The Kansas City Chiefs have won three Super Bowls since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting quarterback. Mahomes has also taken home the Super Bowl MVP award in all three of those wins.
The quarterback is generally considered the easy pick for the award from the winning team. Mahomes has been able to get the job done with his arm and legs on the biggest stage. However, could this be the year in which he does not take home Super Bowl MVP if the Chiefs win?
The chances of that happening may be more possible than ever. Mahomes' elite performance in the AFC Championship Game has followed a series of locked-in efforts throughout the postseason. But with the cast of weapons around him and game-changers from Steve Spagnuolo's defense, there are plenty of other solid options who could take home the award in Super Bowl LIX.
Kansas City has seen some veteran skill players step up in this playoff run. Do any of those look like worthy picks for Super Bowl MVP? Plus, which defenders have the best chance to win that award from the Chiefs?
Recent non-quarterback Super Bowl MVP winners
Including Mahomes' three Super Bowl MVP wins, a quarterback has won the award in seven of the last 10 Super Bowls.
Year | Super Bowl MVP | Team |
---|---|---|
2023 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs |
2022 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs |
2021 | Cooper Kupp | L.A. Rams |
2020 | Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
2019 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs |
2018 | Julien Edelman | New England Patriots |
2017 | Nick Foles | Philadelphia Eagles |
2016 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots |
2015 | Von Miller | Denver Broncos |
2014 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots |
Of the three non-quarterback winners in that span, two were wide receivers. Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams did so in Super Bowl LVI and Julian Edelman won it with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. The other non-quarterback in the last decade was pass rusher Von Miller when the Denver Broncos harassed Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50.
Non-Mahomes Chiefs would favor bettors greatly for Super Bowl MVP
According to FanDuel, Mahomes is the Super Bowl MVP favorite at +110 odds. Only Saquon Barkley (+280 odds) and Jalen Hurts (+350 odds) of the Philadelphia Eagles have odds lower than +1000. Therefore, if bettors believe this could be the year where Mahomes does not win the award during another Chiefs' Super Bowl win, the potential payouts could be quite rewarding.
Travis Kelce is second among Chiefs players on FanDuel for Super Bowl MVP, holding odds of +1800. Rookie Xavier Worthy (+3000 odds) is the next Kansas City pass catcher listed. Chris Jones holds the shortest odds among K.C. defenders. He and Kareem Hunt both hold +6000 odds on FanDuel.
Why a different Chief could make sense for this year's Super Bowl MVP
If it ends up being someone else besides Mahomes to take home Super Bowl MVP, there are viable reasons to buy into that possibly happening this year. For starters, Kelce has been one of the best playoff performers in NFL history. His rapport with Mahomes has been electric since the quarterback took the reins in Kansas City.
Kelce has been very productive in Super Bowls so far in his career. Overall, the tight end has combined for 31 receptions, 350 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns across four career Super Bowl appearances. Kelce has also tallied at least 6 receptions in all four of those outings.
As for Worthy, he and Mahomes have been as connected as ever late in the season and during the playoffs. If he has a performance like he did in the AFC Championship Game, it could be enough to get the rookie the award.
Kareem Hunt is a sneaky one. He has a touchdown run in both playoff games so far. His ability to get chunk gains has been a huge boost to the Chiefs offense. Interestingly, you have to go back to Super Bowl XXXII, 27 years ago, to find the last running back to win Super Bowl MVP. Terrell Davis was the last RB to do it. If Hunt won it, he would become the first running back to do so this century. What a storybook finish that would be to an unforgettable year for Hunt.
Chris Jones has created plenty of pressure in this playoff run. Could he make a game-wrecking play like he did in last year's Super Bowl? Also, Trent McDuffie had a tremendous outing last year. A cornerback winning the award is extremely tough. Yet, McDuffie has created turnovers late this year. He has made plenty of pass breakups over the last two postseasons as well. FanDuel lists him at +30000 odds, making that a possibly huge pay for bettors willing to take that chance.