"You don't see people game-planning for them": Cam Newton urges NFL MVP voters to ditch Matthew Stafford & Drake Maye for $160,000,000 stalwart

The NFL MVP race is heating up as the regular season draws to a close in around a week's time. The MVP race has seemingly come down to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and New England Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye.

While Maye and Stafford have been battling for the top prize for most of the second half of the season, former NFL MVP Cam Newton named his surprising pick for the award.

Newton said that Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett should win the award, as he is on the verge of breaking the single-season sack record and has teams planning for the veteran pass rusher before games. Newton said on ESPN's First Take:

"You don't see people game-planning Drake Maye, respectfully, not even Matthew Stafford as much as they game-plan against Myles Garrett. ...If we're talking about most VALUABLE player, (Garrett) has shown that he is the most VALUABLE player."

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The Browns star, who is on a $160 million contract, has 22 sacks for the season and is 0.5 sacks away from tying the single-season record held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Newton highlighted Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor's MVP win in 1986 to make a case for Garrett.

"Who does Myles Garrett remind us of? (New York Giants legend) Lawrence Taylor," Newton said. "(Taylor) won the MVP in 1986 with 20.5 sacks."

While Garrett's MVP bid seems like a long shot, the 30-year-old is expected to claim his second Defensive Player of the Year award this season.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye odds-on favorite for MVP award after steller showing against Jets

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford was reportedly leading the odds for the top prize last week. However, Drake Maye's five touchdowns against the New York Jets have made the 23-year-old quarterback the favorite for the MVP title.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Maye has (-400) odds for the award, giving him an 80% chance of being named the MVP heading into the final week of regular season.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash