Christian McCaffrey’s Case for the 2023 NFL MVP Award
2 min read
Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ running back, is making a strong case for the 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Despite quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson being the favorites, McCaffrey’s impressive performance on the field has garnered attention and support from his teammates and even retired NFL stars.
Tom Brady, a three-time NFL MVP and future FOX Sports NFL analyst, recently expressed his support for McCaffrey on his podcast, “Let’s Go!”. Brady stated that McCaffrey is his favorite for the MVP award and that his quarterback, Brock Purdy, also believes that McCaffrey is the most valuable player.
Tight end George Kittle also voiced his opinion, emphasizing that the MVP award should be given to the most valuable player, not just the best quarterback. He believes that McCaffrey deserves the award for his outstanding performance on the field.
Brock Purdy himself has also shown his support for McCaffrey, praising his ability to catch the ball, make defenders miss, and score touchdowns. Purdy even mentioned that McCaffrey’s statistics are impressive, making him a valuable player on the team.
Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd, host of “The Herd,” also believes that McCaffrey has a strong case for the MVP award. He compared McCaffrey to legendary running backs Walter Payton and Barry Sanders, stating that he is one of the best running backs in league history and has had an exceptional season.
Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy and Joy Taylor, hosts of “Speak,” also debated the MVP merits of Purdy and McCaffrey. McCoy argued that McCaffrey should be awarded the MVP due to his versatility in both running and catching the football. Taylor suggested creating a separate award for the best quarterback, freeing up the MVP award for the best player regardless of position.
Running backs have won the Offensive Player of the Year award 26 times, which is six more times than quarterbacks. McCaffrey currently has the shortest odds at -170 to win the award, while Purdy is tied for fourth with Eagles receiver A.J. Brown at +7500.
As the NFL season progresses, the debate over the MVP award will continue, with McCaffrey’s performance on the field being a significant factor in determining the winner. With the support of his teammates, retired NFL stars, and analysts, McCaffrey’s case for the 2023 NFL MVP award is gaining momentum.
