Who won Super Bowl MVP in 2022? Cooper Kupp edges Rams teammate Aaron Donald in controversial vote

Super Bowl 56 was full of noteworthy, impactful performances — but only one that could result in Super Bowl MVP.

Two players stood out above all others in that race for Super Bowl 56 MVP: Rams receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Both were instrumental to their teams' success in the 23-20 victory. Both had impactful plays in huge moments, including in the final stages of the final game of the season.

Only one could take home some (additional) hardware, though:

MORE: History of Super Bowl MVP award winners

Who won Super Bowl MVP in 2022?

Kupp won his first Super Bowl ring and MVP following his Super Bowl 56 performance against the Bengals. The fifth-year receiver out of Eastern Washington followed up his All-Pro season with one last impressive performance, catching a game-high eight passes for a team-high 92 yards and two touchdowns.

The first was an 11-yard strike that made it 13-3 Rams with 12:51 remaining in the second quarter:

SUPER KUPP.@CooperKupp #RamsHouse

📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/DrajgCmlYf

— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022

The second of his two touchdowns ultimately was the game-winner — a 1-yard touchdown catch that gave Los Angeles a 23-20 lead with 1:25 left in the game.

COOPER KUPP FOR THE LEAD!

📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/vhHjVNRsnC

— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022

MORE: Cooper Kupp stats: Where does Rams receiver's historic season rank in NFL history

Kupp was also instrumental in the Rams' final go-ahead drive: He converted fourth-and-1 at the Rams' 37 with a 7-yard end-around and also caught three passes for 38 yards prior to his game-winning catch. That doesn't include a 4-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone that was nullified by offsetting penalties (holding on the Rams and unnecessary roughness on the Bengals).

"I don’t feel deserving of this … I don’t know what to say.”

— L.A. Rams star Cooper Kupp wins the Super Bowl MVP, the 8th wide receiver to do so pic.twitter.com/PfvXv0S1te

— The Recount (@therecount) February 14, 2022

Indeed, Kupp helped create two drive-extending penalties in the game's fateful moments: defensive holding on Logan Wilson on third-and-goal from the Bengals' 8 and defensive pass interference on cornerback Eli Apple two plays later.

Donald was similarly impactful on the defensive side of the ball, registering four tackles (two for loss), two sacks and three quarterback hits — including the one that forced an incompletion by Joe Burrow on fourth-and-1, sealing the victory for Los Angeles. But Kupp's two touchdowns were too much to overcome in the MVP voting process.

WRs to win Super Bowl MVP

Kupp becomes the EIGHTH wide receiver to win the award. 

The full list includes:

• Lynn Swann (Super Bowl 10)
• Fred Biletnikoff (Super Bowl 11)
• Jerry Rice (Super Bowl 23)
• Deion Branch (Super Bowl 39)
• Hines Ward (Super Bowl 40)
• Santonio Holmes (Super Bowl 43)
• Julian Edelman (Super Bowl 53)
• Cooper Kupp (Super Bowl 56)

MORE: Super Bowl 2022 final score, results: Rams win first Super Bowl since 1999 in comeback win over Bengals

Super Bowl MVP winners