National Football League Most Valuable Player Award

The **National Football League Most Valuable Player Award** is an award by different entities, most notably the Associated Press, to the player who is thought to be the most valuable player in the league.

### The Joe F. Carr Trophy

The NFL awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy (named for the league president, 1921-39) to the league's ABC from 1938 to 1946.
|Season|Player|Team|Position|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1938|Mel Hein|New York Giants|Center|
|1939|Parker Hall|Cleveland Rams|Halfback|
|1940|Ace Parker|Brooklyn Dodgers|Halfback|
|1941|Don Hutson|Green Bay Packers|End|
|1942|Don Hutson (2)|Green Bay Packers|End|
|1943|Sid Luckman|Chicago Bears|Quarterback|
|1944|Frank Sinkwich|Detroit Lions|Halfback|
|1945|Bob Waterfield|Cleveland Rams|Quarterback|
|1946|Bill Dudley|Pittsburgh Steelers|Halfback|

### As awarded by United Press International

United Press International gave an NFL MVP Award from 1948 through 1969, excepting 1949-50, and 1952. Beginning in 1970 UPI awarded separate awards for the NFC and AFC. In 1975 UPI added a Defensive Player of the Year Award for both the NFC and AFC.
|Season|Player|Team|Position|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1948|Pat Harder|Chicago Cardinals|Fullback|
|1949|<small>No Selection</small>|||
|1950|<small>No Selection</small>|||
|1951|Otto Graham|Cleveland Browns|Quarterback|
|1952|<small>No Selection</small>|||
|1953|Otto Graham (2)|Cleveland Browns|Quarterback|
|1954|Joe Perry|San Francisco 49ers|Fullback|
|1955|Otto Graham (3)|Cleveland Browns|Quarterback|
|1956|Frank Gifford|New York Giants|Halfback|
|1957|Y. A. Tittle|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1958|Jim Brown|Cleveland Browns|Fullback|
|1959|Johnny Unitas|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1960|Norm Van Brocklin|Philadelphia Eagles|Quarterback|
|1961|Paul Hornung|Green Bay Packers|Halfback|
|1962|Y. A. Tittle|New York Giants|Quarterback|
|1963|Jim Brown (2)|Cleveland Browns|Fullback|
|1964|Johnny Unitas (2)|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1965|Jim Brown (3)|Cleveland Browns|Fullback|
|1966|Bart Starr|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1967|Johnny Unitas (3)|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1968|Earl Morrall|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1969|Roman Gabriel|Los Angeles Rams|Quarterback|

