Can Tyreek Hill Break a 12-Year Non-QB MVP Drought?

Who will be the MVP this year? As the season inches toward its end, this question is sparking a great debate in the league. The quarterback is commonly believed to be the most responsible and deserving MVP player in the NFL. However, what if the wide receiver of the Miami Dolphins, Tyreek Hill, secures this award this time?

On March 23, 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins. Since then, his performance has been exceptional, and he recently revealed three game-changing factors contributing to it. First, he understands the scheme; second, he understands the quarterback; and third, he understands the offense. With the support of coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hill has become an electrifying player in the league, breaking his own receiver yard record. So, when Shannon Sharpe was asked what he thinks about Tyreek Hill’s MVP candidacy, he immediately said, “Yes.”

On the road to break a 12-year record!

In an episode of NFL on ESPN a month ago, Shannon Sharpe praised Tyreek Hill for transforming the Phins’ offensive game. The 2011 Hall of Fame inductee highlighted that before Hill arrived at the Phins, the franchise “was 27th in total offense, 22nd and 25th.” The Phins finished sixth last year, and now they are among the top teams this season. Further praising Hill, Sharpe pointed out three significant facts about the wide receiver.

The 55-year-old host said, “He’s one of the few guys in the history of the game that can take a 5-yard route and turn it into an 80 spectacular. He is a threat legitimately to hit his head on the goalpost every time he touches the football. He is the most dangerous man regardless of position.” Due to these reasons, Hill could become the next MVP of the league. And if it happens, he will be the 19th non-QB MVP winner in the league and the 10th non-QB since 1990 to win an MVP in the NFL.

Read more: Tyreek Hill On Track To Deliver On His Promise Of Making NFL History With A 2000-Yard Season

Running back Adrian Peterson won the MVP award in 2012, and it took a monster season to get it done as he finished with 2,097 yards, just nine yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson’s record in 2012. So, if Tyreek Hill becomes the next MVP, he will be filling in the 12-year drought of the non-QB MVP winner in the history of the NFL.

Tyreek Hill’s record this season!

Tyreek Hill confidently declared in July this year that he would surpass 2,000 receiving yards this season. This statement looked ambitious then, as no NFL player had achieved this milestone. However, after an impressive game last week, Hill has accumulated 1,324 receiving yards in 11 games this season, putting him on track to surpass 2,000 yards in a 17-game season.

The current record is 1,964 yards, set by Calvin Johnson in 2012. That means if Hill gains 76 yards more in the upcoming game, he will join a select group of players, including Johnson, Lance Alworth, Charley Hennigan, and Elroy Hirsch, who reached 1,400 yards within the first 12 games of the season.

While it’s uncommon for wide receivers to be considered for the NFL MVP, Hill’s outstanding performance puts him in the debate, even though quarterbacks typically dominate the award.

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