The 2022 NFL season is now in full swing, and with that we as fans are finally being able to see what players are making the biggest impact on the league this season. And with that in mind there are already some clear frontrunners for the end of season rewards. So here they are, the MVP frontrunners through week 5 of the 2022 NFL season.
1. Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Coming into the 2022 NFL season, Jalen Hurts built up a significant amount of hype for himself. This was due to his strong performances in many games last year, as well as his solid fantasy football point gains. However, even with the amount of hype built up, no one expected him to explode into the MVP frontrunner list this season, but he has done just that. Not only does he have the stats to warrant being in the MVP conversation this year, he also has arguably the most important thing, a winning team. Winning is often overlooked in terms of importance when considering the MVP but when all the QB’s stats are similar, their team’s record starts to become the most important aspect of their MVP resume. And with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles being the only remaining undefeated team in the entire NFL, it is safe to say that he has that covered.
2. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
It seems like every year Josh Allen is right near the front in the MVP conversation and leading the Buffalo Bills to yet another impressive season. That is no different this year, with the Buffalo Bills being the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl and with Josh Allen leading the league in passing yards. Simply put, Josh Allen is due for an MVP, most people believe that he is either the best or second-best quarterback in the NFL and if you couple that with the fact that he has what experts think is the best team in the league, then you usually have a recipe that results in a lot of end of season rewards. In fact, I think the only thing keeping him out of the number 1 spot right now is the fact that the Eagles are undefeated, but if they lose, expect Josh Allen to jump Jalen Hurts as the MVP frontrunner.
3. Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Though he has not had near as much attention as he usually gets, Lamar Jackson has quietly been building a solid MVP resume through week 5 of this season. The main problem that he has had this year is that his team has not really been able to show that they are on of the best teams in the league. This has caused Lamar to lull behind guys like Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen in the MVP race. However, with it still being so early in the season Lamar will have more than enough time to make up some ground and go after his second MVP trophy.
4. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
It may seem as though Patrick Mahomes has been in the MVP conversation since he entered the league, and this is because he basically has been. But this year, unlike any other, he does not have the same offensive firepower that he is used to having. That’s what makes all he has done this year so impressive. The fact that he has been able to compete against high level competition and excel without his best offensive weapon in Tyreke Hill, speaks volumes about the skill that Patrick Mahomes possesses. His ability to extend plays and create miraculous ones has dazzled us NFL fans for years now and to see him do it with the least amount of firepower that he has had in his career, is nothing short of incredible.
5. Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
After a somewhat slow start to this season, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers have really picked up their game as of late. Justin Herbert has been dealing with some injury problems as well this season, which could very likely keep him out of any serious MVP consideration, but when a player is as good as Herbert, it is hard to ignore them. Not to mention Herbert has been able to bounce back without one of his best receivers in Keenan Allen, so I expect that when he comes back, Herbert’s stat lines will start propelling him toward the top of this list.