### As awarded by the Associated Press

|Season|Player|Team|Position|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1957|Jim Brown|Cleveland Browns|Running back|
|1958|Jim Brown (2)|Cleveland Browns|Running back|
|1959|Johnny Unitas|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1960|Norm Van Brocklin|Philadelphia Eagles|Quarterback|
|1961|Paul Hornung|Green Bay Packers|Running back|
|1962|Jim Taylor|Green Bay Packers|Running back|
|1963|Y. A. Tittle|New York Giants|Quarterback|
|1964|Johnny Unitas (2)|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1965|Jim Brown (3)|Cleveland Browns|Running back|
|1966|Bart Starr|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1967|Johnny Unitas (3)|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1968|Earl Morrall|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1969|Roman Gabriel|Los Angeles Rams|Quarterback|
|1970|John Brodie|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1971|Alan Page|Minnesota Vikings|Defensive tackle|
|1972|Larry Brown|Washington Redskins|Running back|
|1973|O.J. Simpson|Buffalo Bills|Running back|
|1974|Ken Stabler|Oakland Raiders|Quarterback|
|1975|Fran Tarkenton|Minnesota Vikings|Quarterback|
|1976|Bert Jones|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1977|Walter Payton|Chicago Bears|Running back|
|1978|Terry Bradshaw|Pittsburgh Steelers|Quarterback|
|1979|Earl Campbell|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1980|Brian Sipe|Cleveland Browns|Quarterback|
|1981|Ken Anderson|Cincinnati Bengals|Quarterback|
|1982|Mark Moseley|Washington Redskins|Placekicker|
|1983|Joe Theismann|Washington Redskins|Quarterback|
|1984|Dan Marino|Miami Dolphins|Quarterback|
|1985|Marcus Allen|Los Angeles Raiders|Running back|
|1986|Lawrence Taylor|New York Giants|Linebacker|
|1987|John Elway|Denver Broncos|Quarterback|
|1988|Boomer Esiason|Cincinnati Bengals|Quarterback|
|1989|Joe Montana|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1990|Joe Montana (2)|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1991|Thurman Thomas|Buffalo Bills|Running back|
|1992|Steve Young|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1993|Emmitt Smith|Dallas Cowboys|Running back|
|1994|Steve Young (2)|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1995|Brett Favre|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1996|Brett Favre (2)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1997|Brett Favre (3) Barry Sanders || Green Bay Packers Detroit Lions || Quarterback Running back|||
|1998|Terrell Davis|Denver Broncos|Running back|
|1999|Kurt Warner|St. Louis Rams|Quarterback|
|2000|Marshall Faulk|St. Louis Rams|Running back|
|2001|Kurt Warner (2)|St. Louis Rams|Quarterback|
|2002|Rich Gannon|Oakland Raiders|Quarterback|
|2003|Peyton Manning Steve McNair|| Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans || Quarterback Quarterback|||
|2004|Peyton Manning (2)|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2005|Shaun Alexander|Seattle Seahawks|Running back|
|2006|LaDainian Tomlinson|San Diego Chargers|Running back|
|2007|Tom Brady|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2008|Peyton Manning (3)|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2009|Peyton Manning (4)|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2010|Tom Brady (2)|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2011|Aaron Rodgers|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2012|Adrian Peterson|Minnesota Vikings|Running back|
|2013|Peyton Manning (5)|Denver Broncos|Quarterback|
|2014|Aaron Rodgers (2)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2015|Cam Newton|Carolina Panthers|Quarterback|
|2016|Matt Ryan|Atlanta Falcons|Quarterback|
|2017|Tom Brady (3)|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2018|Patrick Mahomes|Kansas City Chiefs|Quarterback|
|2019|Lamar Jackson|Baltimore Ravens|Quarterback|
|2020|Aaron Rodgers (3)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2021|Aaron Rodgers (4)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2022|Patrick Mahomes (2)|Kansas City Chiefs|Quarterback|
|2023|Lamar Jackson (2)|Baltimore Ravens|Quarterback|

### As awarded by the Pro Football Writers of America

|Season|Player|Team|Position|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1975|Fran Tarkenton|Minnesota Vikings|Quarterback|
|1976|Bert Jones|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1977|Walter Payton|Chicago Bears|Running back|
|1978|Earl Campbell|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1979|Earl Campbell (2)|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1980|Brian Sipe|Cleveland Browns|Quarterback|
|1981|Ken Anderson|Cincinnati Bengals|Quarterback|
|1982|Dan Fouts|San Diego Chargers|Quarterback|
|1983|Joe Theismann|Washington Redskins|Quarterback|
|1984|Dan Marino|Miami Dolphins|Quarterback|
|1985|Marcus Allen|Los Angeles Raiders|Running back|
|1986|Lawrence Taylor|New York Giants|Linebacker|
|1987|Jerry Rice|San Francisco 49ers|Wide receiver|
|1988|Boomer Esiason|Cincinnati Bengals|Quarterback|
|1989|Joe Montana|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1990|Randall Cunningham|Philadelphia Eagles|Quarterback|
|1991|Thurman Thomas|Buffalo Bills|Running back|
|1992|Steve Young|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1993|Emmitt Smith|Dallas Cowboys|Running back|
|1994|Steve Young (2)|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1995|Brett Favre|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1996|Brett Favre (2)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1997|Barry Sanders|Detroit Lions|Running Back|
|1998|Terrell Davis|Denver Broncos|Running back|
|1999|Kurt Warner|St. Louis Rams|Quarterback|
|2000|Marshall Faulk|St. Louis Rams|Running back|
|2001|Marshall Faulk (2)|St. Louis Rams|Running Back|
|2002|Rich Gannon|Oakland Raiders|Quarterback|
|2003|Jamal Lewis|Baltimore Ravens|Running Back|
|2004|Peyton Manning|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2005|Shaun Alexander|Seattle Seahawks|Running back|
|2006|LaDainian Tomlinson|San Diego Chargers|Running back|
|2007|Tom Brady|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2008|Peyton Manning (2)|Denver Broncos|Quarterback|
|2009|Peyton Manning (3)|Denver Broncos|Quarterback|
|2010|Tom Brady (2)|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2011|Aaron Rodgers|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2012|Adrian Peterson|Minnesota Vikings|Running back|
|2013|Peyton Manning (4)|Denver Broncos|Quarterback|
|2014|Aaron Rodgers (2)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2015|Cam Newton|Carolina Panthers|Quarterback|
|2016|Matt Ryan|Atlanta Falcons|Quarterback|
|2017|Tom Brady (3)|New England Patriots|Quarterback|
|2018|Patrick Mahomes|Kansas City Chiefs|Quarterback|
|2019|Lamar Jackson|Baltimore Ravens|Quarterback|
|2020|Aaron Rodgers (3)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2021|Aaron Rodgers (4)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|2022|Patrick Mahomes (2)|Kansas City Chiefs|Quarterback|
|2023|Lamar Jackson (2)|Baltimore Ravens|Quarterback|

