Cam Newton makes a bold MVP case for Myles Garrett as quarterback favorites dominate the conversation

The NFL MVP conversation is reaching its loudest point as the final week of the regular season approaches. Most years, the award felt decided before ballots are cast, with certain quarterbacks dominating both the discussion and the voting. This season has followed a similar path, with Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye taking turns as the favorite.

Their performances, wins, and highlight moments have fueled the buzz among fans and voters. Still, former league MVP Cam Newton believes the race is being framed too narrowly. In his view, a player’s value is not only about touchdowns or team records but about how one player can bend an entire game plan without ever touching the ball. Newton is putting his bets on Myles Garrett for the prestige title.

Why Cam Newton believes defensive dominance still defines true value

Appearing on First Take, Newton made it clear that Myles Garrett’s impact goes far beyond the box score. He said, “You don't see people game-planning Drake Maye, respectfully, not even Matthew Stafford as much as they game-plan against Myles Garrett…If we're talking about most valuable player, (Garrett) has shown that he is the most valuable player.”


Garrett’s numbers back up Newton’s solid argument. The Browns star has piled up 22 sacks and sits just half a sack away from tying the single-season record shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. At age 30, and on a massive $160 million contract, Garrett is delivering elite production while anchoring a defense that keeps Cleveland competitive every week.

Newton also drew a historical parallel to reinforce his case, saying, “Who does Myles Garrett remind us of? (New York Giants legend) Lawrence Taylor. Taylor won the MVP in 1986 with 20.5 sacks.” Still, the reality of modern MVP voting favors quarterbacks. Stafford briefly held the inside track, but Drake Maye’s five-touchdown performance against the Jets shifted momentum.

The Patriots sit at 13-3, have secured the AFC East, and Maye now leads betting odds at minus 400, giving him an estimated 80 percent chance to win the award. Even if Garrett falls short in MVP voting, his season remains historic.

Also read: Cam Newton says he gets “no Brady deal” while discussing racial pay gaps in NFL media