job, and Stidham wouldn’t see the field.

Still, Las Vegas oddsmakers seem to like the second-year pro.

Don’t take the risk.

Yes, Stidham is a fun player to root for, with quarterback Tom Brady leaving the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And yes, Stidham could follow the line of quarterbacks who have converted Brady’s backup job into a success story. Garoppolo and Matt Cassel did just that in New England’s offense during Brady’s absences in 2008 and 2016. But Stidham doesn’t have the supporting cast that Garoppolo and Cassel had.

Brady’s reasoning for choosing the Buccaneers over the Patriots seemed to stem, in part, from New England’s lackluster skill group, which went largely unchanged over the offseason, with the exception of the addition of two rookie tight ends, Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. While N’Keal Harry may make a big leap in his second season and Mohamed Sanu may look healthier and more competent in his first full season with the Patriots, Stidham may look just as unsupported — if not more so — than Brady.

If you want to bet on Stidham’s MVP odds, wait until those odds are more favorable. He shouldn’t be in the mix with a handful of players who have more experience and a better supporting cast. Be patient. Las Vegas is probably overhyping Stidham with hopes of getting action.

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