Caleb Harris
NFL players shouldn’t bet on anything involving the NFL and less than two weeks after the draft, two of the league’s best rookies are putting that rule to the test.
During a recent interview on the “All Facts, No Brakes” podcast, Jayden Daniels revealed that he made a huge bet with his former LSU teammate Malik Nabers about who will win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Commanders’ new quarterback, who was taken second overall in the draft, has a $10,000 bet with Nabers on who will take home the prize. Nabers was selected with the sixth overall pick by the New York Giants.
When Daniels asked host Keyshawn Johnson about the bet, he clearly didn’t feel very comfortable talking about the subject.
“Man, he shouldn’t tell anyone,” Daniels said, before admitting, “We have a little something going on.”
It seems the only reason Daniels was willing to talk about it is because Nabers had already mentioned the bet on another podcast.
“I mean, he put it out there, so it’s like I can’t say he was on edge,” Daniels said.
Nabers joined the podcast “The Pivot” shortly after being drafted by the Giants and revealed that he had made a bet with Daniels.
“Going against him will be fun,” said Nabers, via New York Daily News. “We made a bet for Rookie of the Year. Whoever loses has to pay, I think it’s $10,000 in cash.”
This could turn into a potential problem for the NFL because players shouldn’t bet on anything involving the NFL. If Nabers walked into a sportsbook and bet $10,000 on himself to win the rookie of the year award, he would face a lengthy suspension, but that’s obviously not the same thing, so it will be interesting to see how the league responds.
NFL gambling policy bans all personnel to bet on the NFL.
“All NFL personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party, on any NFL game, practice, or other event (e.g., draft or combine),” the policy states.
O gambling policy also notes that this “includes commercial gambling (whether for-profit, charitable or anything else) involving third parties (e.g. bookies, dealers, ‘the house’) as well as private bets between teammates , family and friends, or others.”
This third part is what could get the two newbies in trouble.
If you’re wondering who has the edge with this bet, it’s definitely Daniels, at least according to the oddsmakers.
Here’s a look at the current odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year (via BetMGM)
Based on these odds, Daniels appears to be in command to beat Nabers and take home the $10,000. However, there is also a chance that neither of them will win the prize, meaning no money would change hands. It’s also possible that the NFL will ask the duo to rescind this bet, because if the league allows it, it could encourage more players to make bets like this.
As for the rookie of the year award, Daniels will have to earn the starting QB job in Washington before he can be considered a viable candidate to win it, and right now, he’s not 100% sure he’ll be the Week 1 starter. .
“Am I anticipating (from Week 1)? I mean, I’m confident in my abilities, but that’s a decision they need to make,” Daniels said. said Keyshawn during the same podcast. “That’s above me.”
With Daniels on the Commanders and Nabers on the Giants, the two rookies will face each other twice in 2024. They’ll find out when those games will take place when 2024 NFL schedule will be released on May 15.
