The Green Bay Packers are 8-2. They are back to being one of the top teams in the NFL led by Aaron Rodgers. After the Packers' 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 10, the former NFL MVP gave his opinion on who the league should begin to take seriously.
“Well, I know Christian (McCaffrey) is a very talented player, and he’s been mentioned in the MVP race, so maybe it’s time to start talking about Aaron Jones,” Rodgers said after Sunday’s win.
Jones leads the league with 14 total touchdowns after scoring three times against the Panthers. He has rushed for 589 yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 35 balls for 354 yards and three touchdowns. It is hard to argue that he is not the MVP of the Packers right now.
Jones has been a huge part of their surge and he will continue to be a key piece come the postseason. But has he done enough to jump into the league's MVP talks?
Is Aaron Jones an MVP candidate for the Packers?
Rodgers has been a fan of Jones since he entered the league. He praised the running back on multiple occasions early in his career. Matt LaFleur has finally found the perfect scheme that has Jones extremely involved in the offense. It is no surprise to hear Rodgers give Jones a vote of confidence, but that is all it is. Right now, Jones is not in the MVP talks.
This is partially because of the state of the league and partially because of Jones' production. Of the last 12 MVP winners in the NFL, 11 have been quarterbacks. Adrian Peterson was the lone running back and all he did was come within yards of the single-season rushing record. It is difficult for a running back to win the award nowadays, especially with quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson.
Jones leads the league with 14 total touchdowns, but his yardage is a concern. Jones has just 589 yards on the ground and is averaging 4.4 yards per rush. Compare that to 991 yards and 5.0 yards per carry by Dalvin Cook or 989 yards and 5.3 yards per carry by Christian McCaffrey. Cook and McCaffrey also have more receptions and receiving yards than Jones.
The Packers have found ways to get Jones involved and he is a great talent. It is just premature to throw his name into the MVP conversation when there are far superior backs right now in the league. Down the line, Jones could very well turn into an MVP candidate but it is not his time.
Can an RB win MVP?
This is a passing league. Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns last season on his way to the MVP award. This season, Wilson is the favorite at the halfway mark with 23 touchdowns and just two interceptions. It is hard for a running back to have such a great impact that they jump one of the elite quarterbacks.
It is hard, but not impossible. McCaffrey is coming close and Cook is looking like he will be in the conversation this year as well. Not to mention Saquon Barkley if the New York Giants ever put a decent team around him.
It will not happen this season, but an MVP running back is on the horizon in the league.
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