Rob Gronkowski has bold take on 2023 NFL MVP Award

Retired tight end and future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski suggested Wednesday no quarterback should be the favorite to win Most Valuable Player honors this season ahead of Thanksgiving. 

"They just love to favor quarterbacks, that's for sure," Gronkowski said during an appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up & Adams" program, per Kevin Parrish Jr. of the Spun. "I definitely think a skilled player should be in that picture. The top six quarterbacks are leading the way to be the MVP favorite, but I don't think any of them really even deserve to be in the MVP consideration."

Quarterbacks have won the MVP Award every year since running back Adrian Peterson claimed the trophy for the 2012 campaign. As of Wednesday afternoon, oddschecker listed Philadelphia Eagles starter Jalen Hurts as the betting favorite at +260 odds to win the award. To compare, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was ninth on the list at +4000 odds. 

It seems unlikely Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett or any other defensive player will be in the running.

According to ESPN stats, Hurts enters Week 12 ranked sixth in the NFL with a 64.4 adjusted QBR and tied for third among all players with nine rushing touchdowns. He's tossed 15 touchdown passes and nine interceptions while helping the Eagles get to 9-1 ahead of Sunday's home game against the 6-5 Buffalo Bills. 

"It's just that they're quarterbacks," Gronkowski continued. "It's not like any of them are blowing you away with their numbers. Nobody is throwing for 400+ yards a game; everyone has been a little inconsistent." 

The lack of a runaway favorite to win MVP has helped Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud emerge as a legitimate candidate for the award. While Gronkowski made some solid points on Wednesday, history suggests he and others hoping a non-QB hoists the trophy during the "NFL Honors" program in February will probably be disappointed.