Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady has unequivocally voiced his choice for the NFL MVP, endorsing San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who recently joined Brady's "Let's Go!" podcast.
"I remember the first time I actually got a glimpse of Christian was in the Rose Bowl," Brady said, per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. "He caught an angle pass against Iowa and ran for about a 75-yard touchdown. I was like, 'Well, they're not gonna catch him!'"
Brady remains equally impressed by McCaffrey today, asserting that the running back is "definitely" the MVP favorite in his mind.
"He was a dynamic player then," Brady continued. "He is a dynamic player now, and I think all of what he's done this year is a lot what he's done in the past. It's a different team with some different opportunities, and they've been really dynamic on offense."
In a conversation with McCaffrey, Brady inquired about what winning the coveted NFL award might mean to him. The running back admits that he is more concerned with the 49ers' continued success and winning a Super Bowl, but he appreciates the endorsement from an NFL great.
"Well, I appreciate you saying that, man," McCaffrey told Brady. "That means a lot. I don't get into all the award stuff, but to your point, I just think even being in the conversation is an honor."
Three MVP candidates will be on the field at Levi's Stadium on Christmas night. McCaffrey and the betting favorite, Brock Purdy, will be joined by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who owns the second-best odds.
If it were up to McCaffrey, it would be one of his teammates going home with the MVP award.
"Yeah, if I had my vote, it'd be Brock as the MVP, and [T] Trent [Williams] would be the second in line," McCaffrey asserted.
McCaffrey even attempted to sway Brady's perspective, advocating for Purdy, saying, "He's been unbelievable for this team, and I hate when I hear people say anything negative, 'Oh, he's just a system quarterback.' Everyone's a system quarterback. That's part of what being a quarterback is, in my eyes.
"I mean, I don't know much about the position. I try to stay in my lane and just try to get open and block and do all the other things. But I mean, when you play within a system, that's about all you can ask for. And then occasionally, you make the plays outside of the Xs and Os, and that's all he's done all year. So he gets my vote."