Packers: Should Aaron Jones be considered in the MVP race?

Is Aaron Jones an MVP contender?

Aaron Rodgers believes teammate Aaron Jones should be in the MVP race. It’s certainly understandable why.

Jones has been dominant in Matt LaFleur’s offense this season. His 14 total touchdowns is tied for a league-best along with another MVP candidate, Christian McCaffrey. Jones also shares the league-lead in rushing touchdowns with McCaffrey, finding the end zone 11 times.

Jones’ rise as a pass catcher has helped him become an elite running back. In 10 games this year, he has 35 receptions, which matches the total number of catches he made in his first two seasons combined. He’s already set career-highs in receiving yards and touchdowns with six games still to play.

Jones has more games with multiple touchdowns (four) than games with zero touchdowns (three). He found the end zone four times against the Dallas Cowboys and three times against the Carolina Panthers. At his best, he’s been one of the most dominant running backs in the NFL this season.

Rodgers is absolutely right that Jones should enter the conversation for the MVP award, but the Green Bay Packers‘ star running back has a lot of work to do to actually win the award.

As noted, McCaffrey has as many touchdowns as Jones this season. But where McCaffrey is a long way ahead is the yards he’s put up. McCaffrey has 989 rushing yards and 396 receiving yards, and he’s played one fewer game than Jones. McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing yards per game and is third in yards per carry.

Currently, if a running back is to win the award, McCaffrey is miles ahead of the competition.

Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson are all strong candidates. Rodgers isn’t too far behind, either.

Wilson is averaging 273.7 passing yards per game with a league-leading 23 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Watson is averaging 270.2 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Rodgers is averaging 271.8 yards with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wilson’s passer rating is 114.9, which leads the league. Watson has a passer rating of 107.1, fourth-best. Rodgers’ is 102.7, seventh-best.

Jackson’s rushing ability has made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL this season.

Jackson is averaging 226.2 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions and a 101.7 passer rating.

But Jackson is far and away the leading rusher among quarterbacks. He’s 11th in the NFL for rushing with an incredible 702 yards and six touchdowns. Jackson is on pace for 1,248 rushing yards, which would be an NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season.

Aaron Jones is having a great season, there’s no doubt. He’s on pace for 1,508 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. But while he should absolutely be in the conversation for MVP, it would take a special final six games of the season to be the favorite for the award.