NFL insider says Eagles Pro Bowler could be first wide receiver MVP
A wide receiver has never won the NFL's regular season MVP award.
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio said this week that Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown could become the first player to do so.
Brown continued his dominant 2023 campaign during Philadelphia's win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8, hauling in all eight of his targets for 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Brown's stunning run of six straight games of at least 127 receiving yards has him jockeying for the title of best wide receiver in the league, alongside Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins.
With the standout effort on Sunday against the Commanders, the Eagles two-time Pro Bowler became the first player in NFL history to record 125 receiving yards or more in six consecutive contests.
Brown has 939 receiving yards through eight games this year, putting him on pace for a stunning 1,995 this season.
Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson has the single season record for most receiving yards, posting 1,964 in 2012. Both Brown and Hill are on pace to pass the mark in 2023.
The Eagles alpha pass catcher leads the league in 20+ yard receiving plays (17) and is second only to Hill in receiving yards, receiving yards per game and receiving first downs. Brown also ranks tied for third in receptions (60), tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (five), fifth in targets (83) and tied for fifth in yards after catch (289).
Despite the gaudy statistics, Brown faces stiff competition in the MVP race.
Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa of the Baltimore Ravens and Dolphins respectively, Hill, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are just some of the big names putting up elite numbers as well.
Brown's next chance to boost his MVP case and extend his record streak of single game receiving yards comes when Philadelphia hosts the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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