It has been 14 years since Shaun Alexander was named the NFL’s MVP after a stunning 1,958-yard, 28-touchdown season. In the 14 years since 2005, the Seattle Seahawks’ fortunes and the fortunes of the running back position have gone opposite directions.
The Seahawks rode the highs of the Mike Holmgren-era into the following decade and continued to operate as a premier NFL franchise under Pete Carroll.
The running back position, meanwhile, has perhaps never been valued so lowly: Since Alexander, only LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson have joined him as tailback MVPs. As of the 2019 season, Alexander remains the last running back to have led the league in rushing in the same season his team made the Super Bowl.