Winning the NFL MVP award usually goes to a star who dominates all season. Still, a few winners shocked fans and experts alike. Some came from nowhere. Others peaked at the perfect time. These MVP seasons stood out because nobody saw them coming. Here are the 10 most surprising league MVP winners in NFL history. (via CBS Sports).
10. QB Rich Gannon, Raiders, 2002
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon (12) throws the ball against the New York Jets at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Gannon was already a solid quarterback before 2002. He had made three straight Pro Bowls. Yet his MVP season raised eyebrows. That year, he led the NFL in pass attempts, completions, and passing yards. Strong support from Jerry Rice and Tim Brown helped him shine. Oakland rode his arm to an AFC title. The jump in production made his MVP season unexpected.
9. QB Boomer Esiason, Bengals, 1988
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. Credit: Bob Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
A rough 1987 season nearly derailed Esiason’s career. Cincinnati finished 4 and 11, and tension with the team followed the players’ strike. Everything changed in 1988. Esiason ran a fast offense that led the league in scoring. Playoff wins over Seattle and Buffalo followed. Only Joe Montana’s 49ers stopped them in the Super Bowl. The sudden turnaround surprised many.
8. QB Bert Jones, Colts, 1976
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bert Jones (17) in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Early struggles marked Jones’ career. He won only two starts in his first two seasons. Improvement came in 1975, when Baltimore reached the playoffs. Few predicted an MVP run in 1976. That season, Jones led the NFL in passing and guided the Colts to an 11 and 3 record. His career never reached those heights again.
7. QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts on the field after the coin toss prior to the Chiefs’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Mahomes had never started a full season before 2018. Expectations were high, but not this high. A six-touchdown game in Pittsburgh announced his arrival. He ended the season with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdown passes. Only Peyton Manning had done that before. Kansas City had found its new star overnight.
6. QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens, 2019
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jackson showed promise as a rookie. Still, few expected a historic season in year two. He broke Michael Vick’s record for quarterback rushing yards with 1,206. Passing numbers improved as well. Jackson threw 36 touchdown passes despite sitting out the final game. Defenses had no answer for his speed and arm.
5. QB Brian Sipe, Browns, 1980
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe (17) in action against the New York Jets at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
Before 1980, Sipe had never been to a Pro Bowl. Cleveland’s late game wins earned them the name “Cardiac Kids.” Sipe led the charge during an 11 and 5 season. His year ended with heartbreak in the AFC Championship. An interception in the end zone cost the Browns a Super Bowl trip. Even so, Sipe joined Dan Fouts as the first QBs to pass for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns.
4. DT Alan Page, Vikings, 1971
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page (88) on the sideline during the 1969 season. Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive players rarely win MVP. Page changed that in 1971. He was already a top lineman, but no defender had won the award before him. Page anchored the Purple People Eaters defense. Two safeties highlighted his season. A year earlier, he led the league in fumble recoveries. His impact went beyond stats and changed MVP history.
3. QB Earl Morrall, Colts, 1968
Miami Dolphins quarterback (15) Earl Morrall looks to throw during the 1972 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. Miami defeated Pittsburgh 21-17. Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Morrall spent most of his career as a backup. He once made a Pro Bowl with Pittsburgh but lost his job after a trade. Years later, he replaced Johnny Unitas when Unitas got hurt. Baltimore went on a title run with Morrall at quarterback. The Colts lost Super Bowl III but won Super Bowl V with Morrall again stepping in. Few backups ever reached that level.
2. K Mark Moseley, Washington, 1982
Washington Redskins kicker Mark Moseley (3) in action with quarterback Joe Theismann (7) holding against the St. Louis Cardinals at RFK Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cardinals 30-28. Credit: Malcolm Emmons- Imagn Images
No kicker was expected to win MVP. Moseley did it in a strike shortened season. He made 20 of 21 field goals and delivered game winners against the Eagles and Giants. Washington secured the NFC’s top seed. Perfect kicks continued in the playoffs. His performance helped bring the franchise its first Super Bowl title.
1. QB Kurt Warner, Rams, 1999
Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams. Credit: H. Darr Beiser via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Warner’s rise remains unmatched. He had thrown only 11 career passes before 1999. A preseason injury to Trent Green opened the door. Warner ran with the chance. Three touchdown games came early and often. He finished with 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns. St. Louis won the Super Bowl on his final pass. From grocery store clerk to MVP, nothing tops that surprise.
Conclusion
MVP seasons usually belong to the game’s biggest names. These winners proved timing and opportunity matter just as much. Each player delivered when few believed they could. Their stories still remind fans that football greatness can come from anywhere.