Going into the 2022 NFL season, which players sit as the most likely to win the coveted MVP award? Let’s rank these players going into the new season.
The NFL MVP award is perhaps the most desired and coveted award in pro sports, outside of the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
The MVP of the league is the very best, someone whose importance to their team cannot be overstated.
As the NFL has turned into an offensive-heavy, passing first year, the MVPs are usually quarterbacks.
Since 2006, there have been two non-quarterbacks to win the MVP award, and they were both running backs.
It is a bit hard for a non-quarterback to win, especially in the modern-day NFL.
The quarterback is the hardest and most important position in professional sports. Those who can do it at the highest level are rewarded with money and fame.
Going into 2022, I think the favorites to win the MVP award should mostly all be quarterbacks, but there is still a chance, albeit a little chance, that a non-quarterback can win the MVP award.
I’m turning my attention to the AFC for the most part for the 2022 season. It’s loaded from top to bottom with elite teams with elite, veteran players, and solid up-and-coming teams with up-and-coming players.
Sure, the last two years have seen an NFC player in Aaron Rodgers win the award, but with how dominant the AFC is, and the amount of elite young players the conference has, I expect the MVP to come from the AFC this season.
So, which players are most likely to win the MVP award this season?
Most likely players to win MVP in 2022
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is going to win multiple MVPs during his career. The third-year player has more passing yards and passing touchdowns than any player in their first two seasons. He’s legitimately on pace to be one of the most prolific passers in the history of the game, even though he’s only played two seasons.
The Chargers went 9-8 last year and barely missed the playoffs. It was their defense that was the big issue for them, so they went out and fixed it, trading for Khalil Mack, and making signings like JC Jackson, Kyle Van Noy, and Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Now, the Chargers feature a loaded roster and an offensive line that should be a little better than last year, as they added Zion Johnson in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
If the Chargers can win more than 10 games this season, Justin Herbert will get MVP attention, especially in the AFC West.
They have the firepower to compete with any team in the NFL and should make the postseason this year.
Herbert will also enter year two of the same offensive scheme, so that should help his comfortability in the offense.
Most likely players to win NFL MVP in 2022
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
I think the argument could have been made that Joe Burrow should have won the MVP award last year.
The Bengals had an absurd turnaround from being the absolute worst team in the NFL in 2019 to a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2021 and the foreseeable future.
Joe Burrow threw for over 30 touchdown passes last season and had a passer rating of over 100. He managed to do all of this working behind perhaps the worst offensive line in the entire NFL.
He took way too many sacks, and the offensive line was a big reason why he tore his ACL in 2021.
In free agency, the Bengals made solid investments along the offensive line, signing Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La’el Collins, who are probably starting at center, right guard, and right tackle, respectively.
Now the Bengals appear to have four quality pieces along the line, which would include Jonah Williams as well.
Burrow is going to be kept more upright and should be an even more efficient passer in 2022.
With the Bengals returning an improved offense and their defensive core, look for them to be just as good as they were in 2021, perhaps even better.
Joe Burrow is now positioned to win an MVP award. I do think Justin Herbert is a better quarterback, but Burrow’s seen more success in the NFL, so I think he’d get a slight nod ahead of Herbert for 2022 at least.
Most likely players to win NFL MVP in 2022
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
This has to be the Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bill’s year, right? Right??
The last two seasons, the Bills have looked like one of the absolute best teams in the NFL, only to be heartbroken in the playoffs.
In 2020, the Chiefs beat them in the AFC Championship Game, and in 2021, the Chiefs beat them in the AFC Divisional round.
Now, in 2022, the Bills are taking the field with the best roster of the Josh Allen era and are viewed as the clear favorites in the loaded AFC.
Allen was nearly the MVP in 2020, passing for 37 touchdowns and rushing for eight more.
His QB rating of over 107 was also highly impressive.
He returned to earth a bit in 2021, but still threw for 36 touchdowns and rushed for six more.
What makes Josh Allen special is his rocket arm, ability to move, ability to throw on the run, and what he can do with his legs as a runner.
He’s got 31 rushing touchdowns and 2,235 rushing yards through four seasons, which is solid RB2 production, let alone for a quarterback.
He’s got an improved offensive line, new weapons in Jamison Crowder and OJ Howard, and support from a defense that added Kaiir Elam, and Von Miller, among a few other very solid players.
I’m not sure the Bills have a single weakness on their roster, and their offseason moves put them over the Chiefs on paper.
The Bills should earn one of the top seeds in the AFC quite easily and should be hosting playoff games.