During Pro Bowl weekend, Indianapolis Colts running back, Jonathan Taylor, received a special honor.
Contrary to popular belief, running backs matter too. In recent years, there have been efforts to devalue the position, but the emergence of elite talents has stalled that process.
One of those elite talents is Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor, who just finished his second season, led the NFL in rushing this year. His weekly dominance gained a lot of respect from his peers and that was demonstrated over the Pro Bowl weekend.
Greg Auman of The Athletic conducted an anonymous poll of Pro Bowl players, asking them several questions. One of the questions was to name the offensive MVP of the season.
The players didn’t choose one of the elite quarterbacks, instead, it was Jonathan Taylor who received the most votes.
In @gregauman’s survey of Pro Bowlers, the players didn’t pick Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady for MVP. They went with Jonathan Taylor 👇🏻 https://t.co/erbN51sbfY
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) February 5, 2022
Jonathan Taylor voted as offensive MVP by Pro Bowlers
Now, this isn’t going to help Taylor in the actual voting of the award but it is a huge honor. Some of the best players who take the field every Sunday view Taylor as the most valuable offensive player and that may be most meaningful.
The players have good reason to give Taylor their vote. In 17 games, Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 40 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns.
He was the engine of the Colts offense and they went as he went. When Taylor rushed for more than 100 yards, Indianapolis was 9-1. Every game that Taylor was under the century mark, Indy lost.
If that’s not the definition of a valuable player, then what is.
The Colts missing the postseason surely didn’t help Taylor’s case, but it was always going to be a challenge for him. Towards the back half of the season, the National conversation was between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.
One of those names will likely be the one awarded at the NFL Honors on Saturday. However, regardless of who gets the official trophy, Taylor is the players’ MVP.
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