5 most controversial NFL MVP winners of all-time feat. John Elway, Brett Favre, and more

Although it's uncommon, there have been instances where players have earned the NFL's most prized individual award, MVP, yet left many questioning whether they truly deserved it. In several cases, other players deserved the award more than the actual winners, but the voters didn't think they played well enough to earn it.

The five most controversial NFL MVP winners of all time are ranked in this article.

Top 5 most questionable NFL MVPs of all time

5) QB Peyton Manning over RB Chris Johnson - 2009

According to the statistics, many people still believe that Peyton Manning's 2009 season was average by his standards. Even though Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson seemed to have a stronger claim to the MVP title that season, the legendary signal-caller still managed to win it.

Despite spearheading the Titans offense that season and rushing for 2,000 yards, Johnson did not receive a single vote for MVP. Although Johnson's claim to the individual award was probably harmed by the Titans' inability to make the playoffs, he still deserved the honor.

The voters likely chose the five-time MVP because the Indianapolis Colts finished with a 14-2 record that season, but it wasn't entirely Manning's doing.

4) QB Joe Montana over QB Randall Cunningham - 1990

One of the quarterbacks who changed the way the position is played in the NFL is Randall Cunningham. However, he did not get the MVP title he was due in 1990, despite having one of his best seasons in the league.

It was San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana who secured his back-to-back MVP instead in the 1990 season. Cunningham received 18 first-place votes, compared to 26 for Montana.

Montana's passing total was 3,944 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions during that season. As he led the Niners to an NFC-best 14-2 record, he also contributed 162 rushing yards and one touchdown with his legs.

On the other hand, Cunningham, a dual-threat quarterback, passed for 3,466 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Most significantly, he led the 10-6 Philadelphia Eagles to the postseason while recording 942 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

The 1990 season was one of the three times Cunningham finished second in the MVP voting in his career, but maybe he really should have won the one in 1990.

3) QB Kurt Warner over RB Marshall Faulk - 2001

Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner, teammates at the St. Louis Rams, had each earned one MVP award in 1999 and 2000. They both helped the Rams to a 14-2 record in the 2001 season and went head-to-head for the MVP award.

Despite leading the NFC with 22 picks, Warner's season-long passing total of 4,830 yards, the second-highest in history, and 36 touchdowns was impressive. Meanwhile, despite sitting out two games, Faulk amassed 2,147 offensive yards and scored 21 touchdowns.

Warner received four more votes than Faulk, who was considered by many to be the game's most lethal player that season, in the MVP ballot.

2) QB Brett Favre and RB Barry Sanders tie - 1997

During the 1997 NFL season, one of the most unexpected award choices the league has ever witnessed was Brett Favre and Barry Sanders shared MVP for the first time in history.

Sanders carried for 2,056 yards (the fourth-most ever in a single season) and 11 scores that season, while Favre guided the Green Bay Packers to a 13-3 record with 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns. The legendary RB helped the Detroit Lions achieve a 9-7 record in a season many believed they wouldn't have made the playoffs without his contributions.

Sanders should have won the MVP award that year as he was arguably the only factor contributing to his team's success that year, even though Favre was given the honor due to his team's achievements.

The votes suggested that Favre and Sanders were comparable in the 1997 NFL season, but the fact remains that the running back outperformed Favre and should be remembered as one of the few running backs to win the MVP award exclusively.

1) QB John Elway over WR Jerry Rice - 1987

In 1987, Jerry Rice became the first player to record more than 20 receiving touchdowns in a season in just 12 games. In just 12 games that season, he dominated the NFL with nearly two touchdowns per game, catching 65 catches for 1,078 yards and breaking an NFL record with 22 touchdowns.

Rice was the best player in the league that season, and it wasn't particularly close, but it was quarterback John Elway who took home the prestigious MVP award.

Elway was also good in 1987, leading the Denver Broncos to an 8-3-1 record while recording 3,198 yards and 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. However, Rice was ridiculously brilliant and should have won the award.