Kevin Durant Makes Controversial NFL MVP Pick in 2024

NBA superstar Kevin Durant has sparked debate with his controversial prediction for the NFL's 2024 Most Valuable Player award.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Durant is a big fan of the Washington Commanders. Over the years, he has remained optimistic about the organization's direction. But this season, he has expressed high hopes for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team's No. 2 overall draft pick.

Typically, the NFL MVP is a quarterback’s award since it's the only position that touches the ball on every play. Out of the 18 non-quarterbacks who have won the award, the most recent was running back Adrian Peterson in 2013.

According to Vegas Insider , the seven players with the best odds to win in 2024 are:

1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Josh Allen
3. C.J. Stroud
4. Jalen Hurts
5. Joe Burrow
6. Lamar Jackson
7. Dak Prescott

Only three active NFL players have won an MVP. Mahomes has two, Jackson has two, and Aaron Rodgers, who is not even listed in the top seven, has four.

In a recent sit-down interview with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams Show,” Durant made a controversial choice. Despite his loyalty to the Commanders, Durant sided with an NFC East rival, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Prescott.

"It's easy to say like Lamar and Patty (Patrick Mahomes), Jalen Hurts," Durant said. "But I'm going to go with — ugh, I can't say that because I hate the Cowboys — but even though they always play well, I was going to say Dak (Prescott)."

Durant then got into why he chose Prescott.

"Because the Cowboys play well in the regular season," he added. "For the last four years, I think, right? ... I hate to give the Cowboys credit, but I just can't disrespect the game of football."

The rivalry in the NFC East runs deep, and Commanders fans were certainly taken aback to hear Durant choose a Cowboys player. In 14 matchups between the two teams with Prescott at quarterback, Dallas has won eleven times, compared to Washington's three.

Just before the Cowboys’ Week 1 opener, Prescott made headlines by signing a record-breaking four-year, $240 million extension , making him the highest-paid player in NFL history as of signing.

Since entering the league in 2016, Prescott has been one of the NFL's most prolific passers. However, he's struggled with interceptions and has yet to get his team over the hump in the playoffs. The furthest the Cowboys have gone is the NFC Divisional Round (three times) despite five playoff appearances in Prescott's eight pro seasons.

Dallas won big in Week 1 with a 33-17 victory in Cleveland, but Prescott was limited to 179 passing yards and one touchdown on 19-of-32 passing.

Related: Cowboys Jerry Jones Sets High Bar For Dak Prescott Contract Justification: Troy Aikman?