My Dark Horse Super Bowl MVP Pick

As the Super Bowl gets closer, many of us are starting to look at wagers, trying to figure out how we can make a little money on the game. For me, though, I won’t be making nearly as many bets as I usually do during the Super Bowl because I already have a dog in this fight. As a Seattle Seahawks fan, I’m going to be emotionally invested in this game, and I don’t want to be financially invested as well. I'm sure you understand.

That said, I can’t help but dive a little into gambling for the last football game of the year. Now, this isn’t financial advice, and honestly, I’m not even sure I’ll place this bet yet. But while looking at the Super Bowl MVP odds, one great value play immediately stood out to me: Ernest Jones IV. Linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.

Sure, it’s common for the Super Bowl MVP to be the quarterback of the winning team, and that makes sense. But I think this year could be different. I’m expecting a low-scoring game, and my lean is Seattle winning a very close matchup. That might be biased because I’m a Seahawks fan, but I see people everywhere predicting a blowout. I’m telling you now, that won’t happen. The Seahawks are not going to blow out the Patriots.

So why Ernest Jones IV?

First, I don’t think Drake Maye will be throwing the ball downfield much. Not only is his shoulder a concern, but the Seahawks’ defense will likely force him to take short, safe throws over the middle. That’s where Ernest Jones IV comes in. I think he’ll clean up in tackles and put up impressive numbers. On top of that, I expect Maye to throw at least one interception, maybe even two, and Jones could very well snag one himself. He already has six interceptions this season, including the playoffs, with his latest coming against Brock Purdy in the divisional round.

Jones isn’t just a stat-stuffer, he’s a proven leader. He’s a Super Bowl champion who’s played on the big stage before, and his experience will rally the Seahawks. He’s a difference-maker, the kind of player who inspires his teammates.

The narrative fits perfectly, too. In 2024, the Seahawks’ defense struggled to start the season, even after Mike Macdonald joined as head coach. Fans were promised a defensive mastermind, but the results weren’t immediate. Then, Seattle made the trade for Jones around the trade deadline. Since arriving, he’s transformed the defense, serving as a leader and motivator, recruiting players like DeMarcus Lawrence and Cooper Kupp to join the team and has lifted the entire team’s play.

At 125-to-1 odds, Ernest Jones IV as Super Bowl MVP is a great bet. I think he’s going to fill up the stat sheet, make his presence felt, and be a central figure in this game. Even if it’s a defensive struggle and if that's the case, I think a defensive player from Seattle could win the MVP if the Seahawks emerge as Super Bowl champions. So, if you’re asking me who could take home the award for the Seahawks on defense, my pick would be Ernest Jones IV.