The Philadelphia Eagles have a couple players who could contend for the MVP award.
The Philadelphia Eagles have a couple players who could contend for the MVP award. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Eagles were able to win the second Super Bowl in franchise history this past season, and it was due in no small part to the spectacular play from their stars.
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But some think they could get even better in the 2025 season.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon, he gives five "under-the-radar" candidates for the NFL Most Valuable Player Award this season. The reigning Super Bowl champions happen to have two players on his list, the first of which is star quarterback Jalen Hurts.
"Jalen Hurts' fantastic supporting cast probably cost him MVP consideration in 2024, and that's a shame because the uniquely talented star was the NFL's fifth-highest-rated passer while producing a combined 32 touchdowns," Gagnon wrote. "The problem is only 18 of those came through the air, and the tush push doesn't win over too many voters. However, if Hurts can bolster that number in particular, he could have a chance."
The Eagles may run the tush-push for a lot of Hurts' rushing touchdowns, but that does not take away the fact that he is an excellent player. If he can bring his passing touchdown number up, he could be a candidate for MVP this season.
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The other play Gagnon thinks could be a sleeper is the Eagles' running back, Saquon Barkley.
"The running back and Hurts could again cancel each other out to a degree, and both benefit from the tremendous talent around them," Gagnon wrote. "However, if the Eagles quarterback missed time and more were to fall on Barkley's shoulders—and if Hurts could deliver for a contender—an MVP run is not out of the realm of possibility."
The last time a non-quarterback won the MVP award was back in 2012 when future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson won it in 2012. But if there is one person who can break that streak, it is Barkley, who can put the entire team on his shoulders at times. If he can do that this season, he could be a candidate.
Our only beef here: These two aren't 'sleeper' candidates for MVP. Rather, they are candidates - period.
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If both players play well this season, they could very well cancel each other out, but they would be very hard to ignore entirely when the MVP conversation comes up.
Related: Eagles' Jalen Hurts Draws Wild Tom Brady Comparison in Workouts
Related: Eagles Analysis Breaks Down Saquon Barkley Retirement Tease
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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