Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the winner of the 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Mahomes secured the honor after a record-breaking season where he led the league in passing yards (5,250) and passing touchdowns (41), earning 48 out of 50 first-place votes to claim his second career MVP trophy.
The 2022 NFL season remains a pivotal chapter in professional football history. It was a year defined by tactical shifts, the rise of a new generation of dual-threat quarterbacks, and the cementing of a modern dynasty. As we look back from the perspective of 2026, the 2022 MVP race serves as a masterclass in how elite talent can adapt to roster turnover and evolving defensive schemes. This breakdown explores the statistics, the voting narrative, and the long-term impact of Patrick Mahomes’ historic campaign.
The Case for Patrick Mahomes: Evolution of an Elite Passer
Entering the 2022 season, the primary narrative surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs was one of skepticism. Following the off-season trade of All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, many analysts questioned whether Patrick Mahomes could maintain his stratospheric production without his primary deep threat. The 2022 season provided a definitive answer.
Mahomes did not merely maintain his production; he evolved. By distributing the ball to a diverse group of receivers including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and the ever-reliable Travis Kelce, Mahomes became more efficient and harder to defend. He mastered the "death by a thousand cuts" approach, surgically dismantling defenses that utilized "two-high" safety shells designed specifically to take away the long ball.
Breaking the All-Time Total Yardage Record
The cornerstone of Mahomes’ 2022 MVP campaign was his sheer volume of production. He accounted for 5,614 total yards (5,250 passing, 358 rushing, and 6 receiving), which broke the previous NFL record for most total yards in a single season, a record formerly held by Drew Brees (5,562 yards in 2011).
This volume was not empty "garbage time" yardage. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 14-3 record and the number one seed in the American Football Conference (AFC). His ability to generate offense when the traditional run game sputtered was the catalyst for Kansas City’s dominance.
Efficiency and Advanced Metrics
Beyond the raw totals, Mahomes’ efficiency metrics in 2022 were staggering. He led the league in several key categories:
- Expected Points Added (EPA) per Play: Mahomes consistently put the Chiefs in scoring positions, leading all quarterbacks in EPA.
- QBR (Quarterback Rating): He finished the season with a league-high 77.6 QBR.
- Touchdown Percentage: His 6.3% touchdown rate was significantly higher than the league average, proving his lethality in the red zone.
The 2022 MVP Voting Breakdown
The Associated Press (AP) revamped its voting system for the 2022 season, moving to a weighted ballot where voters ranked their top five choices. This was intended to provide a more nuanced look at the race, though Mahomes' dominance made the final result nearly unanimous.
Mahomes received 48 of the 50 first-place votes. The remaining two first-place votes were split between Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. This landslide victory reflected a consensus that while other players had exceptional seasons, Mahomes was the clear engine behind the league's most potent offense.
2022 NFL MVP Final Voting Results
| Player | Team | First-Place Votes | Total Points | Passing/Rushing TDs | Total Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 48 | 490 | 45 | 5,614 |
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | 193 | 35 | 4,461 |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | 1 | 151 | 42 | 5,045 |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 128 | 40 | 4,735 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 55 | 9 | 1,833 |
Source: Associated Press NFL Honors 2022
Analyzing the Runners-Up: The Contenders Who Pushed Mahomes
While Mahomes took home the hardware, the 2022 season was rich with MVP-caliber performances. The competition highlighted the diverse ways the quarterback position was being played at the time.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' Renaissance
Jalen Hurts was the betting favorite for the MVP for a significant portion of the season. His dual-threat capabilities transformed the Philadelphia Eagles into a juggernaut. Hurts finished with 22 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns, a total of 35 scores.
The primary factor that hindered Hurts' MVP bid was a late-season shoulder injury that forced him to miss two games. During his absence, the Eagles struggled, which ironically bolstered his "value" argument, but the lack of total volume compared to Mahomes ultimately relegated him to second place.
Joe Burrow: The King of Consistency
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals overcame a 0-2 start to finish the season as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Burrow’s 2022 campaign was marked by incredible accuracy and poise under pressure. He finished with 4,475 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Burrow’s case was built on his head-to-head success and his ability to win in "clutch" moments, though he lacked the record-breaking yardage totals that defined Mahomes’ season.
