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Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer not an MVP candidate?

By Vijay Singaraju

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after the NFC Championship football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won 49-15. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after the NFC Championship football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won 49-15. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL.com released its 2016 NFL MVP watch list, which did not include Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer.

Cardinals quarterback, Carson Palmer, proved last season that he was one of the best passers in the league. In 2015, Palmer had career highs in passing yards (4671) and passing touchdowns (35) while leading the league in total QBR (82.1). To cap off a great season, Palmer was named the FedEx Air Player of the Year, a Second-team All-Pro and finished tied for second in the MVP race.

Coming off such a great season, many would think Palmer would look to repeat the success he had in 2015 and possible contend for and win the NFL MVP award in 2016. The folks at NFL.com didn’t think so while releasing their 2016 NFL MVP watch list.

On the list are many familiar faces including Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and last season’s winner Cam Newton.

Along with the old were the new. Among them were Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

The biggest surprise on the list was not Palmer’s exclusion. Number one on the list was none other than New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. If you recall, Brady is currently set to serve a 4 game suspension for his alleged involvement in the Deflategate scandal. It seems very unlikely that Brady will be able to make up ground in a heavily contest MVP race.

The only realistic explanation for Palmer not being consider an MVP candidate is his performance in the NFC Championship where he threw for 235 yards and 1 touchdown along with 4 interceptions. It is quite possible some may think that Palmer will let this game weigh him down during the 2016 season.

Palmer is eager to put the NFC Championship game fiasco behind him and will be firing right out of the gate. With an upgraded offensive line, the emergence of running back phenom David Johnson and an established receiving corp, Palmer will continue with where he left off in 2015.

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