Why Russell Wilson Deserves to be A Part Of The MVP Discussion

Bear with me for a second. I know Russell Wilson's numbers would say that he's far from being MVP worthy. He hasn't even passed for 15 touchdowns on the season. If we're talking "most valuable player" though, there's almost nobody as valuable to his team as Russell Wilson.

Russell Wilson has been banged up all year long. He's sustained injuries that would force other guys to miss extended time. He's kept soldiering through it though. Whether it be he takes good care of his body, or holy water he hasn't missed a game for the Seahawks despite his injuries. Until the New England game in week 9, the Seahawks offense looked terrible all year long. The offensive line couldn't block for Wilson, and they were struggling to run the ball effectively. That was largely due in part to Wilson not being able to run, but it could've been a lot worse.

Imagine if Russell Wilson had to miss time with injuries somewhere along the line. If you had thought the offense was bad with a hobbled Wilson, a backup Quarterback manning the helm would be a lot worse. There are few Quarterbacks in the league with Wilson's skill set, and it'd be hard to replicate the offense without Wilson. The Seahawks ask a lot of Wilson, whether it be standing strong in the pocket to make throws or getting out of it to run.

Wilson has progressed immensely since his rookie year as a pocket passer. With his mobility in mind as well, I can't think of a backup Quarterback who would allow the Seahawks to at least maintain a league average offense. If you were to put in a league average backup in Seattle's offense, it would easily become a bottom 5 offense in the NFL. All sorts of running lanes for Seattle's running backs would disappear, and whoever is standing behind center would be pummeled by the opposing pass rush.

The reason why Russel Wilson should be considered as an MVP candidate isn't just that he's literally one of the most valuable players in the NFL to his team, but also because he hasn't missed a game all season. After suffering TWO injuries that severely limited his effectiveness as well as force him to miss time, he still hasn't missed a game in his career. While playing through those injuries, he's helped lead the Seahawks to a 8-3-1record. If he had missed time and they had put their backup Trevone Boykin, I don't think Seattle would be better than 4-7. I think Wilson is THAT important to this Seattle team.

Have I mentioned the fact that Russell Wilson is a handsome devil yet? I mean he's not as handsome as Jimmy Garoppolo (the most beautiful person who plays football):

but he's pretty darn handsome. If Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo weren't already my NFL man crushes, Russell Hustle and Bustle Wilson certainly would be.

In all seriousness though, Russell Wilson should be mentioned in the MVP talks. He's been a consistent for the Seahawks this year, and has continued down the same trajectory as the second half of last season and is getting better and better. He's taken over as the "cog" to Seattle's offense, and they wouldn't be able to do what they're able to do on offense without him. Wilson won't get any love from MVP voters though. The wins are there, but his individual statistics aren't even close. I think it's about time to take the "Most Valuable Player" a little more literally though, because if Seattle is able to finish the year 12-3-1 it will be largely in part to Wilson (don't think I forgot that Seattle's D is very good). Wilson is in literal terms one of the most valuable players to their team in the NFL, and it's not fair to at least mention him in the MVP conversation.