It may only be week 4, but two frontrunners for league MVP have already begun to distance themselves from the chasing pack. Although young guns Patrick Mahomes (2018 MVP) and Lamar Jackson (2019 MVP) have established themselves as the NFL’s newest poster boys, the old guys are showing that they’re not finished just yet.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks :
While many things have changed in this new-look season, one constant is the elite level of play we continue to see from Russell Wilson. The University of Wisconsin alum has been one of the league’s most consistent performers since being drafted in 2012. A Super Bowl champion in 2014, Wilson is a 7-time Pro-Bowler and was an All-Pro in 2019. The one award, however, that continues to elude him is league MVP. While Wilson’s numbers have always been solid, he also been a part of great teams. Seattle’s 2014 Championship run was led by their devasting defence, ‘The Legion of Boom’.
Today, the Seahawks do not have the luxury of an all-time great defence and perhaps this is why Wilson’s play is being noticed. He is doing more, with less. Through the first four weeks, he leads the league in Touchdowns, Yards and Quarterback Rating. At 4-0 the Seahawks appear to be a threat once again and Wilson is the reason why.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, QB:
Over the past decade, Rodgers has been considered by many as the best QB in the game. However, Rodgers’ 2019 season was defined by his critics as a ‘down year’, with others saying the 36-year-old was ‘falling off a cliff’. It was clear Rodger’s numbers last year were down from previous ones. Only 26 TD passes. Only. The reality is that the criticism Rodgers receives is due, in large part, to the incredibly high standards he has set in the past. The California native has the highest QB Rating, as well as the best Touchdown-Interception ratio in NFL history.
Whatever his critics said, Rodgers was listening. Through 4 games this season, he has an incredible 13 TDs with 0 INT. The Packers are 4-0 and behind second-year head coach Matt LaFleur appear to be an offensive juggernaut. If Rodgers and LaFleur can remain in sync the Packers may be the team to beat in the NFC.
