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10 NFL MVPs Who Aren't in the Hall of Fame
These players won the league's top individual award but haven't been enshrined in Canton.
Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:34pm
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The Hall of Fame debate around these NFL MVPs who haven't been enshrined in Canton reflects the nuanced and sometimes subjective nature of the selection process.Oakland TodayWinning the NFL MVP is supposed to be a golden ticket to the Hall of Fame, but for some players, it remains the peak of their careers. This list highlights 10 NFL MVPs who have not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite their impressive individual seasons and accomplishments.
Why it matters
The Hall of Fame debate around these players sparks discussions about the criteria for induction, the importance of longevity versus peak performance, and the historical context of different eras in the NFL. Their exclusion raises questions about how the Hall of Fame selection process values certain positions, like kicker, and how it weighs individual awards versus team success.
The details
The reasons for these players' exclusion from the Hall of Fame vary. Some had careers cut short by injuries, while others put together one transcendent season surrounded by merely good years. A few never got the necessary votes, despite bodies of work that compare favorably to those who did make it to Canton. The list includes quarterbacks, a running back, a kicker, and a defensive back, highlighting the diverse positions represented among NFL MVPs who have not been enshrined.
- The players on this list all won their NFL MVP awards between 1976 and 2005.
The players
Larry Brown
Super Bowl MVP in 1996 with the Dallas Cowboys, but his career as a cornerback has not yet earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Bert Jones
Efficient quarterback who led the NFL in passing yards in his MVP season with the Baltimore Colts in 1976, but injuries derailed what could have been a longer run at the top.
Mark Moseley
The only kicker in NFL history to win the Associated Press MVP award, after making 20 of 21 field goals in the strike-shortened 1982 season with the Washington Redskins.
Steve McNair
Shared the 2003 MVP award with Peyton Manning, known for his toughness and ability to will his Tennessee Titans team to wins with both his arm and legs.
Rich Gannon
Won the MVP at age 37 in his 15th NFL season, leading the Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII, though the Super Bowl loss complicates his Hall of Fame case.
What’s next
The Hall of Fame selection committee will consider these players again when the next round of inductees is announced.
The takeaway
The exclusion of these NFL MVPs from the Hall of Fame highlights the complex and sometimes subjective nature of the selection process. It sparks debates about how the Hall of Fame values different positions, individual awards versus team success, and the historical context of different eras in the NFL.
