NFL Executives Say MVP Race Is Between Rivers, Mahomes and Brees

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Dec 20, 2018

According to NFL executives, the MVP race is between Philip Rivers, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees.

Dec 13, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) after a game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers won 29-28. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This year's NFL MVP race is more wide open compared to past years, where the winner was decided well before the regular season ended.

Last year, everybody knew that Tom Brady would win it for the third time in his career, especially when frontrunner Carson Wentz tore his ACL late in the season. Matt Ryan was also an easy choice in 2016. Cam Newton (2015), and Aaron Rodgers (2014), didn't even have to break sweats before they were formally announced as the MVP winner.

But in 2018? There are at least seven candidates that are extremely deserving of the award. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, NFL executives appear to have narrowed the MVP race down to a trio of quarterbacks: Philip Rivers, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees.

Pelissero surveyed 22 executives and general managers to see who they would give the MVP award to. The 39-year-old Brees - whose Saints own the NFL's best record at 12-2 - won the most votes with 10.

"Only one I'm sure on is MVP = Brees," an NFC GM told Pelissero.

Brees became the NFL's all-time passing yards leader in Week 5. He has complete 74.9 percent of his passes, is closing in on another 4,000-yard season, and has 31 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

Mahomes received the second-most votes with six. An NFC personnel director explained why the Chiefs' quarterback gets the nod over Brees.

"He's really made that team," the director said. "They were explosive (in the past), but now, no play's ever dead with him. His ability to create, move around. Alex (Smith) was the point guard, but I feel like this guy's a point guard with 3-point shooting ability."

Mahomes has 4,543 passing yards and leads the NFL with 45 touchdown passes. The Chiefs sit at 11-3 and need just two wins to clinch the top seed in the AFC.

Rivers received three votes, while Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley garnered one. Rivers is having perhaps the finest season of his career, with 3,951 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.

What This Means

The MVP race will likely come down to which team has the best record at the end of the season. Mahomes has the best stats, but the Saints are the NFL's best team right now. If they finish 14-2, it's hard to see somebody stealing away the first MVP award of Brees' career.

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