Could We See A Non-Quarterback Win NFL MVP This Year?

It’s no secret that the MVP trophy has quickly become a quarterback award in recent history, as since 2007 only 1 player has played a position outside of QB and won the award.

But, even though passing offenses still dictate the success of the league, there could be a better case than expected for another position to hoist the trophy.

In the history of the award, only 3 other positions outside of quarterback and running back have hoisted the trophy: defensive tackle Alan Page, linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and kicker Mark Moseley.

So, even though history dictates that the next position room you should consider for the award is a quarterback’s usual back-mate, it does not look like any season from a running back will earn the award.

But, as the passing offenses become more and more advanced as the seasons go, could we finally see a wide receiver or tight end win the award?

The first candidate with an argument for the award is Vikings star receiver, Justin Jefferson.

Justin Jefferson

Jefferson has had a career year, already setting the Minnesota franchise records in receptions (123) and yards (1,756) with 2 games left to play, and if he plays to his current per-game average, he will be within 10 yards of the first ever 2,000-yard season.

He has been the center point of the Vikings offense this year, as he had been targeted in 30% of Cousins’ passing attempts and is responsible for 33.4% percent of the team’s total scrimmage yards.

He has also come up big in some of the team’s biggest moments this season, including his 12 catches and 123 yards in the 33-point comeback against the Colts, his 2-touchdown game against the Packers in week 1, or how could anyone forget his game-saving catch on 4th down in a 193-yard game against the Bills.

And even though the player’s contract does not get considered in MVP votes, to receive this level of production from a player totaling a $3.5 million cap hit is a major plus, especially when the team’s quarterback is one of the least team-friendly deals in the league.

A player making about twice that this year is the other receiver that may have a chance to bring home the hardware, Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill

Hill, who came to Miami due mostly to the new Patrick Mahomes contract beginning to take up its portion of the cap space, is having his career-best year.

The ‘Cheetah’ has 113 catches for 1,632 yards and 7 scores, with a career-best in yards per game of 108.8, a catch percentage of 71.5%, and a league-leading yards per touch of 14.

He has allowed Tua Tagovailoa to significantly increase his numbers, leading the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9), yards per completion (13.7), and QB rate (105.5).

And with the extra attention brought to the fastest player in the league, he has benefitted the other weapons around him. Specifically with fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle, who went from a rookie year with 104 catches, 1,015 yards, and 6 scores to 67 catches, 1,260 yards, and 8 touchdowns. That’s a jump in yards per reception of 9.8 to 18.8, which leads all of football.

Hill is still very much affordable in comparison to his added value ($6.5 million cap hit), but his contract extension really comes into effect beginning next year, going north of $30 million in 2023.

Despite the loss of one of the game’s top wideouts, the Chiefs still find themselves competing for the 1 seed in the AFC. And it’s thanks to not 1, but 2 MVP possibilities.

Travis Kelce

While Patrick Mahomes may find himself as the frontrunner for the trophy, it would not be possible without his solidified top option in Travis Kelce.

Kelce had 97 catches for 1,257 yards and is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns at 12, which would be the 4th time in NFL history a tight end led the league in touchdown grabs.

With 2 games to go, Kelce is just 159 yards shy of the single-season tight end receiving yards record (set by himself in 2020).

Kelce has always been a top-tier weapon at the tight-end position, but the noticeable change outside of his projected career-high in targets is the the33-year old being used as a safety valve much more this year.

While Mahomes is one of, if not the best quarterbacks in the league when a play breaks down, Kelce has found himself taking both in plays designed for him and makeshift plays of athleticism, which has led to Kansas City’s top-rated passing offense.

And while he is not as affordable this year as Jefferson or Hill ($8.5 million cap hit), it’s safe to assume the remaining years of his tenure will be a lot more team friendly than his competition for in this article.

But for all three of these options, it’s tough to image a league so passer-friendly giving the best player award to a non-quarterback. However, as more quarterbacks are asked to do so much with their arms, it may increase appreciation for the position groups on the receiving end of these increase drop backs.