Why the Seahawks Russell Wilson will be the NFL MVP in 2021
By Andy Excell
A vintage year from a veteran QB
Having seen all these one-and-done and young QBs come along and thwart his chances of MVP recognition, combined with the Seahawks failing to win divisional titles, Russell Wilson pretty much nails it in 2020.
The Seahawks win their division with a 12-4 record, enter the playoffs as the 3 seed in the NFC and combines that with his best statistical year to date: 384 completions, 4,212 yards and 40 TDs.
The only downside to Wilson’s efforts being that he and the Seahawks had a poor end to the regular season, planting doubts in the voter’s minds. Combine that with Aaron Rodgers taking a relatively unheralded Packers squad to a 13-3 record, securing the 1 seed in the NFC and recorded the following stats line: 372 completions, 4,299 passing yards and 48 TDs.
Whilst there is not a huge difference between Wilson and Rodgers statistically, again I think the pre season perception came into this. The Seahawks did what they were expected to do, the Packers were certainly not seen as potential 13 game winners pre season.
Just what does Russell Wilson need to do?
Looking back over the last eight winners of the NFL MVP award, what common themes can we identify that appeal to the voters?
- They are all quarterbacks.
- All were on division-winning teams.
- All these teams were seeded 1 or 2 in their conference for the playoffs.
- The lowest number of wins by any team providing an MVP was 11.
- Six of these eight winners (Manning, Newton, Ryan, Mahomes, Jackson and Rodgers in 2020) were on teams that performed well above the perceived expectancy for that year.