Awarded annually to the player that best exemplifies regular season excellence, the race for the 2022 NFL MVP will be a scorching one. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is the reigning MVP and is coming off back-to-back honors. However, given the overall strength of the quarterback position in the modern NFL, he narrowly missed the cut to be discussed on this top four countdown. In fact this list features only one former MVP (Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes) and three potential first-time honorees if things break the right way for them in 2022.
For this article SBS will go over what each contender brings to the table along with their chances to bring home the highest individual player honor in professional football.
| Favorites to Win The 2022 NFL MVP |  |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen | +500 |
| Justin Herbert | +550 |
| Patrick Mahomes | +900 |
| Joe Burrow | +1100 |
Coming off another fantastic dual-threat season, Allen has the Bills in position to win their first Super Bowl ever. Last year the Wyoming product threw for 4,407 yards along with accounting for 763 yards on the ground. With 42 combined scores he was able to pilot Buffalo to a 11-6 record and an AFC East title. While Allen was certainly superb when it came to accruing yards and scores, he was unable to get past Mahomes and Kansas City in the playoffs. Following an instant classic of a game in the AFC Divisional Round (which Buffalo narrowly lost in overtime), the 26-year old certainly will be hungry to get over the hump this season.
The only player on this list that has never been to the NFL Playoffs, Herbert should check that off the list this season along with potentially much more. Standing at a stout 6-foot-6, Herbert is entering his third year in the league and has already achieved Pro Bowl and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2021 he set Chargers franchise records for most passing yards in a season (5,014) along with most passing touchdowns ever by a Chargers quarterback (38). What’s remarkable about Herbert’s progress is that he has had two head coaches in his first two seasons and now has even more help on the offensive line in 2022. This could be the key in unlocking the next step in his superstar journey.
Still only 26 years old, Mahomes is the most accomplished player on this countdown and for good reason. The 2018 NFL MVP, Mahomes also won the Super Bowl following the 2019-20 NFL Playoffs and will be looking for his second title this season. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, the Texas Tech product is coming off another stellar year where he threw for 37 scores along with accounting for over 5,000 total yards. While he will most likely be geared up for another amazing year, he will be without his top wide receiver, Tyreek Hill who departed to Miami this offseason. However, he still will be able to rely on the services of trusty Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce.
The last spotlight on our list, Burrow almost led his upstart Bengals to Super Bowl glory last season. Already Cincinnati’s franchise leader for passer rating and completion percentage, Burrow had an amazing 2021 campaign and should be ready for more this year. Following a rather underwhelming rookie season due to injury, Burrow exploded in 2021 with 4,611 passing yards and 34 passing scores. After notching a 10-6 record over 16 games as the Bengals starter, he was able to pilot Cincy to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. While Burrow and his squad narrowly fell to the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20, it was perhaps a foreshadowing of many great things to come from the LSU product.
Prediction: A stacked competition, there certainly is no shortage of elite talent at the quarterback. With that in mind, a new face will emerge in 2022 with Herbert taking home the award behind a revamped Bolts offensive line.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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