NFL's All-Time MVPs: The Most Valuable Player in the History of Each Team

Who is the most valuable player of each current NFL franchise's history?

If you are a San Francisco 49ers fan, is it Jerry Rice or Steve Young? Is it the greatest player, or is it the guy who brings the most potential into each game? Some of believe it is the old time legend like Johnny Unitas who have already proven their spot in history, while others believe it is someone like Peyton Manning who, until recently, was still playing on Sundays.

At the end of the day, it really differs between the individual and what they believe it takes to embody the role of the team's all-time MVP.

Over the course of a franchise, teams have had many excellent players take the field. It can be extremely difficult to differentiate between them and the value they brought. Some value defense, while others value offense. Others even believe in the kicker. A MVP can come from anywhere at anytime. 

Here are the all-time MVPs of each current NFL franchise. Enjoy.

Dallas Cowboys

Player: Emmitt Smith

Position:  Running Back

Played: 1990-2004

Why

Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. With that in mind, it is pretty inevitable that he'd make this list. Smith has been inducted to the Hall of Fame and was rated No. 28 on the greatest players of all time by the NFL. The Cowboys have had many great players over the years, but no one has ever topped Smith and his accomplishments. The current crop of Cowboys don't look to have a chance either.

Honorable Mentions

Michael Irvin, Wide Receiver

Troy Aikman, Quarterback

Tony Dorsett, Running Back

New York Giants

Player: Lawrence Taylor

Position: Linebacker

Played: 1981-93

Why

The original LT, Taylor was one of the most feared men in football. With the Giants, he won two Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times. The NFL ranked him the third best player in NFL history. The Giants have had a lot of great players over the years, and defense has been a long tradition of greatness, most recently with now retired DE Michael Strahan.  Taylor won two Super Bowls with the Giants and also was named MVP in 1986.

Honorable Mentions

Phil Simms, Quarterback

Michael Strahan, Defensive End

Tiki Barber, Running Back

Philadelphia Eagles

Player: Reggie White

Position:  Defensive End

Played: 1985-2000

Why

As one of the most dominate defense ends of NFL history, White made his biggest impact during the 1987 season when he recorded 21 sacks. The NFL ranks him as the No. 7 greatest player in NFL history. Although White finished the end of his career with the Packers, where he won a Super Bowl, White will always be known as an Eagle first. His No. 92 is now retired with the team, and there really is no bigger honor for the Hall of Fame defensive end.

Honorable Mentions

Donovan McNabb, Quarterback

David Akers, Kicker

Steve Van Buren, Running Back

Washington Redskins

Player: Joe Theismann

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1974-85

Why

The Washington Redskins 1983 Super Bowl win was led by quarterback Joe Theismann. It came towards the end of his career, and also followed up with another Super Bowl appearance. That one was a loss though. Theismann is still the greatest Redskins quarterback to date, leading in passing yards and completions.

Honorable Mentions 

Darrell Green, Cornerback

Sammy Baugh, Quarterback

Art Monk, Wide Receiver

Buffalo Bills

Player: O.J. Simpson

Position:  Running Back

Played: 1969-79

Why

The Juice is loose on this list. Looking past Simpson's post-football troubles, no one can deny the career that Simpson had. He won the 1973 NFL MVP award, as well as being named No. 40 on the NFL's all-time greatest list. In his MVP season, Simpson broke for 2,003 yards, but only had 12 touchdowns. Still, he owned the ground any game that season. It is hard for many to look past what Simpson is now, but when he played, he was just amazing to watch.

Honorable Mentions 

Bruce Smith, Defensive End

Andre Reed, Wide Receiver

Thurman Thomas, Running Back

Miami Dolphins

Player: Dan Marino

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1983-99

Why

Dan Marino is arguably one of the great quarterbacks of all time, and is mostly known for being that one without a Super Bowl ring. He spent his entire career in Miami, and now has his No. 13 retired by the team, as well as being the owner of 31 different Miami Dolphin records. He was ranked No. 25 on the NFL's greatest players of all time list. Marino by far the greatest Dolphin, and his name will always continue to coincide with greatness.

