ESPN Analyst Claims Indianapolis Colts’ QB Andrew Luck Will Win 2016 MVP

Max Kellerman is an analyst on ESPN First Take and has been known to make some waves early on in his career replacing Skip Bayless. The show, as a whole, is meant to ruffle people’s feathers and get viewers in by causing debates and forming strong opinions on trending topics and players.

During the September 7 episode of ESPN First Take, Kellerman made yet another stunning bold prediction.

Kellerman went so far as to claim that Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck will win the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player Award. That is a bold prediction, to say the least, as Luck is one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks coming into the 2016 season. He missed most of the 2015 season due to injury and has yet to show that he can put up big numbers without throwing interceptions.

Go ahead and watch the clip of Kellerman predicting Luck as the MVP for the 2016 season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgEr7G53Wfk

Last season with the Colts, Luck ended up completing 55.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also picked up 196 yards on the ground, although he didn’t score a touchdown.

After Stephen A. Smith got done explaining Luck’s turnover issues, Kellerman popped in with his bold prediction. He stated that Luck, “has already played at an MVP level,” and that this year will be the year that Luck finally realizes his full potential.

Kellerman went off on a rant about Colts’ management and how they have not done their part to protect Luck. He showed how Luck has been successful since taking over for Peyton Manning and that Luck’s turnovers have largely been due to the lack of offensive line that he has had throughout his career with the Colts.

At 26-years-old, Luck still has a lot of potential left to work his way into. He has started off his NFL career with impressive success, leading his team to three division titles in as many years to start his career before injuries derailed him last year. Luck led his team to the AFC Championship Game just two years ago before being blown out of the playoffs by the New England Patriots.

Smith certainly doesn’t believe that Luck will win the MVP award this season. He mentioned that Luck has committed 69 turnovers in 55 career games, which is a concerning number in and of itself.

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, there are a lot of other players that should be looked at as MVP candidates long before Luck comes up in the conversation. Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton are two quarterbacks that should be listed higher than Luck on the MVP odds list.

According to SportsLine, Luck does have the sixth-highest odds to come away with the 2016 MVP.

It will be interesting to see what Luck and the Colts are capable of this season. Improvement should be expected and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them compete for a Super Bowl appearance in the AFC. If he can lead his team to at least 12 wins, Luck will have a shot at winning the MVP award.

Kellerman is making a bold prediction, but he obviously firmly believes in the young quarterback. Jim Irsay and the Colts’ organization also believes in their franchise quarterback, giving him a six-year, $140 million contract after such a disappointing season. Perhaps Kellerman isn’t too far off on his prediction.

All of that being said, all of the pressure is on Luck’s shoulders. He has a lot of pressure to perform and we will see what he is truly made of this season.

Do you think Andrew Luck will win the 2016 NFL MVP award? If not, who do you think will end up winning the award? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by R Brent Smith/AP Images]