Who Have The Most Mvps In The NFL History

When football fans ask, “Who has the most MVPs in NFL history?” they want a clear answer and a little context. The short version is simple: Peyton Manning holds the record with five Associated Press (AP) NFL Most Valuable Player awards. But if you’re new to the sport, it helps to know what the MVP actually means, how it is decided, and why some names repeat so often. This beginner-friendly guide breaks it all down, tells the stories behind the big numbers, and shows where today’s stars stand in the chase.

The short answer: who has the most MVPs?

Peyton Manning owns the all-time record with five AP NFL MVP awards. He won in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2013. His first MVP in 2003 was a co-MVP shared with Steve McNair, and his 2013 season set single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns at the time.

After Manning, the next closest is Aaron Rodgers with four MVPs (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). A group of legends sits at three: Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Jim Brown, and Johnny Unitas. These names are the backbone of the award’s history and tell the story of how the game changed over time.

What the NFL MVP really means

The AP award and why it matters

Many outlets have given an “MVP” over the decades, but the most trusted one is the AP NFL MVP. The AP began handing out its version in 1957, and it is the award most fans and teams reference. When people ask who has the most MVPs, they are almost always talking about this AP award.

Regular season only, not the playoffs

The MVP covers only the regular season. Postseason games and the Super Bowl do not count. There is a separate Super Bowl MVP for that one game. This is important, because some players have super playoff runs, but those do not affect MVP voting.

How voting works today

For many years, AP voters picked just one name. Beginning with the 2022 season awards, voters rank multiple players on a ballot. Points are assigned to each rank, and the player with the most points wins. This method gives a fuller picture when more than one player has a standout year. It also makes it easier to see how close the race was.

Peyton Manning: the record holder with five MVPs

Peyton Manning’s five MVPs are the gold standard. He earned them with elite play across different seasons, different teammates, and even different teams. Four came with the Indianapolis Colts and one with the Denver Broncos.

2003: co-MVP with Steve McNair

The 2003 season was about precision, leadership, and clutch play. Manning shared the award with Titans quarterback Steve McNair because both had outstanding years that lifted their teams. Manning threw over 4,000 yards, kept mistakes low, and led the Colts to the playoffs. It was his first MVP and a sign of things to come.

2004: a touchdown avalanche

In 2004, Manning threw 49 touchdown passes, a record at the time. He did it with incredible efficiency, often not even needing to throw much in the second half because the Colts jumped ahead early. This season turned a great player into a clear offensive force and made his second MVP a runaway choice.

2008: steady excellence after adversity

Before the 2008 season, Manning dealt with a knee issue. Even so, he guided the Colts to a 12-4 record. His numbers were strong, but more than anything, voters saw how much value he brought to the offense. He kept the team on track, solved problems at the line of scrimmage, and played sharp football week after week.

2009: mastery and wins

In 2009, the Colts went 14-2. Manning read defenses like a chess master. He spread the ball to many receivers and won close games. The season showed how he could drive a team to elite results without always relying on eye-popping single-game stats. It was about control, timing, and consistent production.

2013: the historic Broncos season

With Denver in 2013, Manning produced one of the best passing seasons ever: 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, both NFL records at the time. The Broncos scored at a record pace and finished as the top seed. This MVP cemented his place as the record holder and highlighted his ability to dominate even in a new system late in his career.

Why five is so hard to match

Winning one MVP requires elite skill and a great season. Winning multiple requires staying healthy, consistent, and productive for years. Opponents adjust, teammates change, and injuries happen. Manning remained a top performer across different eras of his own career. That combination of durability, production, and adaptability is very rare.

The chasers: four and three-time MVPs

Aaron Rodgers: four MVPs

Rodgers won in 2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021. His MVP seasons share two themes: efficiency and control. In 2011 he set a passer rating record at the time, pairing huge touchdowns with very few interceptions. In 2014 he led a dynamic offense with creativity and accuracy. In 2020 and 2021, he won back-to-back awards by combining sharp decision-making with steady scoring and low turnovers. He is the closest to Manning’s record and showed that MVP-level play can last late into a career.