Honorable Mentions

Bob Griese, Quarterback

Larry Csonka, Full Back

Jason Taylor, Linebacker

New England Patriots

Player: Tom Brady

Position: Quarterback

Played: 2000-Present

Why

Tom Brady has played during one of the greatest eras of NFL quarterbacks. That being said, he has claimed three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, one of which was during his first season starting. Brady still has a bright future, but no one has electrified the Patriots' franchise like their current passer. As long as No. 12 is on the field, the Patriots always will have an advantage going into the game. Brady already has a spot in the Hall of Fame waiting for him.

Honorable Mentions

Teddy Bruschi, Linebacker

Rodney Harrison, Safety

Mike Haynes, Cornerback

New York Jets

Player: Don Maynard

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 1958-73

Why

Along with Art Powell, Don Maynard tore up teams' secondaries when the two played for the New York Giants. In 13 seasons in New York, Maynard averaged 902 yards a season. He had three seasons with over 1,200 yards, including a career high season in 1967 when he had 1,434 receiving yards. That season the Jets won the Super Bowl. Maynard isn't much of a household name, but he certainly ranks with some of the best receivers of all time.

Honorable Mentions 

Joe Namath, Quarterback

John Abraham, Defensive End

Gerry Philbin, Defensive End

Arizona Cardinals

Player: Kurt Warner

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1998-2009

Why

Kurt Warner may have been approaching the end of his career when he joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2005, but wow did he look like his young self. Warner revived the Cardinals' franchise. Whether they were good or bad, he still was a shine of light for this team. In 2008, he took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, but in the end they lost a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Warner took the Cardinals back to the playoffs in 2009, where he had his epic performance against the Packers tossing five touchdowns for 379 yards. Following a loss to the New Orleans Saints, Warner finally retired.

Honorable Mentions

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver

Darnell Dockett, Defensive End

Adrian Wilson, Safety

St. Louis Rams

Player: Kurt Warner

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1998-2009

Why

No, this isn't a mistake or the same slide that you just previously looked at. Kurt Warner was just that great of a quarterback, especially for the situations he was put in. While Warner played for the Rams, they were known as the Greatest Show on Turf, leading an offense made up of Marshall Faulk, Issac Bruce and Torry Holt. Two of Warner's best seasons in St. Louis involved him throwing for over 4,000 yards with 41 touchdowns in 1999 and 36 in 2001.

Honorable Mentions

Orlando Pace, Left Tackle

Issac Bruce, Wide Receiver

Marshall Faulk, Running Back

San Francisco 49ers

Player: Jerry Rice

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 1985-2004

Why

This one doesn't really need explaining. If you were wondering though, Jerry Rice is arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time. The NFL lists him as the greatest football player ever, and there is no reason to argue with that. He holds all the receiving records, and he holds them by a huge margin. The closest to him are Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, and neither man is still playing. Both those guys also had incredible careers, which speaks for Rice and his accomplishments. 

Honorable Mentions 

Steve Young, Quarterback

Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver

Joe Montana, Quarterback

Seattle Seahawks

Player: Matt Hasselbeck

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1998-Present

Why

When reviewing the Seattle Seahawks history, it is hard to ignore the play of Steve Largent or Shaun Alexander, but in the end Matt Hasselbeck was too prevalent as a Seahawk for 10 years. Hasselbeck took the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005, although they did lose that game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He owns 35 of the Seahawks' regular season and playoff records, including passing yards.

Honorable Mentions

Steve Largent, Wide Receiver

Shaun Alexander, Running Back

Walter Jones, Offensive Line

Denver Broncos

Player: Tim Tebow John Elway

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1983-98

Why

There is no denying that John Elway is the greatest Denver Bronco of all time. There have been many great players in the team history, but no one ever did more then Elway. Elway won two Super Bowls with Denver, and was also named to the Hall of Fame in 2004. On the field, Elway was one of the most dangerous passers of all time, and was named No. 23 on the NFL's greatest players of all time list. Over his 12 year career, Elway threw for over 50,000 yards and 300 touchdowns.

Honorable Mentions 

Shannon Sharpe, Tight End

Terrell Davis, Running Back

Floyd Little, Running Back

Kansas City Cheifs

Player: Tony Gonzalez

Position: Tight End

Played: 1997-Present

Why

Not many teams would have their tight end as their best player, but that seems to be the case for the Kansas City Chiefs. Tony Gonzalez holds many receiving records for the Chiefs, including career receptions, yards and touchdowns. As a NFL player, Gonzalez also holds records for a tight end in total receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns. With Kansas City, Gonzalez had four seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving.

