Barring a historic performance from a pass rusher or skill player, the 2021 NFL MVP will be a quarterback. Since 2007, 13 of the 14 award winners have been signal callers. The only exception was Adrian Peterson, who had to run for 2,097 yards in a year where former MVPs Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees were all good, but not great enough to cancel each other out, allowing a running back to sneak in.
This season is primed to provide more of the same, even if Derrick Henry is on pace to break — or maybe shatter — Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Kyler Murray has the Arizona Cardinals off to a 6-0 start while completing nearly three quarters of his passes and averaging nearly nine yards per attempt. Josh Allen has the Buffalo Bills streaking after regaining his 2020 MVP-caliber form. Tom Brady, 44 years old, is on pace for more than 5,800 passing yards.
While a non-passer may not win the award, they could still be the most important piece of their team’s postseason hopes. Who fits that description?
