Seattle Seahawks: Time to Calm Down the Russell Wilson MVP Talk
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has had a sensational season, but he is not worthy of being NFL MVP.
The sports media and fans can be notoriously two-faced, something which the Seattle Seahawks have been subjected to this season. In particular, look no further than the coverage and opinions regarding Russell Wilson.
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One minute, Wilson’s not worthy of the four-year extension he signed during the off-season. The next, you have the likes of 710 ESPN Seattle‘s Danny O’Neil saying he would pick the two-time Pro Bowler as his NFL MVP.
However, he is wrong about Wilson. And before I explain why, keep in mind I consider O’Neil to be one of the most talented and hard-working journalists in Seattle.
(For that matter, I’m a big fan of Wilson as well. I just feel this is worth pointing out, so people will hopefully realise I’m being objective with my opinion.)
There is no denying the Seahawks field general has been on a sensational run recently. In fact, no quarterback in NFL history has ever been as prolific as Wilson during these last five weeks.
However, therein lies the rational behind why the 27-year old should not be named league MVP. Pure and simple, it comes down to consistency.
Dec 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) participates in pre game warmups against the Cleveland Browns at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
As spectacular as Wilson has been in leading the Seahawks to five straight wins, he was just as unproductive earlier in the season. I’m sure no one needs reminding that the team started the campaign with a 2-4 record.
How can anyone pick Seattle’s main man over Cam Newton? The Carolina Panther’s quarterback has led his team to a 14-0 record.
This is itself, is the very definition of consistency. Heck, even if Wilson continues his recent form for the remainder of the regular season, and Newton loses his last two games, this would not be enough to change that fact.
Likewise, Tom Brady has also been more consistent than Wilson. In leading the New England Patriots to a 12-2 record, Brady has the most passing yards in the NFL, while throwing more touchdown passes and less picks than his Seahawks counterpart.
One argument in Wilson’s favor, is that he has enjoyed his recent success without the likes of Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham and Thomas Rawls. No doubt this is a great point, but keep in mind the Cincinnati, Ohio native struggled when he did have the services of these three great players.
Just to stress, none of this is a knock on Wilson. There’s no shame in being ranked behind a 14-0 quarterback and a four-time Super Bowl winner. (It should be a three-time winner, but that’s a story for another day.)
If anything, the recent Wilson MVP talk once again reiterates how ridiculous the media and sports fans can be. For example, was Ciara really a distraction earlier in the season and if so, how come she doesn’t get any of the praise now that her boyfriend is playing out of his mind?!?!
Ultimately, this is only one opinion, but the 2012 third round draft pick will not be named NFL MVP at the end of the season. However, Wilson has his sights set on more important things and in that respect, it’s not what he did or didn’t do earlier in the season that counts, but what he does moving forward.