NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 50
Next
Rich Gannon
Rich Gannon (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Ranking every MVP winner in NFL history: 44. Rich Gannon

Stats:

  • 28,743 passing yards
  • 180 touchdowns
  • 104 interceptions

Everything came together perfectly for Rich Gannon.

After spending several years as a mediocre quarterback, Gannon finally exhibited a bit of success and showed promise. In his first three seasons, he recorded only seven starts and failed to throw a single touchdown. He then went on to start 58 games over the next eight seasons.

Gannon was nothing more than a decent player during that stretch, winning 31 games against 27 losses. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a lightbulb flickered on and Gannon suddenly got it. In four of his next five seasons, Gannon was selected to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro.

His best year came in 2002 as he threw for 4,689 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while completing 67.6% of his passes. His surprisingly great year netted him the MVP award and pushed the then Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl. Things ended in horrific fashion as the Raiders would go on to lose thanks to a Super Bowl record, five interceptions by Gannon.

A neck injury coupled with a shoulder injury effectively ended Gannon’s career only two years later.

Home/NFL