We haven’t even got halfway through the 2024 NFL season and speculations about this year’s MVP are already in full swing. While many people would guess that it would be another quarterback like Lamar Jackson or Mahomes, veterans like Mike Florio are of a different opinion. Now here’s a question for you folks. Would you take Tom Brady’s MVP pick over a veteran analyst? Brady votes for a QB and the analyst does not.

Betting enthusiasts are still scratching their heads as to why Patrick Mahomes has such a high spot on the list. He hasn’t done much to be in the race, right? Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, CJ Stroud and Jordan Love (tied) are the favorites in the MVP race, in that order. But after watching Goff and Jackson play in the last few games, clearly, that list needs some revision. Florio is here to do just that.

Will Lamar Jackson be sidelined from the MVP convo this season?

Mike Florio and his colleague Michael Holley were discussing how QBs from one seed in both divisions usually compete for the MVP spot. Holley pointed out that from a betting standpoint, if the Chiefs QB wins the MVP spot due to team performance, it will be okay. But individual performance-wise, it won’t be. The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-0 right now but it might not be because of Mahomes. It’s because of the defense that the Chiefs have.

Other QBs in this comparison are far ahead in the conversation and Mahomes’ stat line doesn’t look impressive with those 8 interceptions. None of the top 5 QBs on the list have more than 4 interceptions so far till week 7. The 3x Super Bowl winner also has the least yardage when compared to the other 4 QBs in the odds list, except Jordan Love. But as far as someone from NFC is concerned, Florio thinks that Jared Goff would be a strong competitor.

However, the analyst threw a curveball when he brought up Derrick Henry’s name in the mix. But there’s a precondition for that. “Who’s the number one seed in the NFC? If it’s the Lions, it’s Jared Goff, becomes the likely top vote,” Florio said on Pro Football Talk on NFL on NBC. “Goff has to be my pick, my vote. It all has to be hypothetical,” Florio further iterated saying that we won’t know until the regular season is over.

Now comes the juicy part. Derrick Henry has to break some records to be on Mike Florio’s MVP list. What are those records? Check out what Florio has to say. “If Derrick Henry sets the single-season rushing record and he’s on pace to do it that’s the caveat I always apply to this.” The caveat is that a non-QB might have to break some sort of NFL record to win the MVP. Hence, Florio thinks that if the Ravens running back stays healthy and breaks the rushing record this season, he can win the MVP award.

In 7 games, King Henry has 134 carries over 874 yards and also has 8 touchdowns to his name. He’s also leading the league in those numbers. Though it would be great for Derrick Henry and his Ravens, it might catch Lamar Jackson off guard.  He has recorded 1,810 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions through week 7. This is the least amount of interceptions in the league right now. He threw 5 touchdowns in the last game against the Buccaneers alone. And that game might certainly add to his MVP resume.

On the other hand, the way Jared Goff has played in the last couple of games, he might easily be the king of the north and can easily clinch that record. Let’s look at what the Detroit Lions have done in the past couple of weeks.

Jared Goff and his Lions silence the NFC

The Lions are easily the best team in the NFC right now with a 5-1 standing. Only one team is comparable to the Motor City team and that’s the Minnesota Vikings. But, the Lions put an end to their perfect run and that game was something to see. For a moment, Detroit might have thought they were in trouble when they fumbled the ball. It was returned the other way by the Vikings. But Goff managed to put the team in field goal range to seal the game with a 31-29 victory.

The Lions QB completed 22 of his 25 passes over 280 yards and threw two touchdowns in the process. But Goff had already set an NFL record. He completed all his passes when he went 18 for 18 in the win against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s these types of games that make Tom Brady think that the Lions QB is a cut from the same cloth as that of an MVP.

In the latest edition of his Let’s Go! Podcast that came out on October 22, Brady analyzed Goff’s performance through seven weeks and gave his verdict. Per the 8x Super Bowl winner, “He’s [Goff] accurate, stands in the pocket, and makes the throws. He knows he will not run around like Patrick or Lamar or Josh Allen, but he’s going to read the coverages out, he’s going to make the decisions, he is very accurate throwing that ball down the field, he has got receivers who are getting open. It’s just a good formula for winning”.

Right now, the only QB in the league that has the potential to outperform Jared Goff is Lamar Jackson. In all honesty, Patrick Mahomes could have been in that conversation right now if he had some major talent around him. He can’t throw moonballs to the receiver that the Chiefs have on their roster right now. Until that happens, the Chiefs will be relying on their defense. Last year, Jackson won the MVP, but this year, that recognition might go to Jared Goff.