Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill at press conference at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ArticlesNFLBy Ben Axelrod on

It’s not often that a non-quarterback contends for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. But through the first eight weeks of the 2023 season, that’s exactly the position that Tyreek Hill finds himself in.

Entering Sunday’s highly anticipated game against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, in Frankfurt, Germany, the Miami Dolphins star wide receiver has caught 61 passes for 1,014 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games. That puts him on pace to set a new NFL record by becoming the first player to ever amass 2,000 or more receiving yards in a single season.

Hill’s performance to this point in the season has launched him into the MVP conversation. Coincidentally, his biggest competition might be from his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

Speaking to reporters in Germany, Hill was asked about his MVP candidacy. But rather than make his own case, the 29-year-old credited an unlikely candidate with the success of the Dolphins’ offense.

“No. We have a player on this team that’s better than me,” Hill said, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. “And means more to this team than me. And his name… is [Dolphins fullback] Alec Ingold.”

In eight games, Ingold has rushed twice for zero yards and recorded four receptions for five yards. He also ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 overall fullback, with only a total of 10 fullbacks in the NFL having qualified for grading.

Suffice it to say, it’s highly unlikely that Ingold will provide much MVP competition to Hill — or anyone else. Considering that a non-quarterback hasn’t been named the NFL’s MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012 and no wide receiver has ever won the award, one could only imagine how rare it would be for a non-rushing fullback to win the league’s top individual honor.

Following Hill’s comment about the MVP race to reporters on Thursday, many took to social media to react.

[Jeff Darlington on X]

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.

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