No, a player from the New York Jets franchise has never won the Associated Press (AP) NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Understanding the AP NFL MVP Award
The AP NFL MVP award is one of the most prestigious individual accolades in professional American football. It is awarded annually to the player deemed most valuable to his team and the league during the regular season, with the Associated Press having presented this award since 1957.
It's crucial to differentiate between various MVP awards from different leagues and eras. While legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath achieved two MVP titles during his illustrious career, these honors were specifically for the American Football League (AFL) in 1968 and 1969. The AFL was a separate professional football league that later merged with the NFL in 1970. The AP NFL MVP award, as the name suggests, specifically recognizes performance within the National Football League. Therefore, despite Namath's significant achievements, his AFL MVPs do not count as AP NFL MVPs.
NFL Franchises Without an AP NFL MVP Winner
The New York Jets are among a select group of NFL franchises that have yet to see one of their players win the coveted AP NFL MVP award. This list includes both long-standing teams and more recent expansion franchises.
Here are the six NFL franchises that have not produced an AP NFL MVP:
| Franchise | Notes |
|---|---|
| New York Jets | Joe Namath won two AFL MVPs, but no player has won an AP NFL MVP. |
| Houston Texans | An expansion team established in 2002, yet to produce an MVP. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | An expansion team established in 1995, still awaiting their first MVP. |
| Arizona Cardinals (formerly Chicago/St. Louis) | One of the NFL's oldest franchises, yet to have an MVP winner. |
| New Orleans Saints | Established in 1967, they are still seeking their first AP NFL MVP winner. |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Established in 1976, they have not had an AP NFL MVP. |
Despite having several standout players and notable team successes throughout their history, no Jets player has managed to capture this top individual honor in the National Football League. For comprehensive information on the award and its historical recipients, you can refer to the AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award on Wikipedia.
