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NFL Fan Poll Had Different Pick For Super Bowl 59 MVP

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 12:23 PM ET

Jalen Hurts took home Super Bowl 59 MVP honors after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to an emphatic win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Fans chose a different player.

A defensive player hasn't won Super Bowl MVP since Von Miller nine years ago, but a dominant display challenged that drought. The Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times without blitzing and turned two second-quarter interceptions into touchdowns at New Orleans.

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Hurts finished second in NFL.com's MVP fan vote. The ballot counts for 20 percent of the votes, with 16 media members deciding the other 80 percent.

Cooper DeJean won the popular vote after culminating a stellar first season with a pick-six on his 22nd birthday. The second-round pick became the first rookie to ever return an interception for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

"It’s crazy," DeJean said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank. "To be able to do it with this group of guys. I came in and since day one, all of us rookies, they brought us in, taught us everything they know. Now, to be here on the biggest stage and be able to hold that Lombardi Trophy and do it on my birthday and Saquon’s birthday – it’s pretty crazy."

However, other observers thought a different defensive standout merited the award over Hurts and DeJean. Florio said PFT's Charean Williams used a media vote on Josh Sweat, who tallied 2.5 sacks.

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer also chose Sweat.

"There were a lot of good candidates, but Sweat had an immediate impact on the game and kept Patrick Mahomes — one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time — under arrest for almost the entire game," McLane wrote Sunday night on social media.

Sweat appears to agree that he deserved the honor.

"I should've had it. I could've had it," Sweat said, per McLane. "It's all good, though."

Instead, Hurts became the 14th quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP in the last 19 years. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick while gaining 72 rushing yards and a "Tush Push" score.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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