Honorable Mentions

Derrick Thomas, Linebacker

Priest Holmes, Running Back

Emmitt Thomas, Cornerback

Oakland Raiders

Player: Tim Brown

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 1988-2004

Why

While Tim Brown isn't a household name like Jerry Rice, he is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. Spending 16 seasons in Oakland, Brown put up the majority of his 1,094 receptions, 14,934 yards and 100 touchdowns. Brown has yet to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, but he will be in no time.

Honorable Mentions

Howie Long, Defensive End

Fred Biletnikoff, Wide Receiver

Marcus Allen, Running Back

San Diego Chargers

Player: LaDainian Tomlinson

Position: Running Back

Played: 2001-Present

Why

There have been many great players in the San Diego Chargers' history, but no one has been more valuable to the Chargers then running back LaDainian Tomlinson. In nine seasons in San Diego, LT ran for more then 1,000 yards in eight different seasons. He also broke the regular season rushing touchdown record, getting in the end zone 28 times. After that 2006 season, LT started to slow down, but he still is a threat on the ground today.

Honorable Mentions

Dan Fouts, Quarterback

Antonio Gates, Tight End

Junior Seau, Linebacker

Chicago Bears

Player: Walter Payton

Position: Running Back

Played: 1975-87

Why

Arguably the greatest running back of all time, Walter Payton has gone down as the greatest player in Chicago Bears history. The Bears have a rich tradition of hard hitting linebacker and hard nosed running backs, but no one has been more important to the teams history then Payton. Payton won a Super Bowl with the Bears, as well as being named the NFL MVP in 1977. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and has had his number retired by the Bears.

Honorable Mentions

Brian Urlacher, Linebacker

Gale Sayers, Running Back

Dick Butkus, Linebacker

Detroit Lions

Player: Barry Sanders

Position: Running Back

Played: 1989-98

Why

Could Barry Sanders have been the greatest running back if he didn't retire so early? Well, we will never know, but the man was electrifying during his short career. In just 10 seasons, Sanders accumulated 15,269 yards and 99 rushing touchdowns, making have the third most in NFL history in both categories. Some would argue that Sanders retired when he still had much left in the tank, coming off of a 1998 season 1,491 yards. Perhaps what made him question himself was that he only scored four touchdowns on the season.

Honorable Mentions

Dick LeBeau, Defensive Back

Dick Lane, Defensive Back

Doak Walker, Running Back

Tyler Hanson, Kicker

Green Bay Packers

Player: Brett Favre

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1991-2010

Why

No matter how annoying Brett Favre was with his indecisiveness when it came to retiring, he was still one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He may not have been on the best terms with the Green Bay Packers when he was traded, but with Aaron Rodgers success, he isn't as much of a villain as he was. Still, Favre is the greatest Packer of all time. He owns pretty much every passing record that the Packers have, and many of the NFL's. He was named No. 20 to the NFL's greatest players ever list, and will likely move up when the make a new one. Whether you hate him or love him, there is no denying that Favre was great.

Honorable Mentions

Bart Starr, Quarterback

Reggie White, Defensive End

Ahman Green, Running Back

Minnesota Vikings

Player: Randy Moss

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 1998-2010

Why

It certainly isn't easy to choose between Randy Moss and Cris Carter, but when push comes to shove, Moss goes down as the Minnesota Vikings all-time MVP. In Moss' rookie season with the Vikings, he caught 17 touchdown passes and was the NFL Rookie of the Year. With Daunte Culpepper, Moss and the Vikings were a very dangerous teams. They had two of the best offensive weapons in the game in their prime. One issue Moss always had though was he was a character for controversy, and eventually the Vikings couldn't handle it anymore. In 2010, they gave it a second go with Moss, but things just didn't work. Despite all the trouble, Moss is still the greatest ever to wear the purple and gold.

