Ex-Texans DE J.J. Watt asserts MVP in the NFL ‘will and always should be a quarterback’

J.J. Watt argued most valuable and the best are not always the same in the league.

Ex-Texans DE J.J. Watt asserts MVP in the NFL ‘will and always should be a quarterback’

J.J. Watt (Via ConchoValleyHomepage)

In the history of the NFL, counting from 1957, there have only been 18 non-quarterbacks who have won the glorious MVP award, while 42 quarterbacks have won. Even in that ratio, there have been only two defensive players named the MVP. That sure says a lot, and looks like the former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt has understood that as well.

As Watts joined CBS in the discussion on whether he should have won the MVP award back in 2014, instead of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Since 2012, there hasn’t been a non-quarterback who won this title.

YouTube video

Watt said:

FS Video
I have a very clear stance on this. Most valuable player in the NFL will and should always be a quarterback! Because there's not any more valuable player on the field than quarterback.

Back in 2014, the Houston Texans’ star defensive end had a phenomenal season as the force on defense. Though he played better than any other NFL player, it was Green Bay Packers QB Rodgers who claimed the MVP title. Nine years have passed since then, and it seems like the Texans’ former defensive end has accepted the truth — that a non-quarterback wouldn’t get as preference as the quarterbacks.

Watts knows how crucial a quarterback is for a team, as it holds the command for the offense, though he argued a quarterback cannot always be the best player. He added: 

But I would say, most valuable and the best are not always the same.

NFL QB bias in MVP awards and high-paying contracts

Besides the star defensive end Watt, there have also been other non-quarterbacks who gave good outings but couldn’t win the MVP award. In 2021, there was Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp who couldn’t win the title, as there hasn’t been a single wide receiver in NFL history who won the MVP title.

Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt
Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt (Via Bucs Wire)

In 2017, again the Rams had a worthy MVP candidate in the form of running back Todd Gurley, but only got 8 votes, while Tom Brady got 40 and won the title. Last season, in 2022, both Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill were in the MVP conversation but neither of them won. The NFL will always give a quarterback preference in MVP, despite historic outliers like Watt. That’s how it’s going to be.

Coming to quarterback contracts, the top 15 highest contracts, all belong to quarterbacks. There was one non-QB, Nick Bosa who signed the biggest contract in NFL history, but still below Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones and other QBs.

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