The folks at Bovada.lv are taking action on the NFL MVP. Peyton Manning is the favorite with 3/1 odds. Aaron Rodgers checks in next at 6/1, then Drew Brees (15/2), Tom Brady (9/1) and Andrew Luck (12/1). Next after that group, Cutler checks in at 20/1 odds with Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and ahead of such media darlings as Colin Kaepernick (22/1), Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and Robert Griffin III, all coming in at 25/1 odds.
Other Bears on the MVP list include Matt Forte (66/1) and Brandon Marshall (75/1). Former Bears quarterback Josh McCown, who many believe outplayed Cutler last season was not listed.
Cutler will have to beat out other top QB’s in the NFC, but he’ll also have to overcome history. Putting aside the ridiculous body language and “leadership” questions, Cutler just has to play a full season. He’s started all 16 games for the Bears just once, in his first season in 2009. If Cutler can stay healthy, Marshall is certain that Cutler has what it takes to be the MVP:
"“I want to see what happens when they have a healthy Jay Cutler,” Irvin said. “I asked Brandon that very question; what do you think a healthy Jay Cutler for 16 games [can accomplish]? He said ‘MVP in the league.’ I said that’s high praise right there; you’re just going to take Peyton Manning off that shelf and just going to put Jay Cutler right up there like that? That’s the way he sees it."
What do YOU think? Does Cutler have what it takes to be the NFL MVP?