Honorable Mentions

Cris Carter, Wide Receiver

Frank Tankerton, Quarterback

Adrian Peterson, Running Back

Baltimore Ravens

Player: Ray Lewis

Position: Linebacker

Played: 1996-Present

Why

Ray Lewis is not only the greatest Baltimore Raven of all time, but he will likely go down as one of the greatest players of all time. Lewis has spent his entire career in Baltimore, and he has always been a fan favorite. He is one of the hardest hitting players in the history of the NFL, and one of the best players in the game still. Lewis helped the Ravens claim a Super Bowl title in 2001, a game in which Lewis was named MVP. How often does a defensive player win the Super Bowl MVP? Exactly. Lewis still has many good years in him, and he will continue to shake up the NFL for years to come.

Honorable Mentions

Rod Woodson, Defensive Back

Ed Reed, Safety

Jamal Lewis, Running Back

Cincinnati Bengals

Player: Chad Johnson

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 2001-Present

Why

The Cincinnati Bengals haven't had too many MVP caliber players in their rather short existence, but one player stood out as their biggest player. Also their most entertaining. That would be the eccentric wide receiver Chad Johnson. Johnson spent 10 years in Cincinnati before being traded in the 2011 off season to the New England Patriots.

Johnson was on a slow decline towards the end of his career, but at one point he was one of the most dangerous wide outs in the league. He was comparable to the likes of Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, and was easily one of the quickest receivers during his prime. Things fell apart in Cincinnati following the 2010 season, but hopefully one day Johnson will be able to join the Bengals' roster of retired numbers, putting that signature 85 to rest.

Honorable Mentions

Reggie Williams, Linebacker

Carson Palmer, Quarterback

Corey Dillon, Running Back

Cleveland Browns

Player: Jim Brown

Position: Running Back

Played: 1957-65

Why

Jim Brown's career was rather short, nine seasons to be exact. In those eight seasons though, Brown was by the far the greatest running back in football and is still considered so today. Brown was ranked No. 2 by the NFL on their all-time greatest lists, and it deserving. In just nine seasons, Brown rushed for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns. Those numbers are ridiculous, and there is no doubt that Brown would have pushed himself away from the future competition if he was able to put in more years. Even with a short career, Brown is without a doubt the best player to ever play for the Browns.

Honorable Mentions

Otto Graham, Quarterback

Ozzie Newsome, Tight End

Bobby Mitchell Running Back

Pittsburgh Steelers

Player: Joe Greene

Position: Defensive Line

Played: 1969-81

Why

The man who was nice enough to give away his jersey to a kid, wasn't so mean after all. Joe Greene was one of the most feared men in football, totaling 78.5 sacks over his thirteen year career. He was also selected to the Pro-Bowl 10 times, as well as winning four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the face of what became the Steel Curtain, one of the toughest defensive lines in the league. There have been many great players in Steelers' history, but no one was more important than Mean Joe.

Honorable Mentions

Mel Blount, Defensive Back

Terry Bradshaw, Quarterback

Rod Woodson, Defensive Back

Atlanta Falcons

Player: Michael Vick

Position: Quarterback

Played: 2001-Present

Why

Say what you want about Michael Vick, but from strictly just a football standpoint, he is one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. Vick can throw the ball and get around the field on his feet like a running back, actually better then most. When Vick started out his career with the Atlanta Falcons, they were blessed with one of the most talented people ever.

One of Vick's major flaws was that he was often injured, and many will argue that it why perhaps Deion Sanders and not Vick deserve this spot. Still, Vick was the guy who was the most valuable to the Falcons. In 2006, his last season with the team, Vick started all 16 games and recorded over 2,000 yards through the air and over 1,000 yards on the ground. It just proved how unique he was, and perhaps he could have brought a Super Bowl to Atlanta if it wasn't for his legal troubles.

Honorable Mentions

Deion Sanders, Defensive Back

Tommy Nobis, Linebacker

William Andrews, Running Back

Carolina Panthers

Player: Julius Peppers

Position: Defensive End

Played: 2002-Present

Why

Although Julius Peppers is now with the Chicago Bears, for eight seasons Peppers was the most dangerous man in the NFC South. In 2002, he was named Rookie of the Year, recording 12 sacks and 28 tackles. Every year Peppers continuously got better and better, finishing out his career in Carolina with 81 sacks in just eight seasons. He was also named to the Pro Bowl five times. Peppers is certainly missed in Carolina, as he is by far one the greatest defensive ends to ever play the game. 

