Former Buccaneers' Quarterback Tom Brady Reveals His 2023 NFL MVP Pick
Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win in the 2020 NFL Season and thinking back to that year many thought he should have won the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award as well.
Instead, that award went to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who Brady and the Buccaneers dispatched in the NFC Championship round of the playoffs.
Still, Brady knows a thing or two about being a player of the highest value, so when the Tampa Bay legend said on his Let's Go! podcast that he "definitely" has an MVP favorite this season, we paid attention.
"I remember the first time I actually got a glimpse of Christian was in the Rose Bowl," Brady said of McCaffrey on the episode. "He was a dynamic player then. He is a dynamic player now, and I think all of what he's done this year is a lot of what he's done in the past. It's a different team with some different opportunities and they've been really dynamic on offense.
"So he is definitely in my mind the MVP favorite and according to his quarterback too, Brock Purdy, who says some amazing things about him."
Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts before the wild card game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
There have been 10 NFL seasons since a running back won the award with Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson taking 61 percent of the vote to defeat Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
For McCaffrey to become the next, he'll have to defeat some serious odds, but having the greatest quarterback of all time in your corner certainly helps.
"I appreciate you saying that, man. That means a lot," McCaffrey said in response to Brady. "I don't get into all the award stuff, but to your point, I just think even being in the conversation is an honor."
With running back value seemingly at an all-time low these days, getting another one with an MVP Award could help to stop the degradation of the position a bit.
It would at least help reinforce the idea that the position is underrated, If not undervalued, and give the group as a whole something to celebrate after several off-seasons of lesser treatment.
"I look at guys around the league who are continuing to have success and that motivates me and continues to push me to compete with," McCaffrey said of his fellow backs. "But also at the same time it's great for the position."
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.
