1. Tom Brady 2007 Grade 98
Season Stats:
68.9% comp/ 4806 pass yds/ 50 pass TDs/ 8 ints/ 98 rush yds/ 2 rush TDs
16-0 Record/ Super Bowl Loss
Tom Brady's '07 MVP season is quite possibly the greatest individual season ever and definitely the greatest MVP season since 2000. One Super Bowl win away from a perfect season, Brady led his team with a then record of 50 touchdowns thanks to the new connection to Randy Moss. With 5 games with at least 4 touchdowns and 7 games of 300+ yards, Brady only had one game under an 80 rating but still managed to win like he did all year right up until a close 17-14 loss in Super Bowl XLII.
2. Peyton Manning 2013 Grade 96
Season Stats:
68.3% comp/ 5477 pass yds/ 55 pass TDs/ 10 ints/ -31 rush yds/ 1 rush TD
13-3 Record/ Super Bowl Loss
The Sheriff's best season in the NFL and his record 5th and final MVP season ranks #2 on our list. It's fitting that in his bid to set the all time record for most MVPs, he also set the record for most passing yards and passing touchdowns. Another near-perfect season saved by a blowout loss to the legion of boom, Manning was dominant from Week 1 this year when he threw 462 yards and 7 touchdowns, tying yet another record for passing TDs in a game.
3. Aaron Rodgers 2011 Grade 94.5
Season Stats:
68.3% comp/ 4643 pass yds/ 45 pass TDs/ 6 Ints/ 257 rush yds/ 3 rush TDs
15-1 record/ Divisional Round Loss
The best of 4 MVP seasons we'll see on this list for A-Rod, 2011 was one of the most efficient passing seasons we've ever seen. Never throwing more than 1 interception in a game, Aaron Rodgers led his Packers to a franchise-best 15 wins in the 2011 season. Only hindered by a one-and-done in the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers' best season fittingly puts him in the top-3 of our list along with the other GOATs of his generation.
4. Aaron Rodgers 2020 Grade 94
Season Stats:
70.7% comp/ 4299 pass yds/ 48 pass TDs/ 5 ints/ 149 rush yds/ 3 rush TDs
13-3 record/ Conference Championship Loss
Speaking of Aaron Rodgers, this season was truly A-Rod's most efficient and he did it at age 37. Occurring right after the Packers drafted Jordan Love in the first round, Aaron set off to prove to the world he wasn't done yet. The first of his back-to-back MVP bids has the highest comp % and second-best TD-INT ratio of any season on this list while going 14-4 on the season is truly remarkable, but in true Aaron Rodgers-fashion, came up short in the playoffs.
5. Patrick Mahomes 2022 Grade 93.5
Season Stats:
67.1% comp/ 5250 pass yds/ 41 pass TDs/ 12 ints/ 358 rush yds/ 4 rush TDs
14-3 record/ Super Bowl Win
If Mahomes had thrown a couple less interceptions and 2 or 3 more touchdowns he would top this list. The only man to win MVP honors and the Super Bowl in the same year since the turn of the millennium, the man responsible for the strongest current dynasty in the NFL had the best season of his career this year and firmly cemented his place as the best player in the world right now.
T-6. Cam Newton 2015 Grade 93
Season Stats:
59.8% comp/ 3837 pass yds/ 35 pass TDs/ 10 ints/ 636 rush yds/ 10 rush TDs
15-1 record/ Super Bowl Loss
With Cam's recent fall from graces, it's easy to forget about his 2015 MVP season. This season introduced us to Superman Cam and my pick for the second best dual threat MVP season there's ever been. Not only did Cam light up the league game-after-game but brought his Panthers to their only other Super Bowl besides 2004. If the completion percentage was up and passing yards were over 4000, this would have easily made the Top-5.
T-6. LaDainian Tomlinson 2006 Grade 93
Season Stats:
348 car/ 1815 rush yds/ 5.22 avg/ 28 rush TDs/ 56 rec/ 508 rec yds/ 3 rec TDs
14-2 record/ Divisional Round Loss
My pick for the best season a running back has ever had belongs to LaDainian Tomlinson in his 2006 MVP season. Tying Cam for 6th place on this list, Tomlinson set the still-standing record for most rushing touchdowns with 28 this year. He added 3 more through receiving and over 2300 yards from scrimmage leading his Chargers to a 14-2 record and 1st seed in the AFC.
8. Lamar Jackson 2019 Grade 92
Season Stats:
66.1% comp/ 3127 pass yds/ 36 pass TDs/ 6 ints/ 1206 rush yds/ 7 pass TDs
14-2 record/ Divisional Round Loss
The best dual threat QB season we've ever seen. Lamar Jackson took over the league this season on route to a QB record 1206 rushing yards along with a 36-6 TD-Int ratio all in his second season at age 22. In only the second unanimous MVP selection since 2000, Lamar wasn't able to win in the playoffs which is why he's at 8, but this is the season we were all introduced to the next Michael Vick.
