The Associated Press Most Valuable Player award has turned into a quarterback award and it’s easy to understand why.
The advent of analytics that has helped us understand the game better has shown that the quarterback position is unarguably the most valuable on the field. Since 2000, only four non-quarterbacks have won the award with all of them running backs.
- 2000: Marshall Faulk
- 2005: Shaun Alexander
- 2006: LaDanian Tomlinson
- 2012: Adrian Peterson
A wide receiver has never won the award, even with some of the dominant wide receiver seasons over the past 40 years from the likes of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Calvin Johson and Cooper Kupp.
Outside of quarterback and running back, only three other positions have won the award.
- Vikings DT Alan Page-1971
- Commanders K Mark Mosley-1982
- Giants LB Lawrence Taylor-1986
This season, there are two wide receivers who have a legitimate claim to the award and one of them is Justin Jefferson. He has been tremendous this season with 81 receptions for 1,232 yards and five touchdowns.
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Jefferson was asked about his candidacy for MVP and he didn’t hold back his words saying he was the guy.
“No receiver ever has won the award. But to consider me as an MVP candidate is something that I’m grateful for. …I’m the Most Valuable Player in my own eyes. Getting the award would be fantastic but to be in the discussion is good enough.”
The Vikings wide receiver is arguably the best candidate for the award and another great game from Jefferson could seriously accelerate that conversation. This is the year to deviate from the quarterback position and give it to the best wide receiver in football.
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