Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill sustained an ankle injury in the first quarter on Sunday, December 11th, yet he resiliently contributed with four receptions for 61 yards by the end of the match. Meanwhile, Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faced an uncharacteristic challenge, as he failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in the year, recording a season-low 29.2 QBR. This game might’ve showed the world that Hill should be the MVP.
Photo Cred: Fox News
Former NFL player Chad Johnson told TMZ Sports that this highlighted Hill’s significance in the MVP conversation. “I know the MVP is a quarterback award, but what you saw for two quarters with the absence of Tyreek, is how important he is to that team.”
Hill currently leads the NFL in receiving yards with an impressive 1,542 and boasts 12 touchdown catches. His average of 118.6 yards per game puts him on track to tie for the fifth-best in a single year. It’s worth noting that the synergy between Hill and Tagovailoa has not gone unnoticed, with the quarterback’s breakthrough in 2022 aligning with Hill’s arrival as a four-time All-Pro.
Photo Cred: CBS Sports
Acknowledging the historical bias in the MVP race, Johnson emphasized the rarity of non-quarterbacks winning the award, citing Adrian Peterson in 2012 as the last exception. The trend is even more pronounced for wide receivers, with no player in that position ever leading the MVP balloting. Even legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice only secured second place on two occasions.
Despite these historical odds, Johnson’s stance on Hill’s importance to his team remains unshaken. Whether or not Hill secures the coveted MVP title, there is little dispute that he stands as one of the most vital players in the NFL. No wide receiver has ever won the MVP. Hill has a chance to go over 2,000 yards. Usually if a skill players win MVP, then they have to do something historical.
