Top 10 legends who never won NFL MVP feat. Jerry Rice and Drew Brees 

The NFL has recognized the league's top player with the Associated Press MVP Award since 1957. Although some deserving players have previously received the honor, there have also been numerous instances in which worthy players did not.

Many superstars have been left without an MVP award over their careers as a result, yet this hasn't stopped the majority of them from being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Here's a closer look at the top 10 players who, surprisingly, never received an MVP award during their careers.

Top 10 NFL players to never win MVP

#10. WR Julio Jones - Atlanta Falcons/Tennessee Titans/Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Philadelphia Eagles

Julio Jones of the Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Getty

Julio Jones topped the league in receptions two times after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He also played a key role in quarterback Matt Ryan's only MVP success in 2016. During that season, Jones caught 136 passes for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jones accumulated the most yards of any player during the following three seasons, totaling 4,515. It's safe to assume that Jones' peak was on par with any wide receiver in this era, and it's odd that he didn't win an MVP award.

#9. WR Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals

Former Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald - Source: Imagn

Larry Fitzgerald was selected for the Pro Bowl 11 times in his 17-year NFL career, second-most in history for wide receivers, behind only Jerry Rice's 13.

In terms of both individual and team performance, the 2008 season was a significant one for Fitzgerald, and if there was ever a season in which he might have been named MVP, it was that one. During that season, he recorded more than 100 yards in seven outings, including two that exceeded 150 yards. He also grabbed a pair of touchdowns in three different contests.

#8. QB Troy Aikman - Dallas Cowboys

NFL: Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman - Source: Imagn

The 1992 season, when Troy Aikman passed for almost 3,500 yards and 23 touchdowns, was the one in which he should have been named MVP. But quarterback Steve Young won the prize that year.

Aikman will always be regarded as one of the best Dallas Cowboys players in history, even though he was never named MVP. He led the team to three Super Bowl championships and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

#7. QB Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger - Source: Imagn

Ben Roethlisberger, selected 11th overall in the 2004 NFL draft, earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in his first year in the league after going 13-0 in the regular season as a starter.

Big Ben's successful rookie season laid the groundwork for a productive career as the Steelers' franchise quarterback. He led Pittsburgh to three Super Bowl trips, winning two of them, and posted winning records in all but one of his 17 seasons played. However, he did not win an MVP award.

#6. WR Randy Moss - Minnesota Vikings/Oakland Raiders/New England Patriots/Tennessee Titans/San Francisco 49ers

NFL: Randy Moss on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set - Source: Imagn

Randy Moss wasn't ever named MVP despite being regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. His teammate Tom Brady earned MVP in 2007 after passing for 50 touchdowns, even though the star wideout broke the record for receiving touchdowns that year, with 23.

Moss had multiple seasons that were deserving of being named NFL MVP in his career, but that 2007 campaign deserved to have been it for him.

#5. QB Jim Kelly - Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills - Source: Getty

The Buffalo Bills dominated the AFC in the early 1990s thanks in large part to Jim Kelly, who guided the team to four straight Super Bowls between 1990 and 1993. However, the team lost each of those games.

Kelly was outstanding during the regular season as well; in 1991, he led the NFL in touchdowns with 33. Despite being selected as a first-team All-Pro at quarterback that season—a distinction that sometimes results in an MVP award—Kelly did not receive that honor.

#4. QB Warren Moon - Houston Oilers/Minnesota Vikings/Seattle Seahawks/Kansas City Chiefs

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon - Source: Imagn

In 2006, Warren Moon became the first African-American quarterback to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He must have enjoyed a few MVP-caliber campaigns during his career, then.

In the 1990 season, Moon led the league in passing completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns, giving him a chance to earn MVP. However, Joe Montana won the award that year even though he was unable to surpass 4,000 yards.

In addition, Moon left the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) as the team's leader in passing completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and pass attempts.

#3. QB Randall Cunningham - Philadelphia Eagles/Minnesota Vikings/Dallas Cowboys/Baltimore Ravens

Former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham - Source: Getty

Although Randall Cunningham finished second in the vote three times, he never won any MVP honors to show for being one of the earliest dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

Cunningham tied the record for most consecutive second-place finishes in 1992 when he lost to Steve Young in the MVP voting.

#2. QB Drew Brees - San Diego Chargers/New Orleans Saints

NFL: Retired New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees - Source: Imagn

It's perhaps the most surprising that Drew Brees never won an MVP award. The standout quarterback never took home the NFL's most coveted individual honor, even though he led the league in passing yards on seven occasions, was selected to five All-Pro teams, and won the Offensive Player of the Year award twice.

Brees had his best shot to win MVP in 2011 with 5,476 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, but QB Aaron Rodgers won the award that year with 45 touchdowns to six interceptions.

#1. Jerry Rice - San Francisco 49ers/Oakland Raiders/Seattle Seahawks

NFL: San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice - Source: Imagn

Jerry Rice never won the AP MVP award, despite winning the Pro Football Writers Association MVP award in 1987. Also, he's arguably the best player to never win the AP NFL MVP award.

Rice's 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards, and 197 touchdowns rank him first among all NFL receivers. Notably, Rice never received an NFL MVP award, but he assisted his quarterbacks in winning five. With him, Rich Gannon won in 2002, Steve Young won in 1992 and 1994, and Joe Montana won in 1989 and 1990.

Which player from this list do you think most deserved to win an MVP award? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.