Aaron Rodgers walks into the 2022 NFL season as the two-time defending MVP.
However, it seems another quarterback is in talks of contending for the MVP over Rodgers.
This quarterback is the Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins.
Winning the MVP title won’t be easy, as the current reigning champ seems hungry for one more MVP title.
With Rodgers wanting his third consecutive MVP, is Cousins a legit threat to win the title over him?
Cousins Is Good, But Not MVP Material
If Cousins wants to become the MVP in 2022, he needs the best parts from all his seasons in Minnesota.
Taking those parts, and putting them together into one season makes him a sure-fire MVP.
However, he’s not good enough to put together a run like this in one season.
But this isn’t stopping the hype over him contending for the MVP title.
2022 MVP pick.
I’d like to take this chance to apologize, to ABSOLUTELY NOBODY pic.twitter.com/HFA16AghR8
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) September 7, 2022
Kyle Brandt believes he’s got the right coach and right weapons to take the MVP title.
Even Michael Irvin is sold on the Cousins hype.
2022 MVP Picks are in‼️ pic.twitter.com/bexpT2gKPI
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) September 7, 2022
While they are believing Cousins can put everything together, they are wrong.
A deeper dive into the Vikings roster can reveal how Cousins isn’t the next MVP.
Cousins Doesn’t Have The Best Receiver Core To Become MVP
One thing Brandt got right is how MVP QBs need the right receivers.
However, Cousins doesn’t have those right receivers in Minnesota.
While he has Adam Thielen, he’s been an injury-prone receiver.
Would you call Adam Thielen injury-prone too bc he and Samuel have both missed 11 games since 2019?
— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) April 21, 2022
But Justin Jefferson is the guy who’s stepped up and stepped in while Thielen missed games.
Given his last two seasons in the NFL, it’s easy to see why he gives Cousins an edge in the MVP talks.
In two seasons, he’s averaged 15.4 yards per reception while averaging over 1,500 yards per season.
However, some of the added production comes from Thielen missing games.
While Cousins could make an MVP run with both receivers healthy in 2022, it’s not likely.
History shows, even with two great receivers, Cousins couldn’t win the MVP title.
When He Had All The Right Tools In 2019, He Wasn’t An MVP Candidate
When the Vikings made their playoff run in 2019, Cousins had two top receivers in Stefon Diggs and Thielen.
However, despite having these players, Cousins’ numbers from his 2018 season were down.
While they posted a better record in 2019, the passing yards, touchdowns, and even completion percentage were down for Cousins.
"Cousins finished the season with 3,603 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Both of those numbers are down from a season ago, but Cousins did average a career-high 8.7 yards per attempt and 11.7 yards per completion, an improvement of 1.6 from last season"
— Tim Boyer (@timb5274) March 10, 2020
But the bright side was his yards per passing attempt in 2019.
However, he’s not producing MVP-like numbers, even with a duo of top receivers.
You need to go back to 2016 to find him posting MVP-like passing numbers.
During that year, he had 4,917 passing yards, a career high for him.
With Rodgers posting high touchdown numbers, along with passing yards, Cousins can’t overtake him.
Another issue is his interceptions.
He’s very inconsistent each season with protecting the ball.
Fans might see him throw as few as six picks in the season, or up to 13.
Without Cousins never putting together great numbers in one season, it’s doubtful he can contend for the 2022 MVP title.
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