ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry wrote up a piece about the NFL’s MVP race, and guess who came out as a favorite for the prize from the Los Angeles Rams? RB Todd Gurley II? LT Andrew Whitworth? Nope. Our favorite system QB, Jared Goff.
TST has been banging the drum loudly for Jared Goff as MVP, and it’s good to hear it from ESPN:
Though Goff’s stiffest competition in the MVP race could come from teammate Todd Gurley, who leads the league in rushing yards and has a league-high 14 touchdowns, the MVP has gone to a quarterback in each of the past five seasons.
It’s also gone to a quarterback in 10 of the past 11 seasons. And Goff, 24, the top overall pick in 2016, could be next.
Goff has the numbers to make a great case even with the highlight reel known as Patrick Mahomes grabbing up loads of hype in Kansas City. Once the numbers were ran, his stats are on pace with those of the past five quarterbacks to win MVP: Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Papa John’s best friend, Peyton Manning.
What this article really conveys is the potential that Goff is showing to the league. Yes, he looks great compared to former MVPs, but how is he doing against current MVP favorites? He’s not at the top of every statistical category, but he’s in the mix in nearly all of them. The Rams’ undefeated record seems to give Goff an advantage over Mahomes in one respect. And since Gurley is also having a great season, that impressive record could very well cloud things in the mind of voters, so who knows what will happen.
I would argue that this article really puts the conventional wisdom that Mahomes is the clear favorite in the shadows. If ESPN wanted to make a similar article that was pro Mahomes for MVP, it was be equally if not more compelling.
Of course, this is all hype for this Sunday’s game against former MVP Aaron Rodgers. If Goff continues to impress on the big stage, his reputation as a top quarterback will only grow larger.