The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award is traditionally reserved for the league’s top quarterback every year, as the last non-quarterback player to win this prestigious accolade was the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson more than a decade ago. Things could change this year though, as there is just no obvious “slam dunk” QB that’s just running away with the award like there typically has been in years prior. Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, & Jalen Hurts (the current MVP odds favorites) are all having great seasons for their respective teams, but none of their individual achievements feel truly special in comparison to Tyreek Hill’s accomplishments.
Tyreek Hill has put up 93 catches on 127 targets for 1,481 yards (15.9 yards per reception) and 12 receiving touchdowns in 12 games for the Dolphins this year. Those are video game numbers, the likes of which the NFL hasn’t seen in a while. Hill is on pace to best Calvin Johnson’s single season receiving yards record of 1,964 receiving yards set during Johnson’s historic 2012 season with the Lions, and create his own club as the league’s first ever 2,000 yard receiver by the end of the year.
The Dolphins WR1 is simply uncoverable this year, as his worst statistical game came in Week 4 against the Bills where he mustered only 3 catches for 58 yards. Tyreek then followed that up with 8 catches for 181 yards & a TD against the Giants. He recently thanked the Commanders for “disrespecting” him by not giving safety help over the top of his routes, a decision which left his defenders in man coverage. This decision resulted in Hill posting 157 yards & 2 TDs in a 45-15 Dolphins victory.
Hill’s impact goes beyond the numbers on the gridiron, as the 9-3 Dolphins are on pace to win the AFC East for the first time since 2008 in part because of his efforts. His quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is enjoying the best season of his career in 2023. Tua has nearly set career highs in yards (3,457), yards per attempt (8.6), passing touchdowns (24), and completion percentage (70.1%) with five games left to play.
Add all of these things together, & it’s clear that Tyreek Hill is having a special year. Will his season be special enough for the league’s sportswriters to award him MVP? That remains to be seen, but the possibility simply can’t be overlooked at this point. “Cheetah” is having a season for the ages, and so he’s very deserving of the several postseason accolades he racks up both on an individual level and on a team basis.
The Sports Beacon 