5 NFL MVPs that didn't make it to the Hall of Fame after retirement

Wild Card Round - Detroit Lions v Seattle Seahawks
Wild Card Round - Detroit Lions v Seattle Seahawks

3 other NFL MVPs that never made it into the Hall of Fame

Which NFL MVP is most deserving?

#3 - Rich Gannon

Even though Rich Gannon had quite an NFL MVP season for the Las Vegas Raiders, he has yet to make it into the Hall of Fame. Gannon's MVP season saw the quarterback log an astounding 4,689 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a passer rating of (97.3).

These numbers were achieved in 2002, and Gannon was 37 years old at the time in which he nabbed MVP honors. But Gannon has been a backup quarterback for most of his career, and the league hasn't exactly wanted to usher him into the Hall of Fame ranks.

Despite achieving four Pro Bowl selections since turning 32 years old, and finishing with 28,743 passing yards and 180 TDs in 17 seasons, Gannon is still on the outside looking in of the Hall of Fame.

#2 - Boomer Esiason

Boomer Esiason's MVP season was in 1988. It was the best season of his career, as he led the league in yards per attempt (9.2), fourth-quarter comebacks (3), and a passer rating (97.4).

He also threw for 3,572 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Esiason helped the Cincinnati Bengals achieve a 12-4 record and a trip to the Super Bowl. That was the last time Esiason got his team to the playoffs and a big reason why he hasn't made it into the Hall of Fame.

His 80-93 overall record and three playoff trips just aren't enough to allow him to make it past the final votes for the Hall of Fame.

#1 - Joe Theismann

Joe Theismann's 1983 MVP season was a work of art. He helped the Washington Redskins achieve a 14-2 record and a trip to the Super Bowl a year after the team won the championship.

Theismann's MVP season saw him completing 60.1% of his passes, throwing for 3,914 yards, netting 29 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, for a career-high 97.0 passer rating. He also led the league in four game-winning drives.

However, Theismann broke his leg in 1985, which led to him having to retire. He was one of the only starting QBs at the time to achieve a Super Bowl championship and league MVP honors.

He is one of the only quarterbacks in history to have either of these designations without getting into the Hall of Fame.

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