Is the NFL MVP Always a QB?
Contents
The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award is given out annually to the player who is considered the most valuable in the NFL. But is the MVP always a quarterback?
Introduction
No, the NFL MVP is not always a quarterback. While quarterbacks have won the award a majority of the time, there have been plenty of other players who have taken home the MVP honors. Running backs, wide receivers, defensive players, and even a placekicker have all been named MVP at one point or another.
A Look at the Numbers
In recent years, it seems like the NFL MVP has always been a quarterback. In fact, from 2011 to 2018, the only non-quarterbacks to win the award were Adrian Peterson in 2012 and Aaron Rodgers in 2014. Why is this? Let’s take a look at the numbers.
MVPs by Position
Since the National Football League began awarding Most Valuable Player honors in 1957, quarterbacks have claimed the award a total of 30 times. That’s more than double the number of times any other position has been honored. In fact, quarterbacks have taken home the MVP trophy in 12 of the last 13 seasons.
Running backs have been honored 10 times, followed by wide receivers (6), defensive players (5) and tight ends (3). Only once has a special teams player ( Houston Oilers return specialist Billy “White Shoes” Johnson in 1975) or a kicker (Baltimore Colts placekicker Bert Rechistan 1962) been named MVP.
Non-QB MVPs
Since the National Football League’s inception in 1920, there have been only four occasions where a non-quarterback has taken home the Most Valuable Player award. In fact, three of those four seasons came before 1950. Thisordinance changed the way the MVP was selected and makes it unlikely that a non-QB will ever again take home the league’s highest individual honor.
The most recent non-QB to receive MVP honors was running back Adrian Peterson, who garnered 49 of 50 first-place votes following his 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings. That year, Peterson racked up 2,097 yards on the ground, which stands as the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.
Why the QB Position Wins So Much
Most people would say that the quarterback is the most important position on an NFL team. After all, the quarterback is the one who leads the offense and is responsible for getting the ball into the end zone. However, there are some people who believe that the quarterback is not the most important player on a team.
The Importance of the Position
In the NFL, the quarterback is the most important position on the field. Winning teams almost always have a great quarterback, and many experts believe that the quarterback position has never been more important than it is today. There are a few reasons for this.
First of all, quarterbacks now have more responsibility than ever before. In the past, quarterbacks were primarily responsible for running the offense and making sure everyone was in the right place. Nowadays, quarterbacks are expected to be play-makers and leaders. They often have to make quick decisions with the ball in their hands, and they need to be able to inspire their teammates to play at a high level.
Secondly, the rules of the game have changed in recent years to favor quarterbacks more than ever before. For example, pass interference rules have been changed to make it easier for quarterbacks to complete passes downfield. Also, changes to the instant replay system have made it easier for quarterbacks to get calls overturned in their favor. These rule changes have made it easier for quarterbacks to put up big numbers and win games.
Lastly, there is more money and more attention being paid to quarterback play than ever before. Teams are now willing to invest huge sums of money in franchise quarterbacks, and TV networks are always looking for exciting young quarterbacks to showcase on their broadcasts. The bottom line is that winning teams need great quarterback play, and that has made the position more important than ever before.
The Skill of the Position
The quarterback position has evolved into one that relies heavily on skill and athleticism. No longer is the big, burly quarterback who can barely move the ball down the field and relies on his defense to win games. NFL quarterbacks now are expected to be able to make all the throws, move around in the pocket to avoid pressure, and even run the ball if needed. The days of a stationary pocket passer are long gone.
This evolution has led to the quarterback position becoming the most important in all of football. This is because the quarterback touchs the ball on nearly every play, and his decision making often determines whether a play is successful or not. In addition, quarterbacks are asked to do more than ever before, making them even more valuable.
There are a number of reasons why quarterbacks have become so important in today’s game. One reason is that teams are now passing more than ever before. This means that quarterbacks have more opportunities to make an impact on the game. In addition, quarterbacks are now responsible for more than just passing the ball. They are often asked to run plays from shotgun formations and make decisions on when to hand off or keep the ball themselves. This means that they have a greater impact on the outcome of plays.
Another reason why quarterbacks have become so important is that they are often asked to lead their team in very difficult situations. In many cases, it is up to the quarterback to make a play when the game is on the line. This can be very difficult for even the best players, but it is something that quarterbacks are expected to do. Because of this, quarterbacks who can come through in these situations are very highly prized by NFL teams.
The last reason why quarterbacks have become so important is that they are often considered the face of their franchise. This means that they are expected to be great leaders and role models for their team and their fans.Quarterbacks who can handle this responsibility well can be extremely valuable to their team both on and off the field
Conclusion
In short, the answer is no. Although quarterbacks have taken home the MVP award a whopping 29 times out of 54 total occasions, that doesn’t mean that other positions can’t lay claim to the title. In fact, in recent years we’ve seen running backs, wide receivers, and even a defensive player take home the MVP honors.