FanDuel Gambler Wagers $250 on Sam Darnold to Win NFL MVP

A FanDuel gambler named Jessie Hynes placed a $250 bet on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to win NFL MVP (at 300-1 odds) in the 2024 season. The bet would win $75,000. On the same day, he also wagered $250 on Darnold at 400-1 odds to win the AP NFL regular season Offensive Player of the Year Award.

FanDuel gambler Jessie Hynes responded to questions from CBS Sports in an email interview

Hynes, a 35-year-old lawyer living in New Jersey, replied to CBS Sports’ messages during a recent email interview. He was asked why he placed those wagers on the six-year veteran.

“When I do bet, it is generally football related. I often like to play the long shots, knowing that the likelihood of them hitting can be near zero,” wrote Hynes, who has yet to hit a long-shot wager.

When Hynes was asked why he placed those bets on Darnold, he wrote back:

“Sam Darnold is a QB [whom] I have always believed got a raw deal. Being drafted by the Jets is no picnic. I always felt he was never really set up for success. You could always see the pure talent that he has. I have honestly probably been one of his biggest supporters over the last few years. [I’ve] been following his career since he was drafted. … While I have certainly been made fun of for this, I still have Darnold on my two-team QB Dynasty Football team in a league with my friends.

“The Vikings have one of the most talented offenses and head coaches in my opinion. For now, Sam seems to be the starter. When I look at the situation that he is in, this is the year where you can definitively finally assess whether he is a draft bust or just unlucky. And for me, it’s kind of a ‘put-up or shut-up’ bet. I have been saying for years that he got a raw deal and would flourish if he ever found himself on a talented team with a good coach. I figured it was time to put my money where my mouth is.”

Hynes believes there’s more excitement with long-shot wagers as opposed to single-game bets

Although Sam Darnold is currently projected to be Minnesota’s Week 1 starter against the New York Giants, fans are expecting first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy to replace him this season.

Jessie Hynes let it be known that his bets aren’t “insignificant” for him. However, if he loses the money, he knows he won’t be without a home or food. He wrote that if he can’t afford to lose it, he won’t bet it.

Of course, Hynes added that he gambles for fun and excitement. The New Jersey resident said he doesn’t place wagers “as some coordinated effort to make a living.” He calls himself just a casual bettor.

CBS Sports also asked why he bets long shots as opposed to single games. Hynes said “there is more excitement there” with long-shot wagers.

“It gives you something to root for [over] a whole season rather than one game at a time,” he added. “I don’t really make bets as a form of income generation, it’s moreso fun that may pay out. Long shots have the excitement of a [potential] big payout, even though the odds are extremely unlikely.”

By the sounds of it, the FanDuel gambler has nothing to lose. Darnold has a record of 21-35 as an NFL starter. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has completed only 59.7% of his passes for 12,064 yards. He has also thrown 63 touchdown passes to 56 interceptions as well.