2024 NFL MVP: Can a non-QB win MVP? The answer lies in the remarkable performances of players outside the quarterback position, and one standout is making a compelling argument.
Saquon Barkley has emerged as a serious contender for the MVP award after an impressive run of performances. In a memorable Week 12 clash against the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles star rushed for 255 yards, marking the highest single-game rushing total since 2009. Barkley also added 47 receiving yards, setting a franchise record with a total of 302 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns in the process.
[Related: Can Saquon Barkley become the first RB to win MVP since 2012?]
Currently, Barkley is on track to achieve approximately 2,150 rushing yards, which would surpass Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. While maintaining this pace may be challenging, the possibility of him becoming the first non-quarterback to claim the MVP title in over a decade is increasingly plausible.
To understand the landscape of the MVP race, it’s insightful to reflect on five non-quarterbacks who have come close to winning since Adrian Peterson’s historic achievement in 2012.
J.J. Watt is one of only two defensive players to ever win the MVP award, and in 2014, he made a strong case to become the third. The Houston Texans icon dominated the field with 20.5 sacks and 59 total tackles, leading the league in fumble recoveries and tackles for loss. Watt’s 2014 season was historic, as he recorded 119 pressures, the highest number tracked by Pro Football Focus since 2006.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Watt contributed to the offense, catching three touchdown passes when deployed as a tight end in goal-line situations. Despite his stellar season, it was Aaron Rodgers’ exceptional performance that earned him the MVP title, as he led the Green Bay Packers to a 12-4 record, while Watt’s Texans finished at 9-7.
Watt received 13 first-place votes, the highest for a defensive player since Lawrence Taylor’s win in 1986, but ultimately settled for his second Defensive Player of the Year award.
J.J. Watt arguably had the best season for a defensive player in 2014. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In 2016, rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott also made waves in the MVP conversation. Alongside fellow rookie Dak Prescott, he transformed the Dallas Cowboys from a struggling team into a formidable 13-3 contender in the NFC East. Elliott rushed for a league-high 1,631 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, making him the youngest player to rush for 1,600 yards in a season.
Despite his remarkable performance, Elliott could not clinch the MVP award, which went to Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons, who threw for nearly 5,000 yards and led his team to the Super Bowl.
Ezekiel Elliott immediately turned the Cowboys around in 2016. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
2017: Los Angeles Rams RB Todd Gurley
In 2017, Todd Gurley emerged as a dual-threat in Sean McVay’s new offense, rushing for 1,305 yards and leading the league with 13 touchdowns. He also excelled in the passing game, recording 64 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns, showcasing his versatility.
Despite Gurley’s standout season, the MVP award went to Tom Brady, who had another stellar year for the New England Patriots, demonstrating that even exceptional performances by non-quarterbacks can fall short in the MVP race.
Todd Gurley had a strong season in 2017 that earned him MVP votes, but not enough to top Tom Brady. (Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
2021: Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp
In 2021, Cooper Kupp had a phenomenal season, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns—a feat known as the receiving triple crown. His 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns helped propel the Rams to an NFC West title and ultimately a Super Bowl victory, yet he finished third in MVP voting behind Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.
Kupp’s exceptional performance highlights the challenges non-quarterbacks face in the MVP race, as the award often gravitates toward quarterbacks, regardless of the contributions from other positions.
As the 2023 season unfolded, it became evident that the MVP race could again be influenced by non-quarterbacks. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey both displayed outstanding performances, with McCaffrey finishing the season with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns, solidifying his status as a top contender.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey was among the favorites to win MVP for much of the 2023 season. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
