No running back has won the NFL MVP award since Adrian Peterson’s historic 2012 season, but Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor is putting together an excellent case to change that.
Taylor has authored a stunning campaign so far as the Colts have surged to an 8-2 start. Even on an offense featuring the likes of Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren, Taylor is the undisputed focal point of the attack and is on pace to finish the season with remarkable numbers. And his candidacy has the backing of an NBA star who knows what it’s like to win the biggest individual prize in his sport.
Can Jonathan Taylor End the Wait For A Running Back MVP?
Kevin Durant, winner of the NBA MVP award in 2014 and a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was asked about a crowded NFL MVP field on Boardroom’s “Phone A Friend” show.
While discussing the case for Baker Mayfield, Durant brought up Taylor.
“I think he’s [Mayfield] up there,” Durant said. “I think [Colts QB] Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor. Any Given Sunday is a real thing.”
For Durant, the prospect of a running back turning back the years by winning MVP, following on from Saquon Barkley’s 2,000-yard season in 2024, is an exciting one.
“I would love that, to bring that feel back right?,” Durant added. “We’re just in such a passing league, to see a running back win MVP, to see Saquon have the success back-to-back years, and get an MVP as a running back that would be sweet.”
Taylor already has 1,139 rushing yards to his name along with 15 rushing touchdowns. Both tallies lead the NFL. He also has 260 receiving yards and a further two scores as a pass-catcher.
He ranks first in the NFL in PFSN’s RB impact metric, with the 2020 second-round pick on pace for 1,936 rushing yards. Yet recent history suggests that it will likely not be enough for him to win the MVP.
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Indeed, Barkley had to be content with Offensive Player of the Year last campaign despite his remarkable exploits for the eventual Super Bowl champions, while the 2023 award arguably should have gone to Christian McCaffrey after he topped 2,000 yards from scrimmage in helping the San Francisco 49ers secure the one seed.
Unfortunately for Taylor, the MVP remains a quarterback award and, with Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye playing at extremely high levels alongside his teammate Jones, the overwhelming likelihood is that he will join McCaffrey and Barkley in having to settle for the consolation prize that typically comes the way of skill position players after MVP-caliber seasons.