Tom Brady: three MVPs

Brady’s MVPs (2007, 2010, 2017) cover very different phases. In 2007 he directed a high-flying Patriots attack that set scoring records and produced 50 touchdown passes. In 2010 he won the award unanimously with an ultra-efficient season that featured very few mistakes. In 2017, after many years and many miles, he put up big numbers again and led the Patriots to another top seed. While Brady is most famous for Super Bowls, his three MVPs show his dominance in the regular season too.

Brett Favre: three MVPs, including a three-peat

Favre’s run from 1995 to 1997 is unique. He won three straight MVPs, with the last one shared as a co-MVP. His style was bold and aggressive, and he piled up touchdowns while pushing the ball down the field. In 1996 he paired MVP play with a Super Bowl win. The back-to-back-to-back MVP stretch stands out as one of the most impressive peaks in league history.

Jim Brown: three MVPs from a different era

Jim Brown won in 1957, 1958, and 1965. He carried the Cleveland Browns offense in a time when the league played fewer games and ran the ball far more than today. Brown’s power, speed, and stamina were unmatched. He led the league in rushing many times and changed how defenses had to play. He is a reminder that MVP greatness is not only about quarterbacks.

Johnny Unitas: three MVPs and the birth of the modern passing game

Unitas won in 1959, 1964, and 1967. His play helped shape the modern quarterback role. He led the Baltimore Colts with quick reads and strong throws, and he brought a new level of passing to the league. In an era before many of today’s pass-friendly rules, Unitas stood out as a groundbreaking star.

Two-time winners shaping the modern game

Patrick Mahomes: 2018 and 2022

Mahomes burst onto the scene in 2018 with 50 touchdown passes and creative, off-platform throws. In 2022, he did it again with a new-look receiving group, proving he did not need one star target to carry the load. He blends arm talent, mobility, and vision. With two MVPs already and many prime years ahead, he is the active player most fans see as a threat to chase Manning’s record someday.

Lamar Jackson: 2019 and 2023

Jackson won unanimously in 2019 with a thrilling dual-threat year that changed defenses’ priorities. He led the league in touchdown passes and also ran for over 1,000 yards. In 2023, he won again by pairing improved pocket play with his usual rushing danger. His presence alone tilts the field, and his second MVP shows he can win in multiple ways.

Joe Montana: 1989 and 1990

Montana’s back-to-back MVPs came at the height of the 49ers dynasty. He was calm, accurate, and deadly in the West Coast offense. He played mistake-free football at a time when defenses were still very physical with receivers. His control of the game made the 49ers the standard for excellence.

Steve Young: 1992 and 1994

Young followed Montana and added his own twist: mobility plus elite efficiency. He could run when needed, but his throwing was the foundation. In 1994 he led an elite attack and then capped it with a Super Bowl MVP. His two MVPs confirmed that the 49ers stayed great even as the roster evolved.

Kurt Warner: 1999 and 2001

Warner’s rise was one of the best stories in sports. He went from stocking shelves to leading the “Greatest Show on Turf.” In 1999, he and the Rams lit up the scoreboard, and in 2001 they were again the league’s most dangerous offense. Warner’s quick release and timing made that scheme go, and his two MVPs capture that peak.

Why quarterbacks dominate MVP

Passing rules and modern offenses

Over the years, the NFL changed rules that made passing easier and safer. Quarterbacks, receivers, and timing routes gained an edge. As a result, offenses lean on the passing game more than the run. When passing drives most of the scoring, quarterbacks often look most valuable.

Visibility and value

Quarterbacks touch the ball on almost every play. They make pre-snap adjustments, read defenses, and choose where the ball goes. When a team wins or loses, the quarterback gets most of the credit or blame. Voters notice that influence.

Non-QB MVPs still happen, but rarely

Running backs like Adrian Peterson (2012), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), Shaun Alexander (2005), Marshall Faulk (2000), and Terrell Davis (1998) show that a huge rushing season can still win. There are even rare exceptions like kicker Mark Moseley in the strike-shortened 1982 season. But in most years, quarterbacks have the inside track.

Co-MVPs and other quirks you should know

What is a co-MVP and how is it counted?

