GREAT EXPECTATIONS
How the hottest topic in sports could actually come to fruition for Houston Texans
Nov 16, 2023, 4:15 pm
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
A rookie has only won the MVP once. Jim Brown in 1957.
Only two MVPs have won the award and missed the playoffs. Johnny Unitas in 1957, and O.J. Simpson in 1973.
Of the 57 MVP winners, 54 have been offensive players. 38 of that 54 have been quarterbacks.
C.J. Stroud can win NFL MVP as a rookie quarterback. It's possible.
I know what you're thinking. “Oh boy! Jermaine is about to go off on another one of his tangents again!” You'd be half right. I do have a bone to pick and something to say, but it's a legit thing that could happen. What helped me arrive at this conclusion was looking at the factors that go into something like this actually coming to fruition.
First off, let's look at the odds. As of this writing, Stroud is at +2000 betting odds for MVP. He's the sixth best betting favorite. He's coming off a game in which he beat (and outplayed) the fifth betting favorite in Joe Burrow who's at +1200. He's currently the runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year at -2000. Jahmyr Gibbs and Puka Nacua are next up at +1400 each. What I found EXTREMELY odd is Stroud isn't listed as a betting option for Offensive Player of the Year. As a frame of reference for how odd this is, Christian McCaffrey is tied with Stroud at +2000 for MVP, but is the betting favorite for Offensive Player of the Year at +125 along with Tyreek Hill. Hill is at +5000 for MVP. As they say: the math ain't mathin!
Next, I looked at the supporting cast around him. From coaches to teammates to staff/front office, the organization is completely behind this guy. His teammates love and respect him. He's constantly praised for his leadership skills. The coaching staff appreciates his work ethic and dedication to the craft. The staff/front office has spoken highly of him every chance they're asked. He and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are totally in sync. They can currently do no wrong. There's a reason why he's second in the league in passing yards overall, and leads the league in passing yards per game.
Finally, I looked at team success. Currently, the Texans are in second place in the AFC South. The Jags are in first by a game, but the Texans won their first matchup this season. In fact, the Texans have won 11 of the last 12 games in this series. They own the Jags over the last few years. The Colts lost their prized rookie quarterback for the season and are relying on their defense and offensive line to carry them. The Titans are run by Will Levis and Derrick Henry. Remaining opponents have a combined .446 winning percentage this season. That's fourth easiest in the league.
It's that final factor that I believe will help propel him to unforeseen heights. Nothing and nobody in the AFC South should scare this team after what they've been able to accomplish this season so far. The Carolina and Atlanta losses were inexplicable. They really should've beaten the Colts in that first matchup after Richardson got hurt. A few plays here and there, this team is 7-2. A little more fire and fewer injuries earlier on, and maybe they're 8-1. It really isn't as farfetched as it may seem.
We can't ignore the fact that he's having as good or arguably a better rookie season than any quarterback before him. His drive, focus, and work ethic will propel him to great heights. If he's going to continue to do the impossible, he'll need his organization to fully back him. Everyone has a job to do. If they all continue to do it as well as they all have, particularly over the last few weeks, Stroud should win MVP while the team makes the playoffs. Coming from the depths at which this team was to make the playoffs in one season mainly due to the play of Stroud should not only earn him MVP, but DeMeco Ryans should be Coach of the Year as well. He's the second betting favorite at +250 behind Dan Campbell at +175. Excuse me while I go place some bets.
(*All betting odds are courtesy of BETUS.com)
First baseman Jon Singleton was released Tuesday by the Houston Astros.
Singleton had hit .171 with a .239 on-base percentage, no homers and two RBIs in 17 spring training games. The 33-year-old batted .234 with a .321 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 42 RBIs while playing 119 games last season.
The Astros signed Singleton to a $10 million, five-year contract in 2014 just before he made his major league debut, and after he had served two suspensions in the minor leagues for positive marijuana tests.
He batted below .200 in 2014 and 2015 before getting sent to the minors. He spent the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons in the minors and then tested positive for marijuana a third time.
Singleton requested his release from the Astros after receiving a 100-game suspension for that third positive test. He left the game before returning to organized baseball in the Mexican League.
He got back into the majors in 2023, first with the Milwaukee Brewers and later with the Astros.
Singleton agreed on March 8 to a contract paying $850,000 while in the major leagues and $425,000 while in the minors.
Jon Singleton cleared waivers and will be released by the Astros, source tells @TheAthletic. There is still a chance he re-signs with the Astros, but Singleton will explore his options.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 25, 2025