The NFL MVP award is one of the most prestigious honors in professional sports and recognizes some of the greatest players to ever play the game of football.
But, while every MVP season is impressive, not all are created equal. Here’s a ranking of every NFL MVP season since 2000, from worst to best:
24. Rich Gannon (2002)
Rich Gannon led the Raiders to the Super Bowl with a league-best 4,689 passing yards. However, his 26 touchdowns pale in comparison to more recent MVPs, and his postseason struggles further hurt his ranking
23. Peyton Manning (2008)
While Peyton Manning’s 2008 season helped the Indianapolis Colts to a 12-4 record, his stats were slightly underwhelming compared to his other MVP campaigns. Manning’s leadership played a significant role, but this season lacks the statistical dominance of other MVP years.
22. Matt Ryan (2016)
Matt Ryan’s MVP season was solid, with 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. However, it’s overshadowed by the Falcons’ Super Bowl collapse, which mars the legacy of this season despite Ryan’s exceptional efficiency.
21. Cam Newton (2015)
Cam Newton’s 2015 MVP campaign is polarizing. He threw for 3,837 yards, rushed for 636 yards, and combined for 45 touchdowns. Yet, his pedestrian completion percentage (59.8%) and the Panthers’ Super Bowl loss weigh this season down.
20. Shaun Alexander (2005)
Shaun Alexander’s 1,880 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns were dominant, but the Seahawks running back lacked versatility as a receiver, and his impact doesn’t measure up to other dual-threat MVPs.
19. Aaron Rodgers (2021)
Aaron Rodgers delivered a solid performance with 37 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions, leading the Packers to another 13-4 season. However, the Packers didn’t make the Super Bowl.
18. Adrian Peterson (2012)
Peterson’s 2,097 rushing yards nearly broke Eric Dickerson’s single-season record. However, his lack of contribution in the passing game and the Vikings’ 10-6 record prevent this season from ranking higher.
17. Lamar Jackson (2019)
Lamar Jackson’s electrifying dual-threat ability revolutionized the position, with 36 passing touchdowns and over 1,200 rushing yards. Despite its flair, his MVP campaign is docked for a disappointing playoff performance.
16. Aaron Rodgers (2011)
Aaron Rodgers posted an absurd 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, leading the Packers to a 15-1 record. However, the team’s early playoff exit tempers the shine of this remarkable season.
15. Patrick Mahomes (2018)
Patrick Mahomes dazzled in his first full season as a starter, throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns. While his MVP season signaled the arrival of a generational talent, it’s slightly diminished by the Chiefs’ AFC Championship loss.
14. Tom Brady (2007)
Tom Brady’s record-setting 50-touchdown campaign for the undefeated Patriots was historic. Yet, the season’s ultimate memory is the shocking Super Bowl loss to the Giants, which clouds the legacy of this MVP year.
13. Peyton Manning (2004)
Peyton Manning threw an NFL-record 49 touchdown passes, a mark that stood for three years. His precision and leadership were on full display, but the Colts’ failure to reach the Super Bowl keeps this season in the middle of the pack.
12. Peyton Manning & Steve McNair (2003)
Steve McNair shared the MVP with Peyton Manning and showcased tremendous toughness, throwing for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns. Manning’s season, on the other hand, was pretty legendary and he carried the Colts at various periods throughout the year.
11. Kurt Warner (2001)
Kurt Warner’s MVP campaign with the Rams saw him throw for 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns. Though he fell short in the Super Bowl, Warner’s impact on “The Greatest Show on Turf” remains iconic.
10. Peyton Manning (2009)
Peyton Manning’s fourth MVP season was defined by his unmatched football IQ and leadership, leading the Colts to a 14-2 record. However, his lack of jaw-dropping stats keeps this season out of the top tier.
9. Aaron Rodgers (2020)
Aaron Rodgers posted 48 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while leading the Packers to a 13-3 record. His efficiency and dominance make this one of the best MVP seasons in recent memory.
8. Tom Brady (2010)
Tom Brady’s 36 touchdowns to 4 interceptions and a 14-2 record highlighted his mastery of the game. His MVP campaign further cemented his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
7. Marshall Faulk (2000)
Marshall Faulk’s dual-threat ability defined his MVP season, with 2,189 scrimmage yards and 26 total touchdowns. His impact on the game as a runner and receiver earns him a top-10 spot.
6. LaDainian Tomlinson (2006)
LaDanian Tomlinson’s 31 total touchdowns and 2,323 scrimmage yards were breathtaking. His season remains one of the best for a running back in NFL history.
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5. Aaron Rodgers (2014)
Aaron Rodgers combined efficiency and explosiveness, throwing for 4,381 yards and 38 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions. This MVP campaign was quintessential Rodgers.
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4. Lamar Jackson (2023)
Jackson’s MVP season in 2023 was nothing short of historic. With 4,200 passing yards, 1,300 rushing yards, and 48 total touchdowns, he demonstrated his unique dual-threat abilities. Leading the Ravens to a 14-3 record and a deep playoff run, Jackson’s electrifying play made this one of the most memorable MVP campaigns in NFL history.
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3. Tom Brady (2017)
At 40 years old, Tom Brady threw for over 4,500 yards and led the Patriots to the Super Bowl. His longevity and consistency solidify this as one of the all-time great MVP seasons.
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2. Patrick Mahomes (2022)
Patrick Mahomes threw for over 5,200 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2022 and led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory. In fact, Mahomes is the only MVP winner in the 2000s also to win a Super Bowl in the same year!
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1. Peyton Manning (2013)
Peyton Manning’s record-breaking 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns set the standard for quarterback excellence. Though the Broncos lost in the Super Bowl, this remains one of the greatest statistical seasons ever.
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