De National Football League Most Valuable Player Award is een onderscheiding door verschillende instanties, met name de Associated Press, aan de speler die wordt beschouwd als de meest waardevolle speler in de competitie.
National Football League Most Valuable Player Award
NFL's Meest Waardevolle Spelers
De Joe F. Carr Trofee
De NFL kende de Joe F. Carr Trophy (genoemd naar de voorzitter van de league, 1921-39) toe aan de MVP van de league van 1938 tot 1946.
| Seizoen | Speler | Team | Positie |
| 1938 | Mel Hein | New York Giants | |
| 1939 | Parker Hall | Cleveland Rams | Halfback |
| 1940 | Ace Parker | Brooklyn Dodgers | Halfback |
| 1941 | Don Hutson | Green Bay Packers | Einde |
| 1942 | Don Hutson (2) | Green Bay Packers | Einde |
| 1943 | Sid Luckman | Chicago Bears | |
| 1944 | Frank Sinkwich | Halfback | |
| 1945 | Bob Waterfield | Cleveland Rams | |
| 1946 | Bill Dudley | Pittsburgh Steelers | Halfback |
Zoals toegekend door United Press International
United Press International gaf een NFL MVP Award van 1948 tot en met 1969, met uitzondering van 1949-50 en 1952. Vanaf 1970 kende UPI afzonderlijke prijzen toe voor de NFC en AFC. In 1975 voegde UPI een Defensive Player of the Year Award toe voor zowel de NFC als de AFC.
| Seizoen | Speler | Team | Positie |
| 1948 | Pat Harder | Chicago Cardinals | Fullback |
| 1949 | Geen selectie | ||
| 1950 | Geen selectie | ||
| 1951 | Otto Graham | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1952 | Geen selectie | ||
| 1953 | Otto Graham (2) | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1954 | Joe Perry | San Francisco 49ers | Fullback |
| 1955 | Otto Graham (3) | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1956 | Frank Gifford | New York Giants | Halfback |
| 1957 | Y. A. Tittle | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1958 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1959 | Johnny Unitas | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback |
| 1961 | Paul Hornung | Green Bay Packers | Halfback |
| 1962 | Y. A. Tittle | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1963 | Jim Brown (2) | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1964 | Johnny Unitas (2) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1965 | Jim Brown (3) | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1967 | Johnny Unitas (3) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1968 | Earl Morrall | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1969 | Roman Gabriel | Los Angeles Rams | Quarterback |
Zoals toegekend door de Associated Press
| Seizoen | Speler | Team | Positie |
| 1957 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | Running back |
| 1958 | Jim Brown (2) | Cleveland Browns | Running back |
| 1959 | Johnny Unitas | Baltimore Colts | |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback |
| 1961 | Paul Hornung | Green Bay Packers | Running back |
| 1962 | Jim Taylor | Green Bay Packers | Running back |
| 1963 | Y. A. Tittle | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1964 | Johnny Unitas (2) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1965 | Jim Brown (3) | Cleveland Browns | Running back |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1967 | Johnny Unitas (3) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1968 | Earl Morrall | Baltimore Colts | |
| 1969 | Roman Gabriel | Los Angeles Rams | Quarterback |
| 1970 | John Brodie | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1971 | Alan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Verdedigende tackle |
| 1972 | Larry Brown | Washington Redskins | Running back |
| 1973 | O.J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1974 | Ken Stabler | Quarterback | |
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback |
| 1976 | Bert Jones | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | Running back |
| 1978 | Terry Bradshaw | Pittsburgh Steelers | Quarterback |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1982 | Mark Moseley | Washington Redskins | Placekicker |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | Washington Redskins | Quarterback |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen | Los Angeles Raiders | Running back |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 | John Elway | Denver Broncos | Quarterback |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Joe Montana (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1992 | Steve Young | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Running back |
| 1994 | Steve Young (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1995 | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 1996 | Brett Favre (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1997 | Brett Favre (3) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | Running back |
| 1999 | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback | |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis Rams | Running back |
| 2001 | Kurt Warner (2) | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Oakland Raiders | Quarterback |
| 2003 | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning (2) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | Running back |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | Running back |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2008 | Peyton Manning (3) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2009 | Peyton Manning (4) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2010 | Tom Brady (2) | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2011 | Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | Running back |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning (5) | Denver Broncos | Quarterback |
