Seattle Seahawks: Can Russell Wilson repeat as MVP candidate in 2018?

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has won the NFC Championship twice and the Super Bowl once. If he keeps playing like he did in 2017, he might add an MVP trophy to his résumé soon.

Russell Wilson carried the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. His offensive line offered him no protection and even his usually unwavering defense faltered over and over. It’s no wonder that so many people make the comparison between Wilson and LeBron James in the NBA. Because of his accomplishments, Wilson was an MVP candidate for most of the season and had one of the best years of his career. After playing at such a high level, can the Seahawks quarterback compete for the league’s most prestigious award again in 2018?

For starters, if things work out the way the Seahawks want them to, Wilson will have a lot less pressure on him in 2018. The team drafted running back Rashaad Penny in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft hoping to resurrect a run game that has been silent since Marshawn Lynch left. If Penny can turn into the runner the Seahawks believe he can be, then Wilson will no longer have to shoulder the burden of the offense and the team alone.

Unfortunately, the offense also suffered some significant losses this offseason. Pro Bowl wide receiver Doug Baldwin is still around, but his backup, Paul Richardson, and star tight end Jimmy Graham both left the team.

The Seahawks did sign Brandon Marshall, but who knows how effective the 34 year old will be after suffering through the worst year of his career. And the Seahawks offensive line will presumably be as inconsistent and thin as ever. Taking all of this into account, even if Penny is great from Day 1, Wilson will still be charged with making most of the team’s plays.

It won’t help that the Seahawks defense has gotten worse. Bobby Wagner, Frank Clark, and K.J. Wright are still around, but Earl Thomas is holding out, and Kam Chancellor is injured. On top of that, Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, and Richard Sherman are gone. With so many absences, the Seahawks will give up more points in 2018 than in previous years. That puts more strain on the offense to keep up with opposing teams’ scores.

Wilson proved he was able of shouldering that burden this season. His incredible ability to scramble and ad lib plays makes him one of the only quarterbacks who can survive in the Seahawks current offense. He just fits in so well with his team. The losses of Graham and Richardson will be noticeable, especially in the redzone, but Wilson is capable to molding an offense around himself. Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, and even maybe Keenan Reynolds, will work to replace the production of their predecessors.

I even expect Wilson’s completion percentage and passing yards will increase from last year to 2018. Those numbers did dip for him in 2017, but his passing touchdowns leapt up to tie his career high and lead the league. It will be hard for him to keep that number up because of his new receiving and tight end cast. His rushing yards should come down too if Penny delivers on his draft position.

With all of that being said, Wilson will definitely be in contention for the league MVP in 2018. He’s to good and does to much for his team not to be. If he somehow manages to get his rebuilding squad to the postseason, it would make his case even harder to ignore. But chances are that won’t happen, and chances are Wilson won’t win the MVP.

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He’s really good, but players like Tom Brady,  Aaron Donald, Aaron Rodgers, and Carson Wentz seem more likely to take home the league’s greatest individual award. And there’s always the chance that the Seahawks just falter in 2018 and their record might drag Wilson out of the MVP race to begin with. Still, Seahawks fans have to be happy to see Wilson hitting the peak of his career. If the team’s rebuild goes well they could be back in the postseason before you know it.