### As awarded by Newspaper Enterprise Association

This award ran from 1955 through 1996 and was a poll of NFL players. The award winner is given with the Jim Thorpe Trophy (different from the collegiate football's Jim Thorpe Award). Beginning in 1997 the Jim Thorpe Trophy was given by the Jim Thorpe Association, with the winner determined by a "vote of NFLPA representatives".
|Season|Player|Team|Position|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1955|Harlon Hill|Chicago Bears|End|
|1956|Frank Gifford|New York Giants|Running back|
|1957|John Unitas|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1958|Jim Brown|Cleveland Browns|Fullback|
|1959|Charlie Conerly|New York Giants|Quarterback|
|1960|Norm Van Brocklin|Philadelphia Eagles|Quarterback|
|1961|Y. A. Tittle|New York Giants|Quarterback|
|1962|Jim Taylor|Green Bay Packers|Running back|
|1963|Y. A. Tittle (2) Jim Brown (2)|| New York Giants Cleveland Browns || Quarterback Running Back|||
|1964|Lenny Moore|Baltimore Colts|Halfback|
|1965|Jim Brown (3)|Cleveland Browns|Running back|
|1966|Bart Starr|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1967|Johnny Unitas (2)|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1968|Earl Morrall|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1969|Roman Gabriel|Los Angeles Rams|Quarterback|
|1970|John Brodie|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1971|Bob Griese|Miami Dolphins|Quarterback|
|1972|Larry Brown|Washington Redskins|Running back|
|1973|O. J. Simpson|Buffalo Bills|Running back|
|1974|Ken Stabler|Oakland Raiders|Quarterback|
|1975|Fran Tarkenton|Minnesota Vikings|Quarterback|
|1976|Bert Jones|Baltimore Colts|Quarterback|
|1977|Walter Payton|Chicago Bears|Running back|
|1978|Earl Campbell|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1979|Earl Campbell (2)|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1980|Earl Campbell (3)|Houston Oilers|Running back|
|1981|Ken Anderson|Cincinnati Bengals|Quarterback|
|1982|Dan Fouts|San Diego Chargers|Quarterback|
|1983|Joe Theismann|Washington Redskins|Quarterback|
|1984|Dan Marino|Miami Dolphins|Quarterback|
|1985|Walter Payton (2)|Chicago Bears|Running back|
|1986|Phil Simms|New York Giants|Quarterback|
|1987|Jerry Rice|San Francisco 49ers|Wide Receiver|
|1988|Roger Craig|San Francisco 49ers|Running back|
|1989|Joe Montana|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1990|Warren Moon|Houston Oilers|Quarterback|
|1991|Thurman Thomas|Buffalo Bills|Running back|
|1992|Emmitt Smith|Dallas Cowboys|Running back|
|1993|Emmitt Smith (2)|Dallas Cowboys|Running back|
|1994|Steve Young|San Francisco 49ers|Quarterback|
|1995|Brett Favre|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1996|Brett Favre (2)|Green Bay Packers|Quarterback|
|1997|Barry Sanders|Detroit Lions|Running back|
|1998|Randall Cunningham|Minnesota Vikings|Quarterback|
|1999|Kurt Warner|St. Louis Rams|Quarterback|
|2000|Marshall Faulk|St. Louis Rams|Running back|
|2001|Kurt Warner (2)|St. Louis Rams|Quarterback|
|2002|Rich Gannon|Oakland Raiders|Quarterback|
|2003|Peyton Manning|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2004|Peyton Manning (2)|Indianapolis Colts|Quarterback|
|2005|Shaun Alexander|Seattle Seahawks|Running back|
|2006|LaDanian Tomlinson|San Diego Chargers|Running back|
|2007|Tom Brady|New England Patriots|Quarterback|

## Other websites

- NFL Most Valuable Player/Player of the Year