Can Russell Wilson win 2022 NFL MVP like Peyton Manning did in 2013?

There have been a lot of comparisons between the Denver Broncos acquiring Peyton Manning in 2012 and Russell Wilson in 2022.

Both QBs had played their entire careers with one team, even winning a Super Bowl, before calling the Mile High City home. Manning came to Denver after the Colts cut him and were ready to draft Andrew Luck No. 1 overall. The Seahawks traded Wilson for reasons far more complicated (and unknown), but the Broncos were happy to take the perennial Pro Bowler off Seattle’s hands.

Regardless of why the Seahawks moved on from Wilson, he’s in Denver now, and expectations are sky high. Manning played four years with the Broncos, won four AFC West titles and played in two Super Bowls. Wilson should be the Broncos’ QB for more than four years, and at least on Super Bowl is the expectation.

For that to happen, a lot will have to go right, including Wilson playing at an extremely high level. Perhaps even the best football of his career. That’s what happened in 2013 for Manning, when he threw an NFL record 55 touchdown passes and took home the sport’s biggest individual prize.

That was Manning’s second season in Denver (he had a very solid 2012), but could Wilson find similar success in year one with the Broncos? According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, there’s a chance.

In a new piece for ESPN published on Thursday morning, Barnwell laid out 13 MVP candidates for 2022 and compared the possible scenario to a previous season. Wilson was one of his choices, and Manning’s 2013 was the comparison. Here’s part of what Barnwell wrote:

The MVP season comp: Peyton Manning in 2013

The story in 2013: A legendary passer found new life a mile high.

This one’s a stretch, if only because Manning had his spectacular season in his second year with the Broncos, while we’re projecting Wilson to win MVP in his debut campaign with Denver after a blockbuster trade in March. Just as Manning was able to elevate a group with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas into one of the league’s most devastating passing attacks, though, Wilson will get to throw to Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick.

While Barnwell acknowledges it’s a bit of a stretch, the part about the receivers makes sense. Manning had great weapons in Indy, and Wilson had solid ones in Seattle, but it was what Manning did with an unproven group in Denver that stood out. Wilson could do the same with Sutton, Jeudy and Patrick.

The stars would have to align, no doubt, but there’s a path for Wilson to win MVP. It’d obviously take the Broncos winning 12 or 13 games and taking the AFC West. Wilson would also have to throw 35-40 touchdowns and take care of the football.

It’s also worth noting, Barnwell’s list is a little wacky. One of his other 13 candidates is Broncos backup QB Brett Rypien. Seriously. He compares it to when Kurt Warner won MVP in 1999 after an injury to a proven starter. That scenario is extremely out there, but you can read about it if you want.

Regardless, if anyone on the Broncos is the NFL MVP in 2022, the team will have had its best season by a mile since the year Manning led them to Super Bowl 50.
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