Every non-quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP this century

It’s become customary for quarterbacks to win Super Bowl MVP, as 12 of the last 20 Super Bowl MVPs have indeed been quarterbacks. Who were the non-quarterbacks to take home the coveted Super Bowl MVP trophy?

When in doubt, the quarterback gets the glory and that’s been the case with Super Bowl MVP recipients. Some thought Damien Williams deserved it over Patrick Mahomes in last year’s Chiefs Super Bowl, many assumed Malcolm Butler would get the nod over Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLIX for picking off Russell Wilson at the goal line.

Even though quarterbacks win the award more often than not, there have been eight non-quarterbacks to win Super Bowl MVP since the turn of the century. Let’s take a trip back and see who they were, starting with the earliest.

Ray Lewis – MVP of Super Bowl XXXV

When the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, it was solely because of their defense. In fact, if you look up the worst quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl, Trent Dilfer tops just about every list out there. The Ravens didn’t need a good quarterback in the 2000 season because their defense was so good.

While Ray Lewis‘ stats in that Super Bowl weren’t anything special (five tackles and four passes defended), he was the heart of that defense throughout the entire season. This was a defense that completely shut down Kerry Collins and the Giants to the tune of 112 passing yards while also picking him off four times and sacking him another four times.

Lewis’ stats might not have popped off the page, but he was the reason that defense wreaked havoc all season long, so it was nice to see him rewarded on the big stage.