9. Patrick Mahomes 2018 Grade 92
Season Stats:
66% comp/ 5097 pass yds/ 50 pass TDs/ 12 ints/ 272 rush yds/ 2 rush TDs
12-4 record/ Conference Championship Loss
In his rookie year, Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith and only played in the final game of the 2017 season. The next year Mahomes set the league on notice that he was up next with 5000 yards and 50 TDs at age 23. Leading his team to a 16-5 record inn his first year as starter may be more impressive but the best stat we can give is that Mahomes only had TWO games in a 16-game season under a 100 passer rating and SEVEN games above 120.
10. Aaron Rodgers 2021 Grade 91.5
Season Stats:
68.9% comp/ 4115 pass yds/ 37 pass TDs/ 4 ints/ 101 rush yds/ 3 rush TDs
13-4 record/ Divisional Round Loss
The second of his back-to-back MVP seasons fell short in the playoffs but dominated in the regular season. What's truly remarkable about this season was that Rodgers started the year with a terrible Week 1, going 15-28, 133 yards 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Meaning in the final 16-game stretch (a normal season length before the 2020 season, Rodgers had 3982 yards, 37 TDs and 2 interceptions on 70% completion percentage. Ridiculous.
T-11. Aaron Rodgers 2014 Grade 91
Season Stats:
65.6% comp/ 4381 pass yds/ 38 pass TDs/ 5 ints/ 269 rush yds/ 2 pass TDs
12-4 record/ Conference Championship Loss
With his fourth entry in the top eleven on this list and all within a decade, Aaron Rodgers was firmly in his prime at this point. With a stat line like 4381/38/5 being his WORST MVP season, Rodgers had to surpass a legendary defensive season season from J.J. Watt and a ridiculous season from DeMarco Murray on the ground. It took the Legion of Boom in the Conference Championship to give Rodgers his first game under a 80 passer rating.
T-11. Tom Brady 2010 Grade 91
Season Stats: 65.9% comp/ 3900 pass yds/ 36 pass TDs/ 4 ints/ 30 rush yds/ 1 rush TD
14-2 record/ Divisional Round Loss
The first ever unanimous MVP in NFL history was Tom Brady in 2010, Brady didn't throw an interception in the last 11 weeks of the season. Brady was 2 years removed from his Torn ACL season and received his 2nd MVP award in the 3 seasons he'd played. Unfortunately for Brady and the Patriots, they lost to a stacked New York Jets team in the playoffs. This was the closest impersonation to an Aaron Rodgers season Brady has posted right down to the early playoff exit.
13. Peyton Manning 2004 Grade 90
Season Stats:
67.6% comp/ 4557 pass yds/ 49 pass TDs/ 10 ints/ 38 rush yds/ 0 TDs
12-4 record/ Divisional Round Loss
Manning's greatest season for the Colts came in 2004 and it's not particularly close. This season set the passing touchdowns record before '08 Brady while also tying his own record for least interceptions and completion percentage, passer rating and yards/attempt. A very underrated season from the sheriff, his one-and-done in the playoffs hurts him on these rankings but the regular season definitely belonged to Peyton.
14. Matt Ryan 2016 Grade 89
Season Stats:
69.9% comp/ 4944 pass yds/ 38 pass TDs/ 7 ints/ 117 rush yds/ 0 rush TDs
11-5 record/ Super Bowl Loss
Here it is, Christmas to all the Patriots fans out there. The greatest comeback in Super Bowl history hurts Matty Ice's rank on this list but don't forget how truly elite he was for this season. Ryan posted EIGHT games over 120 passer rating this season including the last 4 games of the season. Not only did Ryan dominate the regular season but averaged 338 yards 3 TDs with no interceptions on 71% completions. Again though.... 28-3.
15. Tom Brady 2017 Grade 88
Season Stats:
66.3% comp/ 4577 pass yds/ 32 pass TDs/ 8 ints/ 28 rush yds/ 0 rush TDs
13-3 record/ Super Bowl Loss
Tom's 3rd and final MVP came in his record setting age-40 season. Another record Tom would break would come in the playoffs, where he threw for 505 yards. While some QBs hit their prime in the middle of his career, Tom was hitting his THIRD prime this season and while he came up short in the Super Bowl, he was in the spotlight all year having the best 40+ year old season in NFL history.
16. Shaun Alexander 2005 Grade 87
Season Stats:
370 car/ 1880 rush yds/ 5.08 avg/ 27 rush yds/ 15 rec/ 78 rec yds/ 1 rec TD
13-3 record/ Super Bowl Loss
An iconic season for one of the most forgotten MVP seasons ever, Alexander led the Seahawks to their first ever Super Bowl. Tying the then-record for most rushing TDs in a season, Alexander was one of the truest definitions of a workhorse running back this season and earned himself an 8yr/ $62 Million contract for his efforts. This season should have earned him a Super Bowlm victory, but led to one of the most controversially-refereed games in NFL history that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers win it all.
