The NFL season is just a month away and preseason football will be on television this week. Who will stand out this season as the NFL MVP when the season ends in January? It is always a tough prospect to handicap the best leader in the NFL before the season begins but that never stopped us before. The following are the ten players in order of consideration, that could be holding up the hardware at season's end.
Tom Brady Quarterback New England Patriots
The New England Patriots' Tom Brady was still adjusting in the pocket last season and still threw for over 4,300 yards. This year it looks like a deal to sign Brady long term is in the offing and Brady will play with more confidence. On the flip side, if a contract is not signed, Brady may play with more vigor than ever before. Brady knows the window is closing and this is his best chance to get back to the Super Bowl and win the NFL MVP.
Aaron Rodgers Quarterback Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers came out of his shell last season and this could be the year he leads the Green Bay Packers deep into the playoffs. Making the playoffs was step one for Rodgers, now this season Rodgers must lead Green Bay into the NFL Conference Championship to gain the respect he deserves and win the NFL MVP.
Peyton Manning Quarterback Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts' defending NFL MVP, Peyton Manning has to slow down at some time and this may be the season he loses a step. Reggie Wayne could also be in decline but don't write either player off yet. Manning is capable of overcoming any obstacle on the field and now he will have another difficult test to capture yet another NFL MVP.
Brett Favre Quarterback Minnesota Vikings
Once Brett Favre stops with the hemming and hawing about retirement the season will begin and everyone will forget all about how Favre held another team hostage for an entire preseason. Favre has one good season left in him and this could be the year he leads the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bowl and wins the NFL MVP.
Drew Brees Quarterback New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees will have a tough season attempting to lead the New Orleans Saints back to the Super Bowl. The New Orleans offense remains intact from their Super Bowl run of last year and if the numbers are close and the Saints win 10 or more games he may win the NFL MVP.
Phillip Rivers Quarterback San Diego Chargers
To say Phillip Rivers does not have much to work with in the wide receiver department is a monumental under statement. Rivers will be without his main target, Vincent Jackson, possibly for 10 games. This will leave Rivers with a rag tag bunch of wide receivers and Antonio Gates his reliable tight end. If Rivers can make the NFL playoffs in one piece he deserves the NFL MVP.
Matt Schaub Quarterback Houston Texans
Matt Schaub has been building himself up to this season for several years now. If Schaub and the Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson can stay healthy, they will be the best QB to wide receiver combo in the NFL and Schaub will be a shoe in for NFL MVP.
Adrian Peterson Running Back Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson is a one-man offense if there is no quarterback. If Favre does not come back AP will jump up the list with a bullet. Peterson will out perform Chris Johnson and be the first running back since LaDanian Tomlinson to win the NFL MVP if Tavaris Jackson is his QB.
Chris Johnson Running Back Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson laid down the gauntlet in the off season. He told everyone that would listen that he would rush for 2,500 yards. If Johnson fulfills that promise, he will win the NFL MVP hands down.
Donovan McNabb Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb has a Washington Redskins team capable of making a run to the NFL Playoffs and if he can show the leadership necessary to bring this team to the next level he will be deserving of an NFL MVP.
The NFL MVP has been awarded to a quarterback seven of the last ten years and for a running back to win the award they will have to put together an impressive resume and their team must make the playoffs. Chris Johnson was upset he did not receive the award last season but the Tennessee Titans were a team that struggled their was through the first half of the season.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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