Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl 49 MVP Candidates

Jim O

Every Super Bowl has a Super Bowl MVP, sometimes two. Last year Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith won the award after amassing 10 tackles and a 69-yard pick six in Seattle’s 43-8 blowout victory.

Smith became just the seventh defensive player to win the award in the 48 Super Bowls that have been played to date. It’s not likely that we’ll see a defensive player win the award in back-to-back years. Although, if it were to happen, the Seattle Seahawks and their list of All-Pro defensive playmakers would be a top candidate to do it.

Super Bowl 49 has it’s fair share of offensive playmakers that could be considered favorites for the award. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is appearing in his sixth Super Bowl and is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in not only the regular season, but also the postseason in NFL history.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is a threat in not only the passing game, but also on the ground. Marshawn Lynch, who’s reportedly been offered a huge contract extension, has gained 1,200 rushing yards in each of the last four seasons and Beast Mode led the NFL in touchdowns this season.

On defense, Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and many others could win the MVP award without surprising many fans. Someone like Bruce Irvin, who could cause Brady problems if the Seahawks choose to blitz often could join Smith as a surprise MVP selection if the Seahawks win.

Let’s take a look at the three most likely candidates to win Super Bowl MVP:

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Safety Kam Chancellor

Aside from DeflateGate and the roles that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick played in the latest Patriots scandal, the biggest story from the Patriots side has been Rob Gronkowski and the role he’ll play against the Seahawks and the NFL’s best defense.

Gronkowski was just named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year after his 82 reception, 1,124 yard and 12 touchdown performance this season. Gronk, arguably the NFL’s best tight end has one of the greatest quarterbacks ever throwing him passes. The 6-foot-6, 265 pounds goliath is one of the hardest players to defend.

If anyone can stop, or at least limit Gronkowski, it’s Seattle’s own 6-foot-3, 235 pound safety in a linebackers body, Kam Chancellor. Not many players posses the speed and coverage ability of a safety, but the body and physicality of a linebacker that Chancellor uses to lay monster hits on receivers.

Next: Our #2 Choice for Super Bowl MVP