Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the current betting favorite to win the 2023 AP NFL MVP award. But according to a multitude of executives from across the NFL, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the one who is deserving of winning the league’s most prestigious individual honor.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer polled 39 NFL executives to get their take on just who is the current frontrunner for this season’s NFL MVP award. Jackson received a total of 23 votes, and Mahomes came in second place with five votes.

For one AFC executive, Jackson is the favorite for the NFL MVP award for one simple reason.

“For me, he’s the best player on a top team playing the toughest position in sports,” an AFC executive told Breer. “His ability to put stress on teams in the passing game now is huge—and in the past it was just O.K. In my opinion, if [the Ravens] lost him, they’d crash and burn.”

An NFC executive noted to Breer that Jackson is a "dynamic player that’s also been extremely consistent."

Jackson leads the NFL in multiple stats, including completion percentage (71.5 percent). He ranks sixth in the NFL in passer rating (100.8), and he has also tallied 14 total touchdowns over nine games played.

In the big picture, Jackson sure could boost his odds for the NFL MVP honor with a formidable performance in the Ravens’ upcoming home matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Browns’ Amari Cooper sounds off on upcoming duel vs. Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey

Big clash upcoming.