The NFL has not crowned a running back as MVP in more than a decade.
Adrian Peterson’s 2012 season remains the last time a player at the position earned the honor.
Now, Jonathan Taylor‘s dominant campaign has sparked debate over whether he can break the drought.
The Indianapolis Colts star has delivered explosive performances throughout the season, placing himself squarely in the MVP discussion despite its quarterback bias.
Analyst Rob Parker recently addressed Taylor’s candidacy and expressed doubts about its viability.
“Voting for Jonathan Taylor for MVP is, like, back in the day, voting for (Henry) Ross Perot. Don’t waste your votes. You might as well go up to the top of the Penobscot Building in Detroit and throw it off. It’s the same thing. It’s all about ‘Danny Dimes’ (Daniel Jones), ’cause it’s always about the quarterback. That’s where we are,” Parker said. “The quarterback position is so important, I don’t care what your running back is doing. Without a quarterback, guess what? You’re going nowhere.”
?️ @robparkerMLBbro says don't waste your MVP vote on Jonathan Taylor… pic.twitter.com/iXfRWKykFz
— The Odd Couple w/ Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington (@OddCoupleFSR) October 28, 2025
Yet, Taylor’s production supports his case more than most running backs in recent memory.
He leads the NFL with 14 total touchdowns in eight games after scoring at least three in consecutive contests.
That projects to 29 touchdowns across a full season.
Only one player has ever reached 30, and running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored 31 touchdowns in 2006, won MVP that season.
The numbers tell one story, but betting markets tell another.
Among DraftKings’ top six MVP favorites, all of them play quarterback.
So, Taylor’s path to the award faces steep odds despite his historic pace.
His most realistic target may be Offensive Player of the Year, a consolation prize that recognizes excellence while avoiding quarterback supremacy.
Whether that recognition satisfies depends on how the rest of the season unfolds.
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