Sometimes the vote ends in a tie. In those seasons, the AP names two winners. Each player is credited with one MVP. That is how Peyton Manning (2003) and Brett Favre (1997) picked up one of their awards. Co-MVP seasons are rare, but they do happen.

Unanimous MVPs are special

Getting every vote is tough. Tom Brady was a unanimous MVP in 2010. Lamar Jackson was unanimous in 2019. Unanimous seasons usually feature great stats, wins, and a clear gap between the winner and the field.

AP vs. other historical MVPs

Before and even after the AP award became the main one, other outlets named their own MVPs. While those honors matter, most conversations use the AP list. When someone says “most MVPs in NFL history,” they almost always mean AP MVPs unless they say otherwise.

Team and era context

Franchises with rich MVP histories

Some teams have multiple MVP winners across different decades. The Green Bay Packers stand out with stars from different eras: Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor in the early 1960s, Bart Starr in the late 1960s, Brett Favre in the 1990s, and Aaron Rodgers in the 2010s and 2020s. The Colts also shine thanks to Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, and Peyton Manning. The 49ers have John Brodie, Joe Montana, and Steve Young. These franchise traditions show how the award often follows strong organizational stability and coaching.

Comparing stats across eras is tricky

Jim Brown’s MVP years came in 12- or 14-game seasons with run-heavy offenses. Modern MVPs play 17 games and throw the ball much more. Totals will look different, but that does not make older stars less dominant. A good rule: compare each player to his own era. Ask how much better he was than his peers at that time. By that measure, players like Brown and Unitas were just as towering in their days as modern passers are now.

Staying healthy is MVP math

MVPs need availability. A small injury that costs three or four games can knock a player out of the race. Durability, smart decision-making, and avoiding hits keep quarterbacks and running backs on the field. That is part of what makes multiple MVPs so rare.

How narratives shape MVP races

Team success matters

Most MVPs come from top-seeded teams. Big stats help, but voters also ask if the player’s value shows up in wins. If two players have similar numbers, the one on the better team often wins the tiebreaker.

Supporting cast and system

A great offensive line, smart coaching, and talented receivers can boost a player’s numbers. Voters do consider context. Sometimes a player with slightly smaller stats wins because he lifted a weaker supporting cast or overcame injuries on the roster. Other times, a player runs away with it because the numbers are too big to ignore.

Midseason swings and big moments

MVP races often turn on a few prime-time games. A star performance in November or December carries more weight, especially in key division matchups. The best candidates finish strong and close out one-score games.

Where today’s stars stand in the chase

Patrick Mahomes has the clearest path

With two MVPs and multiple Super Bowls, Mahomes is already building a case that spans both regular season and postseason. He plays in a creative offense, reads defenses well, and has shown he can adapt when personnel changes. Health and consistency will decide how close he gets to five.

Lamar Jackson is a unique contender

Jackson now has two MVPs. He can win with his arm or his legs, and his team can shape the game to his strengths. If the Ravens keep surrounding him with solid receivers and line play, more MVP runs are possible.

Veterans with history but tougher odds

Aaron Rodgers already has four MVPs and is one behind Manning. Adding a fifth could tie the record, but age and injuries make each season’s run harder. Other older stars can still put together great years, but stacking enough to reach five is a massive challenge.

FAQs: quick answers to common questions

Who has the most MVPs in NFL history?

Peyton Manning has the most with five AP NFL MVP awards.

Is the Super Bowl MVP the same as the NFL MVP?

No. The AP NFL MVP covers the regular season only. The Super Bowl MVP is a separate award for that one game.

Can non-quarterbacks win MVP?

Yes, but it is rare today. Recent examples include Adrian Peterson (2012), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), and Shaun Alexander (2005). Earlier eras had more running back winners, including legends like Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson. There is even a kicker winner, Mark Moseley, from 1982.

Has anyone won both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season?

Yes. A few examples are Joe Montana (1989), Steve Young (1994), Kurt Warner (1999), and Patrick Mahomes (2022). It is difficult because the regular-season MVP is decided before the playoffs, and then the player must also shine in the Super Bowl.

Do voters use advanced stats?

