Kirk Cousins currently has same MVP odds for 2023 as a third-string QB

Despite consistently ranking among the top-10 quarterbacks in passing yards and passing touchdowns during the last few years, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings typically isn't someone who is brought up in any discussions about who might be the NFL's MVP during the upcoming 2023 season. However, even some of Cousins' biggest critics would likely find his current MVP odds for the 2023 campaign a bit disrespectful.

According to the DraftKings Sportsbook, the Vikings quarterback currently has the 16th-best odds (+5000) to be named the league's MVP for the 2023 season.

Five other NFL quarterbacks also have the same current MVP odds as Cousins. This group includes Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers, Daniel Jones of the New York Giants, Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints, and Trey Lance of the Dallas Cowboys.

Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos, Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks, and Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions are currently among the group of 15 quarterbacks that currently have better MVP odds than Cousins for the 2023 season.

Lance having the same MVP odds right now might be the most disrespectful thing about Cousins' current odds. Lance was just traded to the Cowboys, and he's expected to begin the regular season as the No. 3 quarterback on Dallas's depth chart.

Cousins has a lot riding in his favor in 2023. He'll be working with the same play-caller in the same offensive scheme for the second year in a row (something that hasn't happened since 2016), he gets to throw to Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and now rookie Jordan Addison, and he'll have two of the best offensive tackles in the NFL blocking for him in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill.

Cousins isn't one of the MVP favorites heading into the 2023 season, and few are arguing against this belief. But with Minnesota coming off of a 13-win performance in 2022 and the fact that he's even more comfortable in Kevin O'Connell's offensive scheme than he was a year ago, more people should probably view him as a possible dark horse MVP candidate for this season.

At the very least, Cousins should have higher odds for the 2023 campaign than the current third-string quarterback for the Cowboys.