Winning the Super Bowl is the pinnacle. But being the one guy standing on that podium while the confetti sticks to your sweaty forehead? That’s a different kind of immortality. We’ve seen 59 of these games now, and honestly, the history of NFL Super Bowl MVPs is a lot weirder than you probably remember.
Everyone thinks it’s just a "Best Quarterback" award. Most of the time, they’re right. But then you have the years where a random cornerback or a guy who only returns kicks steals the show. Just look at Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl LIX. He didn't just win; he basically put the Philadelphia Eagles on his back with a record-shattering 72 rushing yards for a QB and three total touchdowns to dismantle the Chiefs 40-22.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
The Quarterback Stranglehold (And the Guys Who Broke It)
If you’re betting on the MVP, you’re usually betting on the signal-caller. It’s the safest play in the book. Quarterbacks have taken home the Pete Rozelle Trophy 34 times. That’s more than half the games ever played.
Tom Brady is the king of this hill, obviously. Five trophies. Four with New England, one with Tampa Bay. The man has more Super Bowl MVPs than most franchises have rings. Then you’ve got Joe Montana and Patrick Mahomes sitting right behind him with three apiece.
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But the real stories? They’re the non-QBs.
Take Desmond Howard in Super Bowl XXXI. He’s still the only special teams player to ever win it. He didn't throw a pass or take a handoff. He just broke the New England Patriots' spirits with a 99-yard kickoff return.
Or think about the defensive grinders. We haven't seen a defensive player win since Von Miller basically terrorized Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50. Before him, you have to go back to Malcolm Smith in XLVIII. It takes a truly dominant, "you-can't-ignore-me" performance for a linebacker or safety to outshine a winning QB.
That One Time a Loser Actually Won
This is the ultimate "did you know" fact for NFL nerds. In 1971, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. It was a messy, ugly game—people call it the "Blunder Bowl."
Despite the loss, Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley was named the MVP.
He had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He was so good the voters couldn't give it to anyone on the winning team. Howley reportedly didn't even want the award because his team lost. To this day, he remains the only player from a losing squad to ever take it home. Honestly, with how the media votes now, we’ll probably never see that happen again.
How the Voting Actually Goes Down
You’ve probably wondered who actually picks this guy while the game is still finishing up. It’s not just one person. It’s a panel of 16 football writers and broadcasters.
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Here’s the kicker: your vote counts too. Sort of.
Since 2001, fans have been able to vote electronically during the game. The media panel carries 80% of the weight, and the fan vote makes up the remaining 20%. The voters usually have to submit their ballots with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
If a miracle play happens in the final 60 seconds? They’re allowed to change their minds.
The Position Breakdown
If you look at the raw numbers, the "value" is spread out thin once you move past the quarterbacks:
- Quarterbacks: 34 wins
- Wide Receivers: 8 wins (Cooper Kupp was the most recent in 2022)
- Running Backs: 7 wins (But none since Terrell Davis in 1998!)
- Linebackers: 4 wins
- Defensive Personnel: 7 wins total (including ends, tackles, and corners)
The drought for running backs is wild. Emmitt Smith, Terrell Davis, Marcus Allen—these guys used to dominate the game. Now, in the modern pass-heavy NFL, a RB has to have a legendary night just to get a look.
The Co-MVP Myth (That’s Actually True)
Most people think there is always just one winner. Usually, that’s true. But Super Bowl XII gave us the only exception. The Dallas Cowboys' "Doomsday Defense" was so suffocating against the Broncos that the voters couldn't pick between Harvey Martin and Randy White.
They shared the trophy.
The NFL actually told the voters they couldn't vote for the "entire defense," so Martin and White became the compromise. It was the first time a defensive tackle (White) or a defensive end (Martin) won the award.
Why Jalen Hurts' Win in 2025 Changed the Narrative
Heading into Super Bowl LIX, the talk was all about the Chiefs' three-peat. Patrick Mahomes was supposed to cruise to his fourth MVP.
Jalen Hurts had other plans.
By rushing for 72 yards, he broke his own record for a QB in the big game. He was efficient, clinical, and stayed cool even when the Chiefs tried to mount a late comeback. It proved that the modern dual-threat QB is the ultimate "cheat code" for MVP voters. You aren't just rewarding a passer; you're rewarding a guy who led the team in rushing and passing.
What to Watch for Next Year
If you're trying to predict the next MVP, stop looking at just the stats. Look at the narrative.
The media loves a comeback story. They love a guy who overcomes a mid-game injury or a huge mistake. Nick Foles won it in Super Bowl LII not just because of his stats, but because he was a backup who out-dueled Tom Brady.
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What you can do now:
- Track the odds: If you're into sports betting, look for "long shot" wide receivers or pass rushers early in the week. The payouts are huge compared to the favorite QB.
- Check the matchups: If a team has a weak secondary, the opposing WR1 has a massive chance to steal the MVP from his quarterback if he hauls in two or three scores.
- Watch the fourth quarter flurry: Remember that 20% fan vote. If a player goes viral for a catch or a hit in the final minutes, the social media surge often pushes them over the edge.
The Pete Rozelle Trophy is about more than just being the best player on the field. It’s about being the most memorable part of the biggest game on earth. From Bart Starr's first win in 1967 to Jalen Hurts' dominance in 2025, the list of NFL Super Bowl MVPs is the ultimate map of football history.