5 early MVP candidates for 2022 NFL season ft. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is the defending NFL MVP after winning the award two seasons in a row, but he will face stiff competition for the trophy this time, based on early-season form.

Winning three successive MVP awards would be an almost unprecedented achievement in the modern era of the NFL. Not since Brett Favre won three in a row, between 1995 and 1997, has there been such dominance of the award.

Aaron Rodgers will be acutely aware of this. He is motivated to prove the teams who didn’t draft him wrong. However, he isn’t going to have an easy ride after the Packers traded away his best receiving option.

With the season getting more intense, it's a good time to look at the players who are most likely to end up as MVP for this season. Here are five top contenders for the coveted title.

#1 – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

Rodgers knows exactly what is needed for an MVP season

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been as prolific at quarterback in 2022 as he was in the previous two seasons. Yet!

He has thrown for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns, so is already behind Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. However, he has had to adjust to a new-look offense and is lacking weapons.

Aaron Rodgers is the most naturally gifted QB in the NFL. He has the purest throwing motion and is the most accurate. To think he isn’t going to improve would be foolish.

They also have to play the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders - two of the worst teams in the NFL. This will undoubtedly bolster Aaron Rodgers’ stats and his confidence.

The Packers will then build a rhythm like they have in previous years and Rodgers will lead the post-season charge.

I’ve been grading the Packers for 6 years. This is the lowest 5 game stretch I’ve ever graded Aaron Rodgers at. Hasn’t looked anything like the back-to-back MVP to start the season.

#2 – Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns)

Nick Chubb has been a steam train in the running game in 2022

For a running back to win the MVP award over a quarterback, they have to be absolutely outstanding.

Whether Nick Chubb’s numbers will be consistent enough to win the award remains to be seen, but his early-season pace is phenomenal.

In five games thus far, Chubb has rushed for 593 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns. At this rate, the running back is set to hit 1,779 yards after 15 games. He would then, injury permitting, need just 221 yards in the final two regular-season games to hit the magic 2,000-yard milestone.

Obviously, it is unrealistic to expect Chubb to maintain this level of performance. However, the start he has made to the campaign shows precisely why he is in the MVP conversation after five weeks.

If he can even improve this season and reach 2,000 yards, there is no reason why he can’t be considered an MVP winner.