San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Barry Sanders proposes unique solution to NFL MVP debate

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 12/27/23

Christian McCaffrey is having a remarkable season with the San Francisco 49ers, and many people feel he should be the first non-quarterback to be named NFL MVP in more than a decade. Even Barry Sanders is skeptical that McCaffrey can win the award, though the Hall of Fame running back can envision a repeat of what happened with him years ago.

Sanders took to social media on Tuesday to share his thoughts on the MVP race. He said he does not believe the NFL will give the award to a non-quarterback. Though, Sanders wonders if McCaffrey might be able to win a share of the MVP like the Detroit Lions legend did in 1997.

You know this award is going to a QB @ShannonSharpe

I rushed for 2000 yards in 97 and they made me co-MVP with @BrettFavre – I do think there is a shot #Christian will split it with (Insert QB here).@espn @FirstTake

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) December 26, 2023

Sanders and Favre were named co-MVPs in 1997. Sanders rushed for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns that season. Favre had 3,867 yards passing, 35 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with the Green Bay Packers.

Sanders quickly clarified that he was not trying to say he was more deserving of the award than Favre.

To be clear – @BrettFavre deserved that as much as I did – I guess that was the point – how do you choose 1 player most seasons.

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) December 26, 2023

The logic from Sanders is a bit flawed. While it is rare for a non-QB to be named MVP, it is not unheard of. Running backs Terrell Davis, Marshall Faulk, Shaun Alexander, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson have all won MVP awards since Sanders shared his with Favre in 1997.

Of course, the aforementioned running backs were all named MVP in an era that was far less pass-heavy. The way the NFL has changed has made it even more difficult for a non-QB to win MVP, which is why it has not happened since 2012.

McCaffrey enters Week 17 with 1,395 rushing yards, 537 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns. Despite the remarkable production, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a heavy favorite to win MVP.

The final two weeks of the season will likely decide who wins MVP, but we know McCaffrey already has at least one legendary quarterback’s vote.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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