17. Marshall Faulk 2000 Grade 85
Season Stats:
253 car/ 1359 rush yds/ 5.37 avg/ 18 rush TDs/ 81 rec/ 830 rec yds/ 8 rec TDs
10-6 record/ Wild Card Loss
We talked earlier about Lamar Jackson having the best QB dual-threat season ever in 2015, so now we should talk about the best RB dual threat season with Marshall Faulk's '00 campaign. 2180 yards and 26 TDs gave the Greatest Show on Turf the backbone for their half-decade dynasty and earned his 2nd of 3 OPOY's in a row for his trouble. Lack of team success hurts his ranking but make no mistake, this is one of the greatest individual RB seasons EVER.
18. Adrian Peterson 2012 Grade 84
Season Stats:
348 car/ 2097 rush yds/ 6.03 avg/ 12 rush TDs/ 40 rec/ 217 rec yds/ 1 rec TD
10-6 record/ Wild Card Loss
We are at our 18th spot on this list and we are firmly in the "overrated" category. Adrian Peterson's 2012 MVP season was a spectacle for those of us that watched it live but may be the MOST overrated MVP season ever. Some lists have this season Top-10 and I just can't. Even though he was 8 yards away from setting the rushing record on a 6 yard average, only getting 13 touchdowns with a lack of team success means Peterson's season was solely for racking up stats.
T-19. Peyton Manning 2009 Grade 83
Season Stats:
68.8% comp/ 4500 pass yds/ 33 pass TDs/ 16 ints/ -13 rush yds/ 0 rush TDs
14-2 record/ Super Bowl Loss
Here's the HOT TAKE of this article, 3 of Peyton Manning's 5 MVPs are criminally overrated. Starting with 2009, even though his team success was great this year, Peyton threw an interception per game while adding 2 fumbles. Add on to this his highest INT% of his career and only a 7.8 yards/attempts ratio and Peyton has the opposite effect of most people on this list, only getting the award due to team success rather than individual play. Also this was the year of CJ2K which in hindsight should have taken the award instead.
T-20. Kurt Warner 2001 Grade 83
Season Stats:
68.7% comp/ 4830 pass yds/ 36 pass TDs/ 22 ints/ 60 rush yds/ 0 rush TDs
14-2 record/ Super Bowl Loss
22 interceptions could still win you an MVP award in 2001. Warner's season was immaculate besides his turnovers (32 in total) but Marshall Faulk should have won his 2nd MVP in a row this year as the true catalyst of this team. Warner's grocery bagger-to-MVP story is amazing, but maybe carried his voting farther than it should've.
21. Rich Gannon 2002 Grade 81
Season Stats:
67.6% comp/ 4689 pass yds/ 26 pass TDs/ 10 ints/ 145 rush yds/ 3 rush TDs
11-5 record/ Super Bowl Loss
Another early 2000's MVP campaign ranks bottom-5 on this list in somewhat of a pattern, Quarterbacks are simply better in recent years. Rich Gannon had a good season on paper; pretty good team success, almost 4700 yards and only 10 interceptions. However, only 29 TDs and 13 fumbles throughout the season and a terrible 5-interception Super Bowl performance capped off an abysmal TD-Turnover ratio Gannon was known for his entire Raider career.
22. Steve McNair 2003 Grade 80
Season Stats:
62.5% comp/ 3215 pass yds/ 24 pass TDs/ 7 ints/ 138 rush yds/ 4 rush TDs
12-4 record/ Divisional Round Loss
Honest question: How many of you knew that in 2003, Peyton Manning and Steve McNair we're both named co-MVPs. McNair deserved it more and that's why he's ranked one spot ahead of his competitor but doesn't save him from the fact this was a weak campaign. 28 total touchdowns should never earn you NFL's highest honor but it is nice the late-great McNair was recognized with the award.
23. Peyton Manning 2003 Grade 78
Season Stats:
67% comp/ 4267 pass yds/ 29 pass TDs/ 10 ints/ 26 rush yds/ 0 rush TDs
12-4 record/ Conference Championship Loss
In one of only two MVP seasons since 2000 to rank below an 80, Peyton also posted less than 30 touchdowns on the year. In fact, the third-runner up this year was Tom Brady, who's Patriots went 17-2 with a Super Bowl win, probably deserved more MVP votes than Manning. At least it wasn't the worst MVP right...?
24. Peyton Manning 2008 Grade 77
Season Stats:
66.8% comp/ 4002 pass yds/ 27 pass TDs/ 12 ints/ 21 rush yds/ 1 rush TD
12-4 record/ Wild Card Loss
Peyton Manning is indeed deserving of the wooden spoon on this list, posting not one but both of the worst MVP seasons since 2000. To put his 2008 MVP into perspective, Aaron Rodgers put eerily similar numbers in the 2023 season and had the 18th best passer rating amongst qualified starters. The runner-up this year was Chad Pennington who threw for 19 touchdowns. In a season that wouldn't even make a Pro Bowl in 2023, Peyton Manning won the worst MVP award since 2000.
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