The debates over this year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner in the NFL are heating up. As each week passes, the outlook changes, but here’s a look at some of the top contenders as of right now.
Aaron Rodgers
I’m a sad Vikings fan, so this one is tough, but Rodgers could cement his status at the top if he continues to play the way he has. After Tom Brady’s historical loss against the Saints in Week 15, Rodgers rocketed his way up the MVP rankings. Even though the quarterback had a rough start to his season and missed a game due to COVID-19, the quarterback has only improved since. Rodgers has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only four interceptions throughout 13 games. After the Cardinals bore a loss to the Rams in Week 14, the Packers are sitting at the top of the NFC. In a close game against the Baltimore Ravens, Rodgers met the Packer’s record of 442 touchdown passes set by Brett Favre when he wore green. The Packers are also the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
Tom Brady
This one is no surprise. The 44 year old Quarterback has never looked better, showing everyone his longevity. Brady experienced his first shutout in 15 years on Sunday against the Saints. The Buccaneers are still on top of the NFC South though, and Brady is still leading the league in passing yards (4,134). The QB also leads the league in touchdown passes, with 36 on the season. The GOAT has racked up a few other accomplishments this year as well. Brady threw his 700th career touchdown in a win over the Buffalo Bills, and is now the league’s all-time leader in completions. As much as some wish there was a better argument, Brady gives no reason why he couldn’t be this year’s MVP.
Jonathan Taylor
It’s exciting to hear about someone other than a quarterback so high up in the ranks. The running back has given no reason as to why he should not be with the big dogs this year, but a win seems pretty shaky despite all of his accomplishments this season. Taylor has 19 touchdowns on the season, more than any non-quarterback in the league. He also leads the league with 1,518 rushing yards. Right below the injured Derrick Henry, Taylor averages about 108 rushing yards per game. Taylor has so much momentum this season and he is not slowing down.
Cooper Kupp
Could a receiver win it all? The answer is yes. Cooper Kupp is nothing short of remarkable this year. His Week 15 game against the Seahawks brought Kupp’s season yardage to 1,625. He’s also marked 14 touchdowns and 122 catches as well. The receiver has three more games to prove himself, and he could even break the 2,000 receiving yard mark. It seems like a stretch, but with Kupp, anything could be possible.
"He has 20 more catches than the next closest WR, 290 more receiving yards than the next closest WR, and 3 more receiving touchdowns than everyone. If Jonathan Taylor is getting MVP love and we're opening it to non-QBs, @CooperKupp better get some love too." –@Pschrags @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/LjY7G4tRLX
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 22, 2021
Josh Allen
Josh Allen may not be the most favored in the MVP picture, but he certainly deserves to be in the ranks. Allen is holding his own this season, and has just recently become the youngest NFL player with 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game. His numbers only get better, with 3,734 passing yards, and 31 total touchdown passes. Allen’s also thrown only 12 interceptions this season.
Kyler Murray
This young talent has brought the Cardinals to the forefront of NFL talk this 2021-22 season. Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were at one point the only team in the league to have gone undefeated. Still, the team holds an astounding record of 10-4 to date, the same as the Buccaneers. The player is slowly slipping down on the MVP ranks after missing three games and gathering his lowest completion percentage of the year against the Los Angeles Rams, but the season is not yet over.
Justin Herbert
This fresh face as of 2020 has proved his strength this year with the Chargers. The young quarterback is third in the league with 4,058 passing yards, 284 rushing yards, and tied for second with 32 total touchdown passes. Despite an overtime loss to the Chiefs on December 16, Herbert still put up some outstanding numbers. He completed 22 out of 38 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns, and he threw only one interception. Although the Chargers trail the Chiefs in the AFC West, they are still holding their own this season thanks to the stealth and skill of this young athlete.
As the season continues to wrap up, so will the guessing. For now though, what are your predictions? Are there any missing in this picture?
