If you feel like the NFL MVP has turned into a quarterback-only award, you’re not wrong. We have witnessed only signal-callers take home the honor since 2013. Sure, there were running backs like Jim Brown, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, and O.J. Simpson who won the MVP award back in the day, but hearing an RB’s name thrown into the mix has become relatively rare today.

So, when sports commentator Dan Patrick asked, “Why can’t a running back win MVP?” former Steelers coach Bill Cowher was glad someone had the same concern as him. “Glad you brought that up, and I agree with you,” Cowher stated on the Dan Patrick Show. “I mean, if you go back historically, the last three running backs to win MVPs have been Marshall Faulk [2000], LaDainian Tomlinson [2006], and Shaun Alexander [2005].”

He seems to have forgotten the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, who also won the award in 2012. Regardless, Cowher believes the Indianapolis Colts’ RB, Jonathan Taylor, is playing at the same pace as Faulk, Tomlinson, and Alexander. “Jonathan Taylor is on one of the best football teams right now. Look at what they can do on offense with him. Daniel Jones [QB] is playing at a very high level,” he said before talking about the team’s impressive defense.

Well, as per ESPN Research, Taylor is the fifth player since 2000 with at least three scrimmage touchdowns in four games in a season. With that, he joined the likes of Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander, and LaDainian Tomlinson.

Plus, Cowher is correct in pointing out that the Colts have improved quite a lot after last season. The franchise, which went 8-9, has just one loss so far in 2025.

The Colts look good, and so does Jonathan Taylor. In fact, Cowher isn’t the only one who believes Taylor is an MVP frontrunner. Sports commentator Rich Eisen, Colts head coach Shane Steichen, and Jones, too, believe the RB deserves the MVP honors. All that praise isn’t without reason.

Indianapolis won 38-14 against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but it was the RB who shone the brightest. In the third quarter, he ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run, tightroping the sideline. The 65,816 fans in the Lucas Oil Stadium were all roaring!

He ended the game with 153 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. Plus, his 12.8 yards per carry set a single-game franchise record and also marked the second time he averaged at least ten rushing yards per carry in a game. But if you’re still not convinced, here are more reasons for Jonathan Taylor to win MVP:

• While already proving to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ boogeyman throughout his career, he also made history against the Titans. He became the first player in the league’s history to record three TDs (rushing or receiving) in three consecutive games against the same opponent.
• Through eight weeks of this season, he leads almost every major statistical category among running backs.

That said, Cowher believes there is one more reason Taylor deserves the MVP. What is that aspect?

“Jones complements Taylor. Not the other way around,” says Cowher

The running back position usually complements a quarterback. However, Cowher doesn’t believe that’s the case with the Colts. “You look at this football team, to me, Daniel Jones complements Jonathan Taylor. Not the other way around.”

Even Dan Patrick couldn’t help but agree with that.

Here is how Taylor’s resume reads this season:

• He is the centerpiece of a franchise that has the league’s best record at 7-1.
• Taylor leads the NFL in rushing with 850 yards and is on pace to rush for 1,806 yards in 17 games.
• Additionally, he also leads all skill position players with 14 total touchdowns.

For MVP voters, that’s a good start. And before they get into the nitty-gritty criteria, they need to first conclude that the player stands with previous MVPs at his position. What do you think?