"Cooper DeJean shook his head, grinned and exhaled as he considered the question. "What would it take for a defensive player to win Super Bowl MVP?" "It'd take a lot," the second-year Philadelphia Eagles safety said after Sunday's Pro Bowl practice. "A lot -- probably take a touchdown and a lot of tackles to win Super Bowl MVP. Maybe more than one interception, too. I guess if you're a defensive lineman, a lot of sacks. It'd be tough.""
"Posed the same question, New York Giants defensive end and fellow Pro Bowler Brian Burns chuckled. "Oooh boy, it takes a huge game from a defensive player to win that," he said, pointing to linebacker Will Anderson Jr.'s performance (three sacks, two forced fumbles) in the Houston Texans' divisional-round loss to the New England Patriots as an example of what it would require."
"Defense might win championships, but offensive players -- most often quarterbacks -- win Super Bowl MVP awards. Denver Broncos edge rusher Von Miller was the last defensive player to earn the honor, securing it with 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, one tipped pass and six total tackles as the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016."
Winning Super Bowl MVP as a defensive player requires multiple game-changing plays such as touchdowns, turnovers, multiple sacks, or multiple interceptions. Defensive MVPs have been rare across Super Bowl history, with only nine defensive players and one special teamer earning the honor in 59 games. Von Miller is the most recent defensive MVP, achieving the award in Super Bowl 50 with sacks, quarterback hits, forced fumbles, a tipped pass and six tackles. Exceptional single-game defensive performances, including multiple sacks and forced turnovers, represent the type of impact needed to sway MVP voting.
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