Super Bowl 60 has delivered a defensive showdown for the ages, with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks locked in a bruising battle that has left offensive fireworks in short supply. As of midway through the third quarter on February 9, 2026, it’s the Seahawks holding a 12-0 lead, and the scoreboard tells a fascinating story: every single point has come courtesy of Seattle’s kicker, Jason Myers. Four field goals—struck with the kind of poise and consistency that coaches dream of—have not only kept the Patriots at bay but also thrust Myers into the national spotlight as a legitimate candidate for Super Bowl MVP. Could history be made tonight?
Let’s set the scene. Both teams arrived at Super Bowl LX boasting defenses that had carried them through the playoffs, and that trend has absolutely held in the biggest game of the year. From the opening whistle, neither offense could find its rhythm. The Patriots, led by a quarterback who’s usually so reliable under pressure, have struggled to advance the ball against Seattle’s swarming secondary. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ own passing attack has been stymied by New England’s disciplined coverage and relentless pass rush. In a game where every yard has been earned the hard way, field position and special teams have become the difference-makers.
Enter Jason Myers. The Seahawks’ kicker has been nothing short of clutch, nailing field goals from 33, 39, and two from 41 yards out. His performance ties a Super Bowl record for most field goals in a single game, joining the likes of Don Chandler, Ray Wersching, Harrison Butker, and Jake Elliott. If Myers manages to split the uprights once more, he’ll stand alone atop the record books. But even now, with four successful kicks, he’s already etched his name into Super Bowl lore.
"Field goals have many times decided who wins the Super Bowl. But has it ever been recognized as the biggest reason for winning?" That’s the question on everyone’s mind as the action unfolds. According to Sports Illustrated and USA TODAY, the answer—at least so far—is no. Not a single kicker has ever walked away with the Super Bowl MVP award. The closest a special teams player has come was Desmond Howard at Super Bowl 31, who electrified the field with 244 all-purpose yards and a game-changing 99-yard kick return touchdown for the Green Bay Packers. Howard’s feat was so extraordinary that it overcame the MVP bias toward offensive stars, but even then, it was a return man—not a placekicker—who took home the hardware.
The MVP award has always been a quarterback’s playground. Out of the first 59 Super Bowls, 34 MVP trophies have gone to quarterbacks. Wide receivers have claimed the honor eight times, running backs or fullbacks seven times, linebackers four, defensive linemen three, safeties twice, and cornerbacks and kick returners just once each. Defensive players have occasionally broken through, with names like Chuck Howley, Ray Lewis, and Malcolm Smith earning recognition for game-changing plays. But the kicker? Never. Not even Adam Vinatieri, whose two game-winning field goals sealed titles for the Patriots; in both cases, Tom Brady was named MVP. In Super Bowl 53, Patriots punter Ryan Allen had an outside shot at the award after pinning the Rams deep on multiple occasions, but Julian Edelman’s 10 catches for 141 yards proved too much for voters to ignore.
So why is it so tough for a kicker to win? Determining value is tricky, especially in a game dominated by highlight-reel passes and bruising runs. The narrative often favors those who touch the ball most or deliver a single, unforgettable moment. Yet, in Super Bowl 60, Myers’ steady foot has been the only source of points in a contest where every possession counts. His reliability under pressure has provided a crucial psychological edge for the Seahawks, allowing their defense to play with confidence and forcing the Patriots to chase the game.
It’s worth noting that Myers isn’t the only Seahawk making a case for MVP. Running back Kenneth Walker has been a workhorse, racking up 94 yards on the ground at an impressive 6.7 yards per carry in the first half alone. Without Walker’s ability to chew up clock and move the chains, some of Myers’ field goal opportunities might never have materialized. In the eyes of some voters, that could tip the scales away from the kicker and toward the running back—especially if Walker finds the end zone or breaks a big play in the game’s closing stages.
Still, the rarity of Myers’ feat is impossible to ignore. As the only player to have scored in the game so far, he’s single-handedly given Seattle a cushion and kept the Patriots reeling. If he manages to break the Super Bowl record for field goals in a game, his case for MVP becomes even more compelling. "Myers is one field goal away from breaking the Super Bowl record and that could very well put him over the top," notes one NFL analyst. The historical significance of such a performance—on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights—would be hard for voters to overlook.
Of course, there’s precedent in the regular season for a kicker winning league MVP. Mark Moseley of Washington accomplished the feat in the strike-shortened 1982 season, making 20 of 21 field goal attempts and 16 of 19 extra points in just nine games. While many felt quarterback Dan Fouts deserved the award, Moseley’s consistency in tight contests earned him a place in NFL history. Could Myers follow in those footsteps, but on the grandest stage of all?
As the game continues, the question lingers: will the voters break with tradition and reward the player whose contributions, though less flashy, have been absolutely vital? Or will the MVP award once again go to a quarterback, running back, or defensive star who seizes a late opportunity? With the Patriots still fighting and the Seahawks relying on Myers’ golden foot, the answer remains uncertain—but one thing’s for sure: Jason Myers has already made his mark on Super Bowl 60.
With history on the line and every point precious, all eyes remain glued to the action. If Myers does the unthinkable and claims MVP honors, he’ll become the first kicker ever to do so—a fitting capstone to a truly unconventional Super Bowl.