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Mac Jones immediately became one of the favorites to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after the New England Patriots released veteran quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday.

Jones’ OROY odds shortened significantly at numerous sportsbooks.



He went from +800 to +450 at PointsBet, moving past fellow first-round quarterbacks Zach Wilson (Jets), Justin Fields (Bears) and Trey Lance (49ers), and behind only Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence.

OROY Odds (PointsBet)

• Trevor Lawrence +350
• Zach Wilson +600
• Justin Fields +700
• Trey Lance +750

Jones’ OROY odds shortened from +1200 to +500 at BetMGM and from +700 to +300 at WynnBet. Jones was being offered at +1100 in early August by BetRivers. Those odds shortened to +800 in the past week and to +550 on Tuesday.

The sudden movement also makes Jones one of the biggest liabilities for sportsbooks in the OROY market.

He is the third-biggest liability at BetMGM to win the award behind Wilson and Steelers running back Najee Harris. Jones is currently backed by 9.1 percent (sixth-most) of the tickets and 17.8 percent (second-most) of the handle at the book.

Jones also saw his NFL MVP odds shorten from +25000 to +8000 at BetMGM, while his odds to lead the NFL in passing yards moved from +20000 to +5000. He is also being offered at +2500 to lead the league in interceptions.

PointsBet Director of Communications Patrick Eichner told Field Level Media that “Jones is currently our 4th biggest liability for OROY but that will change quickly…”

The former Alabama star was selected 15th by New England in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the fifth quarterback off the board behind Lawrence (No. 1 overall), Wilson (No. 2), Lance (No. 3) and Fields (No. 11).

Patriots’ Odds Unmoved

What wasn’t impacted significantly by Newton’s release was the Patriots’ odds.

Eichner said “the Patriots have not seen any moves as a team,” while New England’s Over/Under win total of 9 at WynnBet shifted from -145 to -150.

The Patriots’ Super Bowl odds at BetRivers remained at +3300, with their AFC championship (+1600) and AFC East title (+350) odds also unchanged following Newton’s release.

“The lack of movement in futures odds for the Patriots is an indicator the market doesn’t believe the team’s expectations in the division or conference have changed with Cam Newton gone,” Rush Street Interactive COO Mattias Stetz told Field Level Media. “However, now that it’s clear Mac Jones will be starting all 17 games barring injury, his award and performance prop futures have accordingly adjusted to that information.”

Newton, who struggled in the Patriots’ preseason finale after being sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, saw his NFL MVP odds lengthen from +8000 to +20000 at BetMGM. With no starting job in sight, Newton’s odds to lead the league in passing went from +5000 to +50000 while his odds of leading the league in picks lengthened from +2500 to +10000.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)