Analyst: Broncos are playoff bound with Russell Wilson, who will earn NFL MVP

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, entering his 11th season, has never received a vote for NFL MVP. FOX Sports and NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager expects that to change. In fact, he picks Wilson to win the award.

“I’m going with Russell Wilson, and I’ll give you two words, 'Let’s Ride,” Schrager said Wednesday on "Good Morning Football." “The Broncos have got their guy, and they’re going back to the playoffs because of this guy.”

Schrager said the Broncos are using the blueprint of the past two Super Bowl champions. The Rams and Buccaneers traded for veteran quarterbacks (Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford), hoping they could turn their talented, young franchises into a champion. In both cases, it worked.

It’s not clear if Wilson possesses the same touch, but he does have weapons who could have breakout seasons. Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy worked closely with Wilson this summer, perfecting their skills.

Schrager also is high on second-year running back Javonte Williams, whom he named as his No.1 breakout candidate for 2022. 

“He will lead the league in rushing,” Schrager said recently. 

Wilson remains sharp heading into the opener against his former team, the Seahawks. According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, the QB overcame an injury to his right hand and led the NFL in total QBR in the final two games of the 2021 season.

In 2020, Wilson threw for the second-most touchdowns in the NFL (40), tying Brady. However, he received zero MVP votes, in part, because a late-season slump allowed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to catapult past him.