For most of its history, the NFL MVP award has been almost exclusively reserved for quarterbacks.
Running backs and players at other positions have to settle for the Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year award, as they never get to get their hands on the ultimate prize.
According to Adam Schefter, that could change this season.
The ESPN insider recently campaigned for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor to be this year’s MVP.
“Jonathan Taylor is on pace for 28 touchdowns this season, which is pretty good. You get 28 touchdowns, you generally should win MVP. He has to be considered an MVP candidate. The issue is the last 12 MVPs have all been quarterbacks. Today, Jonathan Taylor’s the MVP. The guy’s been incredible. He has been speed, power, production, everything you’d want,” Schefter said.
"Jonathan Taylor is on pace for 28 touchdowns this season..
He is the MVP of the NFL season right now"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/ux9N6X34RT pic.twitter.com/rB672xwwj6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 27, 2025
Of course, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones also deserves some consideration, but what Taylor is doing is close to unprecedented.
He’s scoring multiple touchdowns weekly, re-establishing himself as the most productive running back in the game.
Taylor doesn’t get as much publicity as Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, but that doesn’t mean he’s not among that top tier of running backs.
The Colts have the best offense in the league and have lost one game in the first eight weeks.
That should be more than enough for Taylor to be a strong MVP candidate.
Unfortunately, that’s not likely to pay off in the end.
Unless he somehow rushes for 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, chances are that voters will lean toward quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Drake Maye, Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield or Jones before even getting to Taylor on their ballots.
NEXT: Colts Prove Dominance With NFL-Leading Stat This Season
