Sep 20, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There is no one who understands the importance of the quarterback position more than Tom Brady, which is why you might be surprised to hear who the seven-time Super Bowl believes has been the NFL MVP through 15 weeks of the season.

Christian McCaffrey was a guest on the most recent episode of Brady’s “Let’s Go!” podcast, which was released on Tuesday. During the interview, Brady told McCaffrey that he believes the San Francisco 49ers star has been the NFL MVP this year. Brady said he knew McCaffrey was special when he watched the running play at Stanford.

“He was a dynamic player then. He is a dynamic player now, and I think all of what he’s done this year is a lot what he’s done in the past,” Brady said, as transcribed by Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. “It’s a different team with some different opportunities and they’ve been really dynamic on offense.

“So he is definitely in my mind the MVP favorite and according to his quarterback too, Brock Purdy, who says some amazing things about him.”

McCaffrey is having a monster second season in San Francisco. He has 1,292 rushing yards, 509 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns. As Brady mentioned, even Brock Purdy — who has much better odds to win MVP than McCaffrey — thinks McCaffrey deserves the award.

Of course, McCaffrey said he is much more focused on winning a Super Bowl and other team accomplishments than he is about his standing in the MVP race. Still, an endorsement from the greatest quarterback of all time must feel pretty good.