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NFL: Ranking every MVP winner in league history based on pro career

By Hans Themistode

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /
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Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Ranking every MVP winner in NFL history: 31. Ken Stabler

Stats:

  • 27,938 passing yards
  • 194 touchdowns
  • 222 interceptions

Daryle Lamonica was never considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league. But he was a decent stopgap for the Oakland Raiders in the late 1960s and early 70s. Ultimately, the Raiders were hoping that Ken Stabler, whom the team drafted with a second-round pick, could sit back and watch as he learned the game.

After missing the playoffs during most of his years as the backup, Stabler immediately pushed the Raiders over the postseason hump. His first full season as the starter in 1973, resulted in a Pro Bowl selection while his second saw him net the league MVP award after throwing for 2,469 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, a completion percentage of 57.4%, and leading the Raiders to 11 wins against only two losses. The end result of those statistics was an MVP award.

The case can easily be made that Stabler should have a second MVP award for his 1976 season as his numbers were up across the board. He threw for 2,737 yards, 27 touchdowns, completed 66.7% of his passes, a league-best, and led the Raiders to 11 wins against only one defeat and a Super Bowl win.

As his career continued, Stabler still managed to put up impressive numbers. In fact, in his next three seasons, Stabler ranked in the top ten in passing yards each year. Yet, with everything falling apart around, it was ostensible that his numbers didn’t have the same impact.

Regardless of that, Stabler was still amongst the league’s best signal-callers for most of his career.

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