Some do, especially now that analytics are more common. Efficiency numbers, expected points added (EPA), success rate, and situational metrics can support a case. But narrative, team success, and traditional stats still carry weight.

Do co-MVPs count as a full MVP for both players?

Yes. Co-MVPs are full MVPs. Both players are credited with one.

A brief stroll through MVP history by decade

1950s and 1960s: the roots

The AP MVP began in 1957. Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas set the tone. The game was more physical, seasons were shorter, and running the ball was the main plan. Winning multiple MVPs in this era meant beating fierce defenses in a rugged style of football.

1970s and 1980s: transition and balance

Defenses still had a big say, but passing grew. Players like Terry Bradshaw won Super Bowl MVPs, while regular-season MVP honors shifted among top quarterbacks and a few elite running backs. By the 1980s, Joe Montana and the West Coast offense showed how timing and precision could rule.

1990s: Favre’s three-peat and explosive offenses

Offenses opened up. Brett Favre’s back-to-back-to-back MVPs were a perfect match for the era’s creativity and aggression. He could make every throw and did not fear tight windows. This period also set the stage for the 2000s.

2000s and 2010s: Manning, Brady, Rodgers, and a pass-first league

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady battled for regular-season dominance, while Aaron Rodgers delivered jaw-dropping efficiency. Rule changes helped passing flourish. Touchdown totals rose, and quarterbacks took center stage more than ever.

2020s: new stars and new ideas

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson show what today’s MVPs can look like: creativity, movement, and flexibility. Offenses blend traditional concepts with spread looks and motion. The MVP race now often features players who can both pass and, when needed, run.

What it takes to win multiple MVPs

Elite play, season after season

Many players put up one huge year. To win two, three, or more, you need to be near the top for a long time. That means reading defenses, limiting mistakes, and producing in big moments year after year.

Health and timing

Bad luck can sink a great season. A midseason injury or a key teammate going down can derail MVP momentum. Timing also matters. If another star has a record-breaking year, even an excellent season might finish second in voting.

Coaching and system fit

Quarterbacks need protection and a scheme that matches their strengths. Manning and Brady played in systems that maximized their skills. Rodgers thrived in offenses that gave him freedom at the line. Mahomes and Jackson have coaches who build around what they do best.

The record today and the race tomorrow

Manning’s five still stands alone

Even in a pass-heavy era, five MVPs is a massive hill to climb. Manning’s blend of mind, mechanics, and leadership made him one of a kind. His record has stood through many great primes and many great offenses.

Rodgers sits at four

Rodgers is the closest, but adding one more MVP is never easy. It requires health, wins, and top-tier play for an entire season, often with new teammates and under the weight of high expectations.

Mahomes and Jackson are the active two-time threats

Both are young enough to make more runs. Mahomes is usually near the top of every preseason MVP prediction. Jackson’s growth as a passer and his unique rushing threat give him a high ceiling. Still, chasing five means staying elite for a long time.

Simple takeaways for new fans

MVP is about value, not just stats

Yes, numbers matter. But voters ask a bigger question: “Where would this team be without him?” The best MVP cases show value in wins, efficiency, and leadership. Clutch moments and late-season surges can seal it.

Quarterbacks are the default favorites

Modern offenses put the ball in the quarterback’s hands. That means QBs start with a head start. For a non-quarterback to win, he usually needs a season that is clearly historic.

Comparisons across eras need context

Do not compare raw totals from the 1960s to today. Consider the pace of play, number of games, and the rules. If you compare each player to his own era, you will get a fairer sense of greatness.

Conclusion: who has the most MVPs and why it matters

Peyton Manning has the most MVPs in NFL history with five AP awards. That record reflects more than stats. It shows long-term excellence, leadership, and the ability to shape games before the snap. Aaron Rodgers sits close behind with four, and a group of legends follows with three: Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Jim Brown, and Johnny Unitas. Modern stars like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson have two and could challenge the mark with time.

Understanding MVPs helps new fans see how the league values performance. It is not just about one huge game. It is a season-long test of consistency, decision-making, and team impact. As the NFL keeps evolving, the MVP will continue to spotlight how teams win in each era. For now, the answer is clear and historic: Peyton Manning stands alone with five, and everyone else is chasing.