Honorable Mentions

Steve Smith, Wide Receiver

Jake Delhomme, Quarterback

Sam Mills, Linebacker

New Orleans Saints

Player: Drew Brees

Position: Quarterback

Played: 2001-Present

Why

While Drew Brees has only been with the New Orleans Saints since 2006, he certainly has done a lot in such a short amount of time. Brees was a free agent, and he could have chosen to go anywhere. Instead of going somewhere ideal, he choose New Orleans in a time of despair. Brees is this teams MVP on the fact alone that he helped revive this city. In just three seasons, Brees took the Saints from nobodies to Super Bowl Champions. Brees also has had much individual success, as he holds the records for most touchdowns by a Saints quarterback over their career in New Orleans.

Honorable Mentions

Deuce McAllister, Running Back

Archie Manning, Quarterback

Marques Colston, Wide Receiver

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Player: Derrick Brooks

Position: Linebacker

Played: 1995-2008

Why

A for sure future Hall of Fame inductee, Derrick Brooks is known by and large as the best player to ever play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During Brooks tenure with the Bucs, he made the Pro Bowl 11 times while also helping the Bucs claim a Super Bowl title in 2003. Brooks played his entire career in Tampa, allowing him to create this loyalty and commitment to the Bucs' faithful. In 14 seasons, Brooks recorded 1,698 tackles and 25 interceptions.

Honorable Mentions

Warren Sapp, Defensive Tackle

Ronde Barber, Defensive Back

Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive End

Houston Texans

Player: Andre Johnson

Position: Wide Receiver

Played: 2003-Present

Why

The Houston Texas life as a team is rather short, but wide receiver Andre Johnson has become the standout player for this team's franchise. In eight seasons, Johnson has had five seasons of 1,000 or more yards. He also has a total of 77 touchdowns over his eight year career, and without a doubt he will continue to improve upon these numbers. The Texans obviously believe so, too. They made Johnson the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history after the 2009 season.

Honorable Mentions

Matt Schaub, Quarterback

Arian Foster, Running Back

Mario Williams, Linebacker

Indianapolis Colts

Player: Peyton Manning

Position: Quarterback

Played: 1998-Present

Why

While many will argue still that Johnny Unitas deserves this spot, the collapse of the 2011 Indianapolis Colts just proved how valuable Manning is to their franchise. Manning has been the NFL MVP four times, the most of any player ever in NFL history. Although he has only won one Super Bowl, Manning still is often the best quarterback in the league.

In years past, he and Tom Brady were often pitted against one another in comparisons, and now unfortunately we can't do the comparisons of Manning and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While many Colts' fans hope to see Manning return by seasons end, or in 2012, they will always know that Manning is what makes the Colts who they are.

Honorable Mentions

Johnny Unitas, Quarterback

Marvin Harrison, Wide Receiver

Raymond Berry, Wide Receiver

Jacksonville Jaguars

Player: Fred Taylor

Position: Running Back

Played: 1998-2010

Why

While there hasn't been a whole lot of amazing talent coming out of Jacksonville (considering the franchise doesn't have much history with it only entering the league 16 years ago), running back Fred Taylor overwhelmingly became the greatest player to ever put on a Jaguars' uniform.

In 11 seasons with Jacksonville, Taylor ran for over 11,000 yards while rushing in a total of 62 touchdowns. He was the Jaguars best player, and is arguably one of the better running backs of his generation. The Jaguars do have a nice option in Maurice Jones Drew, but he will likely never accomplish what Taylor did in his 11 seasons in Jacksonville.

Honorable Mentions

Mark Brunell, Quarterback

Jimmy Smith, Wide Receiver

Mike Hollis, Kicker

Tennessee Titans

Player: Eddie George

Position: Running Back

Played: 1996-2004

Why

Eddie George may have started out his career with the Houston Oilers, they changed their name to the Tennessee Titans after George's first season. In his career with the Titans' organization, George recorded seasons of over 1,000 yards in seven out of his eight seasons with the team.

In his Titans career, he has rushed for over 10,000 yards and scored on the ground a total of 64 times. The most remarkable thing about him is that in eight seasons, he never missed one start. In a position that entails so much abuse, it is remarkable that he never was slowed by injuries in his eight seasons with the Titans. Perhaps it all caught up on him though, as George never made it after one season with the Dallas Cowboys.

Honorable Mentions

Steve McNair, Quarterback

Earl Campbell, Running Back

Warren Moon, Quarterback