The NFL has seen an array of quarterbacks who have changed the game of football with their remarkable performances and records. While the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious honors in the league, not every legendary quarterback has had the opportunity to claim this trophy.
This article delves into the careers of 13 stellar quarterbacks whose impressive achievements and contributions to their teams earned them acclaim, yet somehow, the MVP award remained elusive.
13. Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is a highly accomplished NFL quarterback with a Super Bowl win but no MVP trophy. He has thrown for 46,135 yards and 350 touchdowns, with a career passer rating of 99.8. Despite his impressive stats, Wilson has not received an MVP award.
12. Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford, despite being one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, has never won an MVP trophy. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 2021 and holds numerous records, including the fastest to reach 3,000 career completions.
11. Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen, a five-time Pro Bowl quarterback, never won an MVP award despite leading the NFL in passing three times. He had a career passer rating of 82.6, one of the highest in the “Dead Ball Era.” Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
10. Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach, known as “Captain Comeback,” led the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Despite his impressive career, he never received an NFL MVP award. Staubach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
9. Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman, a legendary quarterback, never won an NFL MVP award despite his impressive career with the Dallas Cowboys. He led the team to three Super Bowl victories and was named Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Aikman is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and renowned broadcaster.
8. Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger, nicknamed “Big Ben,” is a former NFL quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite his impressive career, including two Super Bowl wins and numerous records, he never received an MVP award. Roethlisberger ranks 5th in career passing yards and 8th in touchdowns.
7. Eli Manning
Eli Manning, despite never winning an MVP award, had a storied career with the New York Giants. He won two Super Bowl MVPs and two championships, throwing for 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns over 16 seasons. Manning was selected to four Pro Bowls and won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
6. Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts, a Hall of Fame quarterback, played 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers. He threw for 43,040 yards and 254 touchdowns, earning six Pro Bowl selections and an Offensive Player of the Year award. Despite his impressive career, he never won an NFL MVP trophy.
5. Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly, a legendary quarterback, played 11 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, leading them to four consecutive Super Bowls without a win. He threw for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, earning five Pro Bowl selections. Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
4. Warren Moon
Warren Moon, a Hall of Fame quarterback, played 17 NFL seasons with teams like the Oilers and Vikings. He threw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns, earning nine Pro Bowl selections. Despite his impressive career, Moon never won an MVP award.
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3. Tony Romo
Tony Romo, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, never won an MVP award despite impressive career stats, including 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdowns. He led the NFL in passer rating in 2014 and was a key figure for the Dallas Cowboys.
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2. Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is a notable NFL quarterback who never won an MVP award despite a remarkable career. He played 244 games, achieving 63,440 passing yards and 421 touchdowns. Rivers led the Chargers and Colts with consistent performance, but an MVP title eluded him.
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1. Drew Brees
Drew Brees is a legendary NFL quarterback with numerous records, including most career passing yards (77,416) and touchdowns (547). Despite his impressive career, he never won a regular-season MVP award, though he was Super Bowl MVP in 2009.