| 2014 | Aaron Rodgers (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 2015 | Carolina Panthers | Quarterback | |
| 2016 | Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons | Quarterback |
| 2017 | Tom Brady (3) | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2018 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | Quarterback |
| 2019 | Lamar Jackson | Quarterback |
Zoals toegekend door de Pro Football Writers of America
| Seizoen | Speler | Team | Positie |
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton | Minnesota Vikings | |
| 1976 | Bert Jones | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | Running back |
| 1978 | Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell (2) | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1982 | Dan Fouts | San Diego Chargers | Quarterback |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | Washington Redskins | Quarterback |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen | Running back | |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 | Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers | Wide receiver |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Randall Cunningham | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1992 | Steve Young | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Running back |
| 1994 | Steve Young (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1995 | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 1996 | Brett Favre (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | Running Back |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | Running back |
| 1999 | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback | |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis Rams | Running back |
| 2001 | Marshall Faulk (2) | St. Louis Rams | Running Back |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Oakland Raiders | Quarterback |
| 2003 | Running Back | ||
| 2004 | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | Running back |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | Running back |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
Zoals toegekend door de Newspaper Enterprise Association
Deze onderscheiding liep van 1955 tot 1996 en was een peiling van NFL-spelers. De winnaar krijgt de Jim Thorpe Trophy (anders dan de Jim Thorpe Award van het collegiate football). Vanaf 1997 werd de Jim Thorpe Trophy uitgereikt door de Jim Thorpe Association, waarbij de winnaar werd bepaald door een "stemming van vertegenwoordigers van de NFLPA".
| Seizoen | Speler | Team | Positie |
| 1955 | Harlon Hill | Chicago Bears | Einde |
| 1956 | Frank Gifford | New York Giants | Running back |
| 1957 | John Unitas | Baltimore Colts | |
| 1958 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1959 | Charlie Conerly | New York Giants | |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback |
| 1961 | Y. A. Tittle | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1962 | Jim Taylor | Green Bay Packers | Running back |
| 1963 | Y. A. Tittle (2) | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1964 | Lenny Moore | Baltimore Colts | Halfback |
| 1965 | Jim Brown (3) | Cleveland Browns | Running back |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1967 | Johnny Unitas (2) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1968 | Earl Morrall | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1969 | Roman Gabriel | Los Angeles Rams | Quarterback |
| 1970 | John Brodie | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1971 | Bob Griese | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback |
| 1972 | Larry Brown | Washington Redskins | Running back |
| 1973 | O. J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1974 | Ken Stabler | Quarterback | |
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback |
| 1976 | Bert Jones | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | Running back |
| 1978 | Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell (2) | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1980 | Earl Campbell (3) | Houston Oilers | Running back |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1982 | Dan Fouts | San Diego Chargers | Quarterback |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | Washington Redskins | Quarterback |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback |
| 1985 | Walter Payton (2) | Chicago Bears | Running back |
| 1986 | Phil Simms | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1987 | Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers | Wide Receiver |
| 1988 | Roger Craig | San Francisco 49ers | Running back |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Warren Moon | Houston Oilers | Quarterback |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1992 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Running back |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith (2) | Dallas Cowboys | Running back |
| 1994 | Steve Young | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1995 | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 1996 | Brett Favre (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | Running back |
| 1998 | Randall Cunningham | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback |
| 1999 | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback | |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis Rams | Running back |
| 2001 | Kurt Warner (2) | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Oakland Raiders | Quarterback |
| 2003 | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning (2) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | Running back |
| 2006 | LaDanian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | Running back |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Quarterback |