Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes that Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has a legitimate shot to win the league’s MVP award this season.
“Justin Fields is going to be in the MVP conversation this year because he finally has the right people around him to allow his talents to excel.”
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) May 8, 2023
- Former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky said on ESPN
The Bears added a few weapons, including star receiver D.J. Moore to help Fields continue to improve after he posted a strong second season in the NFL in the 2022 campaign.
Oddsmakers aren’t as sold as Orlovsky, putting the Bears quarterback at +2000 to win the league’s MVP award.
Justin Fields’ odds to win the NFL MVP Award this season
There is some precedent for Fields to at least be in the MVP conversation this season, especially since it's just his second full season as the team’s starter.
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson both recently won MVP awards on their rookie deals, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was the runner up to Mahomes last season. Hurts, who was in his second full season as the Eagles’ starter, thrived with the addition of AJ Brown on the outside.
Could Moore be the same boost for Fields?
It’s possible.
Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Cole Kmet and new tight end addition Robert Tonyan should give Fields a much better receiving corps than he had last season. Plus, the Bears invested in their offensive line in the offseason, drafting tackle Darnell Wright in the first round and signing proven guard Nate Davis to a three-year deal.
After taking a league-high 55 sacks last season, Fields should have more time to throw in the 2023 season, and that should also help his impressive running game.
The Bears quarterback ran for 1,143 yards last season, a major differentiator between him and several of the candidates for the league’s MVP award.
While the award is quarterback dominant and going to rely on the winner leading his team to the playoffs, Fields has a chance to win a suddenly wide open NFC North following the Aaron Rodgers trade.
At +2000, Fields could be worth a sprinkle, but bettors may want to make sure all of his weapons get through the offseason healthy before fully buying into the hype around the former Ohio State star.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.