The 21 Greatest NFL MVP Winners of All Time

Quarterbacks own most of the trophy's history, yet a linebacker and a handful of 2,000-yard runners crashed the party.

1. 1
   Dan Marino

   Dolphins quarterback who won the 1984 AP MVP with a then-record 48 touchdown passes.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Peyton Manning

   Colts and Broncos quarterback who won the AP MVP a record five times.
   999pts
3. 3
   Kurt Warner

   Rams quarterback who went from grocery-store stocker to MVP in 1999 and 2001.
   930pts
4. 4
   Josh Allen

   Bills quarterback who won the 2024 AP MVP, the first Buffalo quarterback to take the award.
   658pts
5. 5
   Terrell Davis

   Broncos running back who won the 1998 AP MVP with 2,008 rushing yards.
   602pts
6. 6
   Joe Montana

   49ers quarterback who won back-to-back AP MVP awards in 1989 and 1990.
   601pts
7. 7
   Lamar Jackson

   Ravens quarterback who won the AP MVP in 2019, unanimously, and again in 2023.
   538pts
8. 8
   Brett Favre

   Packers quarterback who won three straight AP MVP awards from 1995 to 1997.
   538pts
9. 9
   Barry Sanders

   Lions running back who shared the 1997 AP MVP after a 2,053-yard season.
   538pts
10. 10
    Adrian Peterson

    Vikings running back who won the 2012 AP MVP with 2,097 rushing yards months after knee surgery.
    538pts
11. 11
    Tom Brady

    Seven-time Super Bowl champion who won the AP MVP in 2007, 2010 and 2017.
    538pts
12. 12
    John Elway

    Broncos quarterback who won the 1987 AP MVP.
    384pts
13. 13
    Steve Young

    49ers quarterback who won the AP MVP in 1992 and 1994.
    384pts
14. 14
    LaDainian Tomlinson

    Chargers running back whose 2006 MVP season set a record with 31 total touchdowns.
    384pts
15. 15
    Earl Campbell

    Oilers running back who won the 1979 AP MVP.
    290pts
16. 16
    Cam Newton

    Panthers quarterback who won the 2015 AP MVP.
    290pts
17. 17
    Aaron Rodgers

    Packers quarterback with four AP MVP awards, including back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021.
    290pts
18. 18
    Jim Brown

    Browns fullback who won MVP honors in 1957, 1958 and 1965 before retiring at 29.
    290pts
19. 19
    Johnny Unitas

    Colts quarterback who defined the position in the late 1950s and 1960s, a multiple MVP winner.
    179pts
20. 20
    Patrick Mahomes

    Chiefs quarterback who won the AP MVP in 2018, his first season as a starter, and again in 2022.
    179pts
21. 21
    Emmitt Smith

    Cowboys running back and the NFL's career rushing leader, MVP in 1993.
    179pts

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