Josh Allen: The Physical Force
Josh Allen continued to be a statistical monster in 2022. He was the primary reason the Buffalo Bills remained Super Bowl favorites for much of the year. Allen's 42 total touchdowns were second only to Mahomes. However, a mid-season slump and an increase in interceptions (14) led some voters to favor the more efficient Mahomes.
Justin Jefferson: A Historic Wide Receiver Performance
Justin Jefferson became the first wide receiver in years to garner serious MVP consideration. Winning the Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) award, Jefferson led the league with 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards. While he didn't win the MVP, his presence in the top five reflected a growing recognition of the impact "skill position" players have on the game's outcome.
Tactical Context: The "Post-Tyreek" Schematic Shift
To truly understand why Mahomes won the 2022 MVP, one must look at the tactical environment of the NFL that year. Defenses had spent the previous two seasons perfecting "Vic Fangio-style" schemes—dropping seven or eight players into coverage to prevent the explosive plays that the Chiefs were known for.
Mahomes’ 2022 season was a response to this evolution. He lowered his Average Depth of Target (aDOT) and increased his reliance on "Yards After Catch" (YAC). By utilizing the middle of the field and trusting his offensive line—which had been rebuilt following the Super Bowl LV loss—Mahomes achieved a level of consistency that exceeded his "human highlight reel" days of 2018.
This shift was a "Full Breakdown" of the latest defensive trends. Mahomes proved that he could win by being a "game manager" when necessary and a "magician" when required. This duality is what ultimately separated him from Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen in the eyes of the voters.
Historical Impact: Breaking the MVP "Curse"
One of the most discussed storylines of the 2022 season was the "MVP Curse." For over two decades, the player who won the NFL MVP award had failed to win the Super Bowl in that same season. The last player to achieve both was Kurt Warner in 1999.
Patrick Mahomes ended that streak in spectacular fashion. After being named MVP at the NFL Honors ceremony, he led the Chiefs to a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. He was also named Super Bowl MVP, making him the first player in the 21st century to win the NFL MVP, the Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl MVP in a single season.
This feat elevated Mahomes' 2022 season from a great statistical year to one of the greatest individual seasons in the history of the sport. It solidified his trajectory toward the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT) conversation, a debate that has only intensified as we have moved through the mid-2020s.
Looking Back from 2026: The Legacy of the 2022 Race
From our current vantage point in 2026, the 2022 MVP race is viewed as the dawn of the "Chiefs Dynasty" era. It was the year that proved the Chiefs were not just a product of a specific roster construction, but a perennial powerhouse built around the singular talent of Mahomes and the coaching of Andy Reid.
The 2022 season also marked the final transition of the "Old Guard." With Tom Brady retiring shortly after the season ended and Aaron Rodgers moving to the Jets, the 2022 MVP race was the official passing of the torch to the Mahomes-Hurts-Burrow generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 NFL MVP?
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, won the 2022 NFL MVP. He was announced as the winner during the NFL Honors ceremony in February 2023, just days before Super Bowl LVII.
What were Patrick Mahomes' stats in 2022?
During the 2022 regular season, Mahomes threw for 5,250 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also added 358 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, setting a then-NFL record for total yards in a season with 5,614.
Who were the finalists for the 2022 NFL MVP?
The five finalists for the award were Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Josh Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and Justin Jefferson (Vikings). Mahomes won with 48 out of 50 first-place votes.
Did the 2022 MVP winner also win the Super Bowl?
Yes. Patrick Mahomes broke a long-standing "curse" by winning both the NFL MVP and the Super Bowl in the same season (2022-2023). He also won the Super Bowl MVP award for his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
How does the NFL MVP voting work?
As of the 2022 season, the Associated Press uses a panel of 50 media members who rank their top five candidates. A first-place vote is worth 10 points, second-place is 5, third-place is 3, fourth-place is 2, and fifth-place is 1. This system replaced the single-vote system to better reflect the overall value of players.
Final Recommendation for Sports Historians
For those researching the 2022 NFL season, it is essential to look beyond the passing yards. To understand why Mahomes was the definitive choice, analyze the "EPA per play" metrics and the Chiefs' performance in 3rd-and-long situations. The 2022 season was won in the details of the short-to-intermediate passing game, a tactical shift that has come to define the modern NFL.
