NFL MVP Race Features Stafford Maye Allen Lawrence McCaffrey

The NFL MVP race is heating up as the league prepares to crown its best and brightest at the upcoming NFL Honors ceremony on February 5, 2026. This year’s shortlist is a who’s-who of football excellence, with quarterbacks and one electrifying running back vying for the top individual honor in American sports. The Associated Press has named five standouts as finalists for the 2025 NFL MVP award: Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.

No matter who walks away with the hardware, this year’s MVP race has been a showcase of both individual brilliance and team leadership. But let’s break down what’s made each finalist’s campaign so captivating—and why the debate is more heated than ever.

Matthew Stafford, at 37 and in his 17th NFL season, led the league in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46), throwing just eight interceptions. Stafford’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning him his first First-Team All-Pro nod and the Pro Football Writers of America’s NFL MVP award. The Rams’ offense was a juggernaut, and Stafford’s arm was at the heart of it all. Week in and week out, he delivered, even against some of the league’s toughest defenses. The Rams’ playoff push owed much to his consistency and poise under pressure. For Stafford, this season felt like a career renaissance—a testament to his durability and football IQ.

But Stafford’s not the only quarterback lighting up the stat sheet. Drake Maye, the New England Patriots’ young gun, is considered the frontrunner in many circles. Maye threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, leading the Patriots to an AFC East title and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. Even more impressive, he topped the NFL in both passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72%). According to reports, “Maye’s team finished with the better record against a weaker schedule,” but his efficiency and command of the Patriots’ offense have won over voters and fans alike. Maye’s rapid ascent to the league’s elite is turning heads—and sparking debates in sports bars and on social media feeds across the country.

Josh Allen, the Firebaugh native and reigning MVP, continues to build his legacy. For the fifth time in his career, Allen is an MVP finalist after another stellar season. He threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, posting a 102.2 passer rating. Allen’s dual-threat ability was on full display as he ran for 14 touchdowns—an impressive feat for any quarterback. He led the Buffalo Bills to their seventh straight playoff appearance, a mark of sustained excellence. However, the Bills’ journey ended in the divisional round with a loss to the Denver Broncos, leading to the firing of coach Sean McDermott. Still, Allen’s leadership and playmaking kept Buffalo in the thick of the playoff hunt. “Allen, the reigning MVP, threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, posting a 102.2 passer rating while leading Buffalo to its seventh straight playoff appearance. He also ran for 14 TDs,” as reported by the Associated Press.

Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ signal-caller, made a strong case of his own. Lawrence threw for 4,007 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, steering the Jaguars to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title. His ability to elevate the Jaguars—once a struggling franchise—into playoff contenders has not gone unnoticed. Jacksonville’s season ended in the wild-card round at the hands of Buffalo, but Lawrence’s poise and growth were evident all season long. His 13 wins marked a dramatic turnaround for the franchise, and his 29 touchdown passes ranked among the league’s best. “Lawrence helped Jacksonville win 13 games and the AFC South title,” ESPN noted, underscoring the young quarterback’s impact.

Then there’s Christian McCaffrey, the lone non-quarterback among the finalists—and what a season he had. McCaffrey became only the second player ever to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards in the same year. He ran for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns, and caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven more scores. Despite a rash of injuries to key 49ers players, McCaffrey’s all-purpose brilliance kept San Francisco’s offense humming, helping them to 12 wins. His versatility and durability made him indispensable, and his knack for big plays was on full display week after week. As an All-Pro and a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, McCaffrey’s 2025 campaign will be remembered as one of the best by a running back in recent memory.

The MVP race isn’t the only headline heading into NFL Honors. Finalists for Coach of the Year include Mike Vrabel (Patriots), Ben Johnson (Bears), Liam Coen (Jaguars), Mike Macdonald (Seahawks), and Kyle Shanahan (49ers). Vrabel, in particular, turned the Patriots from “worst to first” in his debut season—a remarkable 10-win turnaround. The coaching carousel, too, has its share of drama, with the Bills parting ways with Sean McDermott and several coordinators up for Assistant Coach of the Year honors.

Meanwhile, the MVP debate itself has taken on a life of its own. Stafford’s gaudy numbers, Maye’s efficiency and winning, Allen’s dual-threat dynamism, Lawrence’s leadership, and McCaffrey’s all-around excellence—each presents a compelling case. Some argue Stafford’s production against a tougher schedule gives him the edge, while others point to Maye’s league-best efficiency and division title. The running back bias is real, but McCaffrey’s season is tough to ignore. And Allen’s consistency as a finalist, plus his running ability, keeps him in the conversation.

Voters—a nationwide panel of 50 media members—completed their ballots before the playoffs began, so postseason heroics or heartbreak won’t sway the outcome. The suspense remains high, with fans and analysts speculating on every stat and storyline. The winner will be revealed at the NFL Honors ceremony, broadcast live on NBC and NFL Network at 9 p.m. on February 5, 2026.

With so many deserving candidates, the 2025 NFL MVP race is shaping up to be one for the ages. Will the experience and numbers of Stafford win out? Can Maye’s meteoric rise carry him to the top? Will Allen repeat, or could the electric McCaffrey break the quarterback monopoly? Or does Lawrence’s leadership and turnaround story sway the voters? All eyes are on the NFL Honors, where one of these stars will cement their place in football history.