Can Brady outgun Mahomes and Jackson to win MVP?

Posted on | September 4, 2020 | No Comments

Tom Brady produced the biggest storyline of the NFL off-season by leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons and joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady and the Patriots could not come to an agreement on a new contract, forcing the hand of the 43-year-old to turn elsewhere.

The six-time Super Bowl winner signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers, where he will attempt to prove that he can triumph on the grand stage without Bill Belichick. Brady has already been joined by tight end Rob Gronkowski after the former All-Pro reneged on his retirement and was traded to the NFC South outfit by New England. Both players have a point to prove and it would not be a surprise to see the two best players at their respective positions claim another Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Brady has been surpassed as the best quarterback currently operating in the NFL by Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes – the last two winners of the MVP award. The 43-year-old claimed the award in 2017 for the third time in his career – only two shy of Peyton Manning’s record of five. Brady has almost every record in the book, and after seeing his competitive nature over the 20 years of his career, he will be determined to match the achievement of his former rival or at least close the gap in his twilight years.

He has arguably the best set of receivers at his disposal than at any time during his career – other than perhaps the 2007 campaign when Brady broke Manning’s touchdown record with 50 strikes. Manning surpassed that six years later with 55, and that mark is yet to be overhauled since. That could be beyond even Mahomes and Jackson this season, therefore Brady may have to set his sights on simply being the best player in the league. The 43-year-old is backed in the NFL odds on bet365 at +1600 to be named MVP in 2020 behind Mahomes, Jackson, Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott.

Brady’s numbers last year were down significantly on his performance in 2018 and well below the standard of his 2017 MVP display. The Patriots lacked talent across the board with only Julian Edelman rising to the occasion. At Tampa Bay, Brady has arguably the best wide receiver tandem in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at his disposal, with a reliable slot option in Scotty Miller. Gronkowski leads a talented tight end group alongside Cameron Brate and O.J Howard.

The Buccaneers will have an embarrassment of riches in the red zone, which will leave opposing teams in a bind over who to cover and when. Brady should have no problem racking up the touchdowns given the talent available. He also has a stout offensive line that will give him time and space to pick out his targets downfield. It’s not out of the question that he could match the statistics seen in the 2007 season. Evans is not Randy Moss, who scored 23 touchdowns in that campaign, but double figures is within his reach. Chris Godwin enjoyed an excellent season in 2019 and is capable of becoming the safety blanket in the mold of Edelman and Wes Welker. The tight ends should take him over the top, with Gronkowski fit again and eager to show that he is the best in the game.

Watch out for Brady this season. The old stager might just have something left in the tank to show the young guns that he is the GOAT for a reason.

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