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Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 3:29 pm
by SeahawkFever
Out of curiosity,
What in your opinion are the best cases a player who was not a quarterback or running back has had for the MVP award since the 1960’s?
In Elliott Harrison’s old NFL Throwback video from 2018 I think he mentioned the following as potential MVP snubs that weren’t quarterbacks or running backs:
Ed Reed in 2008
Wes Chandler and Everson Walls in 1982
Derrick Thomas in 1990
JJ Watt in 2014
Jerry Rice in 1987
I’ve seen some people say that stats in 1987 deserve an asterisk because the regular players only got 12 games and the strike impacted things.
One other I’ll throw in: I think 1995 Jerry Rice is an even better case than 1987.
Unlike in 1987, Rice’s quarterback was hurt part of the year, and while their record was 11-5, the Niners had the number one offense by points and a bad run game, and while 22 receiving touchdowns jumps off the page, 1,848 receiving yards, as well as 122 receptions may as well.
I’d still take Brett Favre over Rice that year ultimately, but that’s arguably a better MVP case than 1987 because Steve Young wouldn’t cancel him out like Montana could have for 1987.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 5:55 pm
by Brian wolf
I feel Rice was the MVP in 1995 with Grbac starting games with Young injured. Favre had a great year but so did Sharpe.
Hirsch in 1951 and Kupp in 2021 had MVP type years. Chandler in 1982. Have to research more on defensive players but Harvey Martin in 1977, Reggie White in 1987 had great pass rush years.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 4:23 am
by CSKreager
Ed Reed in 2008 wasn’t even the most valuable DEFENSIVE player I that year
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 7:23 am
by Citizen
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2026 5:55 pm
I feel Rice was the MVP in 1995 with Grbac starting games with Young injured. Favre had a great year but so did Sharpe.
Sharpe was done by then. Robert Brooks filled in OK as WR1, but he wasn't the difference maker Sharpe was. And behind him were marginal guys like Mark Ingram and Anthony Morgan, which IMO makes Favre's season (4,413 yards passing, 38 TDs) all the more extraordinary.
As for the OP's prompt, I'd propose Reggie White in 1987. Twenty-one sacks and 76 solo tackles in 12 games is pretty remarkable.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 8:29 am
by Brian wolf
Youre right Citizen ... Sharpe was done in 1994. Brooks had a great 1995 but Favre was MVP over Rice. Big year for other receivers.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 12:43 pm
by ShinobiMusashi
I don't think I've ever seen anybody make a case for Rodgers deserving the 2014 award over Watt. Rodgers numbers for the modern era of inflated passing stats weren't spectacular enough to take that award from what Watt did that year, fewer than 4,500 passing yards, less than 40 touchdown passes, only 1 fourth quareter comeback/GWD, and no Super Bowl ring. Watt put in a historic performance for his position that year for that decade, then factor in that he was coming in and catching touchdowns at TE on offense too. With hindsight even though the award is given out before the playoffs the fact that Rodgers didn't win a ring that year with those numbers makes it more egregious, even though Watt's Texans didn't make the playoffs he single handedly dragged a team on his back that should have been 3-13 or 4-12 to a winning record with little to no supporting cast around him on that defense. By 2013 opposing teams really started to gameplan around him when they played the Texans, for him to still make the impact he made in games in 2014 the way he did with opponents strategy focusing on eliminating him from the game is something else. To me it was one of the greatest single season defensive performances I have seen since watching football starting in 91-92.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Sun May 31, 2026 2:10 pm
by JohnTurney
agree -- JJ Watt, 2014
Cooper Kupp, 2021
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2026 2:58 am
by CSKreager
ShinobiMusashi wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 12:43 pm
I don't think I've ever seen anybody make a case for Rodgers deserving the 2014 award over Watt. Rodgers numbers for the modern era of inflated passing stats weren't spectacular enough to take that award from what Watt did that year, fewer than 4,500 passing yards, less than 40 touchdown passes, only 1 fourth quareter comeback/GWD, and no Super Bowl ring. Watt put in a historic performance for his position that year for that decade, then factor in that he was coming in and catching touchdowns at TE on offense too. With hindsight even though the award is given out before the playoffs the fact that Rodgers didn't win a ring that year with those numbers makes it more egregious, even though Watt's Texans didn't make the playoffs he single handedly dragged a team on his back that should have been 3-13 or 4-12 to a winning record with little to no supporting cast around him on that defense. By 2013 opposing teams really started to gameplan around him when they played the Texans, for him to still make the impact he made in games in 2014 the way he did with opponents strategy focusing on eliminating him from the game is something else. To me it was one of the greatest single season defensive performances I have seen since watching football starting in 91-92.
Yeah but who did the Texans really beat? They were 9-7 for a reason. He wasn’t THAT good
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2026 3:21 am
by JohnTurney
CSKreager wrote: ↑Fri Jun 05, 2026 2:58 am
Yeah but who did the Texans really beat? They were 9-7 for a reason. He wasn’t THAT good
He was pretty rare, not sure what your criteria is, but he was worthy of MVP consideration, IMO.
Re: Best MVP cases by non-quarterbacks and running backs
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2026 7:23 am
by 7DnBrnc53
He was pretty rare, not sure what your criteria is, but he was worthy of MVP consideration, IMO.
Yeah. And, why does the QB have to only be MVP, especially in the last 20 years or so when it's gotten way easier to play the position because defenses have become neutered.