FORMER NFL star J.J. Watt has divided fans after revealing his pick for Most Valuable Player.
The ex-Houston Texans star, 34, discussed the race for this year's MVP on Wednesday's edition of The Pat McAfee Show.
2
2
Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a regular contributor to the ESPN sports debate program.
McAfee asked Watt who was his favorite to win this year's MVP as we approach Week 17 of the NFL season.
Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, Justin Allen, and Tua Tagovailoa are currently favorites in the betting to win this year's award.
And Watt believes that the Baltimore Ravens quarterback Jackson is the man to beat.
READ MORE ON NFL
"The Most Valuable Player is about the world valuable to me," Watt said.
"I do think there should be a best player - it's more fun, you can debate that. Who is the best player, doing what they do best.
"But if we're going with pure value, you have to say pure value, if we took this guy off his team, what does that team look like?
"That's why I say that the quarterback has the most value...if we're going with pure value to their team I think [the MVP] is Lamar Jackson."
Most read in American Football
Fans were quick to respond to Watt's controversial opinion, with one writing on X: "JJ Watt knows ball."
Another added: "JJ speaking facts."
But a third countered: "Lamar is spectacular, but there's no way you can convince me he's been more valuable to his team than Josh Allen this year."
And a fourth agreed: "Josh Allen leads the league in touchdowns and accounts for 83% of his team’s touchdowns. Stop. Lamar has been just good this year. Those aren’t close to MVP numbers."
Jackson has led the Ravens to 12-3 and put in a dominating performance as Baltimore beat the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Day.
The 26-year-old completed 23 of 35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while adding 45 yards on the ground in the 33-19 win.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after the game: "I thought Lamar had an MVP performance.
"It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level - to play at an MVP level - it takes a player to play that way.
"And Lamar was all over the field doing everything."
