It's that time of the year again – the NFL season is about to kick off, and fans are eager to see who will take home the elusive MVP award. For the past 12 years, the award has been dominated by quarterbacks, with only one running back, Adrian Peterson, breaking the trend. But could this be the year when that trend is finally broken? Let's take a closer look at the contenders.
On the rare occasion that it's not a quarterback, it's usually a running back. Adrian Peterson's 2012 season is a great example of this. He exploded for 2,097 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Since then, only Derrick Henry has achieved a 2,000-yard season, but will another running back emerge as a contender?
Sky Sports analyst Jason Bell thinks so. He believes Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' new running back, has the potential to light it up this season. Barkley has already gotten off to a stellar start, scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 109 yards in their week one win over the Green Bay Packers.
But what about wide receivers? It's hard to believe that no wide receiver has ever won the MVP award since its inception in 1936. Tyreek Hill could have been a contender last season if he hadn't been injured towards the end. With 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, he's definitely a player to watch.
Or, is it simply just a quarterback's league? Since 2017, nobody not named Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Aaron Rodgers has won the MVP. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, with 17 out of the last 20 titles going to QBs. It's difficult for players to win the award if they're not listed as a QB. Just ask Cooper Kupp.
So, who do you think will win the MVP award this season? Will it be a quarterback, a running back, or a wide receiver? Let's break it down.
