There have been many fantastic individual single seasons put up by NFL players since the year 2000. Although quarterbacks and running backs have often put up the most prolific production, over the past 25 years several wide receivers and defensive playmakers also have had monster campaigns.
When narrowing that list down to the ultimate top 25, there were 19 teams worthy of representation for a standout supertstar and only one all-time great to make the cut twice. There are were many factors Sporting News considered for this compilation, including team impact, league record performance and awards earned — from MVPs and DPOYs to conference championships and Super Bowl rings.
From one future Hall of Fame big-armed passer to another, here's counting down the greatest of the great from the past century:
Ranking NFL's top 25 individual seasons since 2000
25. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (2018)
Mahomes stats: 5,097 passing yards, 50 passing TDs, 8.8 yards per attempt, 12 INTs, 113.8 passer rating
Mahomes developed his legend as a future three-time Super Bowl champion in his first full season as a starter, replacing Alex Smith as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Mahomes blew the league away with his arm, improvisation and imagination in his breakout season. He's headed to challenging Tom Brady as the GOAT QB.
MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years
24. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers (2023)
McCaffrey's 2023 stats: 1,459 rushing yards, 21 total TDs, 5.4 yards per attempt, 126.4 scrimmage yards per game, 67 catches, 564 yards, 2,023 scrimmage yards
McCaffrey also had an epic season with the Panthers in 2019 with his still career-high 2,392 yards, when he surpassed both 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. But his first full season in San Francisco had greater impact, proving he can be a run-first workhorse on top of his dynamic pass-catching and prolific scoring. Just as important, his work helped carry the 49ers offense to Super Bowl 58 vs. Mahomes' Chiefs.
23. Devin Hester, PR/KR, Bears (2006)
Hester's 2006 stats: 6 total return TDs, 3 on punts, 2 on kickoffs, 1 on missed field-goal attempt
Hester's rookie season as a second-round pick (No. 57 overall) in '06 set the tone for his Hall of Fame career as the most dangerous return man the NFL has seen in the modern era. He was a potential touchdown every time he touched the ball in any capacity with his speed and open-field quickness. Remarkably, Hester matched the 6 return TDs in '07, setting up his fast track to Canton.
22. Jared Allen, EDGE, Vikings (2011)
Allen's 2011 stats: 22 sacks, 66 tackles (48 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, INT, 3 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries
For Allen to put up this season for a 3-13 Vikings team was incredible. Although Minnesota's lack of overall success cost Allen winning Defensive Player of the Year over the Ravens' Terrell Suggs, he deserves the mention here for an all-time dominant pass-rushing season, one that ensured he would also get to the Hall of Fame.
21. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers (2021)
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Watt's 2021 stats: 22.5 sacks, 64 tackles (48 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 39 QB hits, 7 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles
Sterling Sharpe and Shannon Sharpe are for now the only set of brothers enshrined together in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but they will have company from J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt. T.J. had been in the shadow of J.J's tour de force with the Texans, but then he separated himself with this season, which tied Michael Strahan's official single-season sack record set 20 years earlier.
20. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots (2007)
Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-Imagn Images
Moss' 2007 stats: 98 catches, 1,493 receiving yards, 23 receiving TDs, 15.2 yards per reception
Moss helped Tom Brady become the first QB to hit 50 touchdown passes in a season by catching almost half of them, a total that remains an NFL record. Moss had a ton of big years on his way to the Hall of Fame with multiple teams, but this team-up with Brady was legendary, leading to (then) the highest-scoring offense in league history.
19. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals (2024)
Chase's 2024 stats: 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards, 17 receiving TDs, 13.4 yards per reception
Only 17 times has a wide receiver won the NFL's "triple crown", leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. The club has only 13 members. Chase is only one of three wideouts to accomplish the feat since Sterling Sharpe in 1992. With his troika, Chase tied Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch for most TDs (17) and is second only behind Cooper Kupp in catches and yards.
18. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos (2013)
Manning's 2013 stats: 5,477 passing yards, 55 passing TDs, 8.3 yards per attempt, 10 INTs, 115.1 passer rating
Manning set the record for passing yards and passing TDs in his second season in Denver. In terms of efficiency, his Indianapolis-best 2004 season seems better to make the list, but it's difficult to ignore the key all-time marks and the fact he also led the Broncos to Super Bowl 48 against the Seahawks. The Broncos also set another NFL record with 606 points scored, good for an average of 37.9 points per game.
17. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons (2016)
Ryan's 2016 stats: 4,944 passing yards, 38 passing TDs, 9.3 yards per attempt, 7 INTs, 117.1 passer rating
Had the Patriots not come back to beat Ryan's Falcons in overtime after falling behind 28-3 in Super Bowl 51, his incredible regular season would get a lot more attention. Operating under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Ryan was a highly efficient downfield passer and carried Atlanta to an NFC championship. Although Ryan did have future Hall of Famer Julio Jones as his go-to guy, he lifted what was otherwise a mixed bag of receivers, backs and tight ends.
16. Charles Woodson, CB, Packers (2009)
Woodson' 2009 stats: 74 tackles (66 solo), 2 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions, 179 INT return yards, 3 INT return TDs, 18 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles
Woodson won Defensive Player of the Year for Green Bay, which went 11-5 and earned an NFC wild-card berth. His dazzling stat-stuffing performance stamped him as an all-time all-around playmaker, thriving in Dom Capers defense. Woodson is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, DPOY and a Super Bowl, which came one season later in 2010.
15. Ed Reed, S, Ravens (2004)
Reed's 2004 stats: 78 total tackles (64 solo), 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions, 358 INT return yards, INT TD, 17 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, fumble return TD
Reed had his best season as a Hall of Fame defensive back, winning Defensive Player of the Year with his prolific big-play takeaway ability. He was a consistent matchup nightmare for quarterbacks wary of how he could change a game with any mistake made in his direction. Go figure this dominance this happened in non-playoff season.
14. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (2007)
Brady's 2007 stats: 4,896 passing yards, 50 passing TDs, 8.7 yards per attempt, 8 INTs, 117.2 passer rating
When Brady had his incredible season, there were questions about any other QB being able to reach this level of play. He led the Patriots to an undefeated regular season and at the time, the highest-scoring season. He delivered two more wins in playoffs before they were shocked by the Giants' upset victory in Super Bowl 42.
MORE: Ranking the 18 greatest Patriots players ever, from Mike Vrabel to Tom Brady
13. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions (2012)
Johnson's 2012 stats: 122 catches, 1,964 receiving yards, 5 receiving TDs, 16.1 yards per reception
No receiver has reached 2,000 receiving yards in a season. Johnson came the closest with these numbers. He would have scored a lot more had the Lions not been one of the league's worst teams at 4-12. Megatron was terrific throughout his nine-season NFL career with easy Hall of Fame-caliber dominance.
12. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (2005)
Alexander's 2005 stats: 1,880 rushing yards, 28 total TDs, 5.1 yards per attempt, 117.5 rushing yards per game, 15 catches, 78 yards, 1,958 scrimmage yards
Alexander ran way with league MVP in his most explosive season with Seattle. The former Alabama star, the No. 10 overall pick in 2000, was in his 28-year-old prime when he rolled to monster numbers in Mike Holmgren's offense. Alexander helped the Seahawks win the NFC championship and earn a trip to Super Bowl 40 vs. the Steelers.
11. Derrick Brooks, LB, Buccaneers (2002)
Brooks' 2002 stats: 118 combined tackles (88 solo), 7 tackles for loss, sack, 5 interceptions, 218 INT return yards, 3 INT return TDs, fumble return TD, 11 passes defended
Brooks is high on this list for his spectacular Defensive Player of the Year campaign. The Hall of Famer is the only linebacker on this list for his great season as a rangy superstar in Monte Kiffin's scheme. Despite the defense being loaded with stars, including Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Ronde Barber, Brooks was the leading playmaker all the way through the team winning Super Bowl 37 over the Raiders.
10. J.J. Watt, DT, Texans (2012)
Watt's 2012 stats: 20.5 sacks, 39 tackles for loss, 42 QB hits, 81 combined tackles (69 solo), 16 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles
Where there's one Watt, there's another as a modern pass-rushing great. Watt hinted that he could be great as a rookie No. 11 pick out of Wisconsin in 2011. He exploded to his typical cerebral and high-energy disruption in his second season, wreaking havoc on quarterbacks with pressure and getting into their shorter passing lanes. He was unblockable in his prime and such a clutch nose for blowing up plays.
MORE: NFL brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
9. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans (2009)
Johnson's 2009 stats: 2,006 rushing yards, 16 total TDs, 5.6 yards per attempt, 125.4 rushing yards per game, 50 catches, 503 yards, 2,509 scrimmage yards
Johnson didn't win MVP for this performance (losing to Peyton Manning) but should have. He still holds the record for most scrimmage yards in an NFL season. Johnson is one of the speediest workhorses to ever play the game. Johnson, a first-rounder out of East Carolina in 2008, had an all-time second year, earning him Offensive Player of the Year.
8. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (2019)
Jackson's 2019 stats: 3,127 passing yards, 36 passing TDs, 7.8 yards per attempt, 6 INTs, 113.3 passer rating, 1,209 rushing yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 7 rushing TDs
There is s strong case Jackson was his best as a passer in his non-MVP season of 2024. He also was great in his second MVP season of 2023. But overall, his first MVP season was the best, because of balancing incredible overall efficiency passing with rushing production that would put several running backs to shame. This was the season in which arrived as the league's most dangerous dual threat.
7. Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles (2024)
Barkley's 2024 stats: 2,005 rushing yards, 15 total TDs, 5.8 yards per attempt, 125.3 rushing yards per game, 33 catches, 278 yards, 2,283 scrimmage yards
Barkley was the latest and ninth member to join the 2K club. joining Johnson and a host of other greats. He could have broken Eric Dickerson's single-season mark of 2,105 set 40 years earlier in 1984, but he rested in Week 18. Barkley continue to see a big workload through the playoffs, celebrating his birthday with the Eagles' 40-22 rout of the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.
6. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers (2006)
Tomlinson's 2006 stats: 1,815 rushing yards, 31 total TDs, 5.2 yards per attempt, 113.4 rushing yards per game, 56 catches, 508 yards, 2,370 scrimmage yards, 2 passing TDs.
Tomlinson holds the record for most total touchdowns scored in an NFL season. The Hall of Famer and can't-miss No. 5 overall pick out of TCU in the 2001 draft took over games with his burst as a runner and receiver. He put icing on this multi-layer cake by also showing his prowess as a red zone QB. Tomlinson led the Chargers to a 14-2 season before they lost to Tom Brady's Patriots in the AFC divisional playoffs.
5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams (2021)
Kupp's 2021 stats: 145 catches, 1,947 receiving yards, 16 receiving TDs, 13.4 yards per reception
Kupp is responsible for the best individual season ever put up by an NFL wide receiver in in any era. He became the 12th player to win the receiving Triple Crown with the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. His catches are only four behind Michael Thomas' single-season mark. His yards were 17 short of tying Calvin Johnson's record. He capped everything off by coming down with the game-winning score in Super Bowl 56 vs. the Bengals.
4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings (2012)
Peterson's 2012 stats: 2,097 rushing yards, 13 total TDs, 6.0 yards per attempt, 131.1 rushing yards per game, 40 catches, 217 yards, 2,314 scrimmage yards
Peterson won MVP for his best season, carrying Minnesota to a 10-6 record and an NFC wild-card playoff berth. Peterson was powering through fronts and blowing up for big plays every week behind a solid line. He had 7 games with 150-yard plus rushing yards and fell one yard short of having three 200-yard plus efforts. The limitations of the Vikings' overall offense stopped him more than opponents.
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers (2011)
Rodgers' 2011 stats: 4,643 passing yards, 45 passing TDs, 9.2 yards per attempt, 6 INTs, 122.5 passer rating
Rodgers was coming off winning Super Bowl 45 MVP after the 2010 season with everyone thinking he was in line for multiple rings for Green Bay. Although the Packers' 15-1 season ended in disappointment in a home divisional playoff loss to the Giants, that didn't take away Rodgers' second-best season. His downfield execution combined with red zone efficiency put his complete physical arm talent on display. Only he could top this season for a QB since 2000.
2. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams (2018)
Donald's 2018 stats: 20.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 59 combined tackles (41 solo), 4 forced fumbles, 41 QB hits
Donald, J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor are the only three players to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times during their careers. Donald also won DPOY in 2017 and 2020, but this sandwich award-winning season was his overall best during his destructive decade in the league. Donald led the league in sacks and was menace smacking around quarterbacks. He wasn't slowed often, despite offensive lines knowing exactly who was coming at them.
1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers (2020)
Rodgers 2020 stats: 4,299 passing yards, 48 passing TDs, 5 INTs, 8.2 yards per attempt, 70.7 completion percentage, 121.5 passer rating
Before Rodgers' fall from favor in Green Bay, tumultuous time in New York and his presumed finale in Pittsburgh, he provided his brilliant signature on his four MVP seasons. Although Rodgers won that award again in 2021, his work in '20 at age 37 was the rarest blend of accuracy and efficiency. His pinpoint passing with few mistakes was off the charts. The lack of getting a second ring doesn't take away how all-time great Rodgers was when at his best.