As the NFL season enters the stretch run, let’s take a look at this year’s top MVP candidates. From elite quarterback play to dynamic offensive playmakers, there are some worthy candidates for the league’s highest on-field performance award.
1. Brock Purdy (QB, San Francisco)
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has gone from Mr. Irrelevant to being a very relevant factor regarding San Francisco’s Super Bowl hopes. The second-year player out of Iowa State has been turning heads this season, as he consistently delivers stellar quarterback play. He has full command of the NFC leading 49ers with just 3 games to go and looked impressive against the conference’s former top seed in Philadelphia. He threw for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 42-19 rout. In 2023, Purdy is leading the league in pass rating, completion percentage, touchdowns per attempt, yards per attempt, and yards per completion. This season, he has a passer rating of 119 which is in the top 10 in NFL history. He has also thrown 29 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions and has his team in position for the NFC’s top seed. Often overlooked because of when he was drafted, it is undeniable how great of a season he has been having through week 14. In addition, he is a proven winner, having only lost 3 games in his career.
2. Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas)
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is also firm in the MVP rankings. Even with his case for the award taking a hit after losing to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, he still has his team standing at 10-4 with a host of dominating wins under his belt, including an impressive victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. While playing at home this season, Prescott has looked unstoppable. He has yet to lead an offense that scores less than 30 points at AT&T Stadium this year. A large part of his success has been his touchdown to interception ratio, as he has tossed 28 touchdowns which is second in the league to just 6 interceptions. His connection with wide receiver Ceedee Lamb has been special, making the former Sooner one of the NFL’s best receivers this season in terms of production. Prescott will be tested this coming week in a big game against the Miami Dolphins.
3. Tyreek Hill (WR, Miami)
The NFL MVP is often considered to be a quarterback award. However, Dolphin’s wideout Tyreek Hill is joining the conversation during his possible record-setting 2023 campaign. Seemingly becoming faster the longer he’s been in the league, “The Cheetah” has been sprinting by defenders as if they’re standing still. He has hauled in 97 receptions for a league-leading 1,542 yards. He is still on track to surpass 2,000 yards, which would break the all-time record for a single season. This year, almost every defense has failed to shut him down. Hill has 12 receiving touchdowns this season and at least 5 games with over 150 receiving yards, including a 200-yard explosion early in the year. He and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have never been out of sync, as it is nearly impossible to overthrow the speedy receiver. Even with a pass thrown to the wrong side during a recent win in Washington, Hill adjusted on the fly, turned, and caught the ball with ease for a 60-yard score.
4. Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore)
Jackson is leading a complete Ravens team that stands at 11-3 through 14 games. This season, he has developed into a much better pocket passer than he was in years past while still being a threat to break away on a scramble. While his stats are not world-breaking, the 2019 MVP brings tremendous value to the Ravens. The past couple years when Jackson has missed time due to injury, NFL audiences have seen what the Ravens become without him, and it’s not pretty. He is the glue that holds together a dominant squad that has no other star offensive players apart from himself. Having the former Louisville product in the lineup always keeps defenses on their toes, and it allows the Baltimore offense to be much more dynamic. Baltimore’s run-first approach can be credited for Jackson’s improved passing ability as well as his smart decision making.
5. Christian McCaffrey (RB, San Francisco)
A dark-horse MVP candidate is 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Since his arrival to the Bay area after last season’s trade with the Carolina Panthers, the former Stanford Cardinal has been a large factor in San Francisco’s transformation into a Super Bowl contender. Earlier in the season, McCaffrey set an NFL record with 17 straight games scoring a touchdown. He possesses the rare ability to take the ball to the endzone every time he touches it. This season alone, he has 13 rushing touchdowns and 7 receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility in the offense. McCaffrey is the featured player on arguably the NFL’s best team, and every week he showcases his amazing skill on the field. As previously stated, the MVP is historically a quarterback award. However, there is no denying the impact McCaffrey has had on this 49ers team with Super Bowl aspirations.
