No wide receiver in NFL history has had a season quite like Tyreek Hill’s.
The Miami Dolphins star not only is on pace to become the first player to go over 2,000 receiving yards in a season, he is averaging more yards per game (123.4) than Calvin Johnson did the year he set the single-season record.
What’s more, Hill leads the NFL with 12 touchdown catches and plays for the current No. 1 seed in the AFC.
If there were ever a year for a receiver to win the league’s Most Valuable Player Award — which has never happened — this is it.
And yet, at 15-1, he’s a longshot to win MVP. Six players have shorter odds than Hill, including his teammate, Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill Talks Up Tua Tagovailoa for MVP
Given the structural advantages working against him, it would be completely understandable if Hill were a bit salty.
But Hill in his two years in Miami has proven to be an excellent teammate — and he seems determined not to let a little hardware change that.
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Asked at his locker Friday if even a record-breaking receiver could realistically win MVP, Hill replied:
“No, I don’t think so because there have been numerous times before I even started playing football that guys have been making plays, been having great seasons.
“It’s a quarterback award. We all know that. And if Tua won it, I’d be happy. I’d be happier if Tua won it. I feel like I’ve gotten everything I want. I get a chance to play the game that I love.
“God has blessed me with that. But obviously, winning the award would be icing on the cake. But God has blessed me with just everything I’ve got, with just being here in Miami. My family is enjoying life. I’m enjoying life. I’m just enjoying what every day has to offer. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Hill of course is right. Of the 67 MVP Awards handed out all time, a quarterback has won all but 21 of them. But that hasn’t happened since 2012 when Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson topped 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
“AP also took that ball a lot too, though,” Hill said when Peterson’s name was brought up. “He also had a lot of carries too, though. The way the league is now, I just don’t see it.”
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