In a surprising twist to the usual quarterback-centric narrative surrounding the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has thrown his support behind a non-quarterback candidate for the 2023 MVP. As the regular season nears its conclusion, with teams gearing up for their final three games before the playoffs, Brady’s endorsement comes as a refreshing change of pace in a league often dominated by the narrative of the quarterback’s importance.
Brady, who himself is a three-time recipient of the prestigious MVP award, has pointed to the San Francisco 49ers’ roster, singling out a player he believes is more than capable of clinching football’s highest individual honor. Despite the betting odds favoring Niners’ quarterback Brock Purdy, Brady has made it clear that he disagrees with this assessment, suggesting that one of Purdy’s teammates is more deserving of the accolade.
Tom Brady says 49ers Christian McCaffrey is his pick for NFL MVP pic.twitter.com/fUrEGH2Bor
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) December 21, 2023
The player in question is none other than the 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey, who has been having an outstanding season. McCaffrey leads the league with 1,292 rushing yards, which is 324 more than any other player, and has scored 13 touchdowns. His prowess on the field isn’t limited to rushing; he’s also made a significant impact as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, with 57 receptions for 509 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Brady’s advocacy for McCaffrey is not without merit. The running back’s performance this year has been nothing short of exceptional, and he has played a pivotal role in leading his team to the top of the NFC standings. If McCaffrey were to win the MVP, he would be the first running back to do so since Adrian Peterson in 2012, breaking a decade-long trend of quarterbacks winning the award.
Tom Brady believes Christian McCaffrey should win MVP 🏆
His odds currently sit at +1200 👀 pic.twitter.com/EX6vmXosvE
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) December 19, 2023
The former quarterback recalled his first glimpse of McCaffrey’s talent during a Rose Bowl game, where McCaffrey’s speed and dynamism left a lasting impression. Brady’s recent comments on his podcast ‘Let’s Go!’ further highlight his belief in McCaffrey’s abilities and his conviction that the running back deserves recognition for his contributions to the game.
As the 49ers prepare to face another 11-3 team, the Baltimore Ravens, on Christmas Day at Levi’s Stadium, all eyes will be on McCaffrey to see if he can continue his impressive form. With the support of a legend like Brady, McCaffrey’s case for MVP is only strengthened, and it serves as a reminder that football is a team sport where every position has the potential to make a game-changing impact.
This endorsement from Brady could signal a shift in how we view the value of players in the NFL. It’s a testament to the idea that while quarterbacks may often be the face of a franchise, the success of a team is the result of the collective effort of all its players, regardless of their position on the field.
As the season progresses and the MVP race heats up, it will be interesting to see if the voters take Brady’s perspective into account. Will they break away from tradition and crown a running back as the most valuable player? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Christian McCaffrey has proven himself to be a formidable contender for the title, and his performance this season has reinvigorated the conversation around the value of the running back position in today’s NFL.
