With the NFL regular season coming to an end, the MVP race has concluded causing great debate in the football world over who is the most deserving. Going into the season, most people expected players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen to be leading the league in the MVP race. However, two dark horses have emerged as front runners for the 2025-2026 NFL season MVP.
As for the usual candidates, Mahomes during a struggling Chiefs season, faced an ACL injury in week 15. This would not have changed the outcome of the race as Maye and Stafford were already ahead of him throughout the regular season as the Chiefs faced a rough year after much dominance in the league. As far as Lamar Jackson, he also spent much of the season dealing with injuries of his own, and with his Ravens missing the playoffs, his shot at the MVP was gone before he even could think of winning the award. For the final usual candidate, Josh Allen, he has had a solid year for him leading the Buffalo Bills to the six seed in the AFC while being a threat on the ground and through the air. Unfortunately for him, Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are in his division, and a loss to them on primetime Sunday Night Football derailed his MVP hopes and his chance at winning the AFC East as the young Drake Maye emerged as a great QB early in the year. While some other players have had break out years like Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield, and Trevor Lawerence, they did not have the consistency or the statistics over the course of the whole year to compete with Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford.
Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford are ahead of the rest of the league this year which was shocking to many. Personally I knew Drake Maye was gonna ne elite so I am less surprised than most, but Matthew Stafford on the back half of his career while dealing with back injuries has had a shocking 2025-2026 campaign. Stafford is having his best statistical year tallying 46 passing touchdowns while only throwing 8 interceptions. While it is very impressive, the second year quarterback in New England, Drake “Drake Maye” Maye, has had one of the best sophomore seasons ever. With superb efficiency, outstanding accuracy, and excellent game management, Drake Maye has had an outstanding season leading his team to 14-3 earning the number two seed in the AFC while the Rams with Matthew Stafford at the helm are only the five seed in the NFC.
Over Stafford’s career, he has built a real case for being in the Hall of Fame, and winning the MVP would really solidify his chances at making it. On the back half of his career, this may be his last chance to win it. Throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions is phenomenal from Stafford.
That being said, there is only one real choice for the MVP. Drake Maye is by far the most deserving candidate in the NFL this season. He leads the league in completion percentage, passer rating, yards per attempt, and total EPA. Maye completely turned around this Patriots squad tha went just 4-13 last year. The display of such explosiveness and accuracy working in tandem has only been seen by other elite QBs such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees, both MVP winners. Many argue against him that Stafford has more touchdowns with 11 more, however, when you watch the Rams play, you notice wide receivers like Davante Adams and Puka Nacua make it much easier to stat pad. Stafford has set a record for most passing touchdowns on the one yard line with thirteen and from inside the five yard line he has eighteen. Some might say it does not matter where the touchdowns come from, but most teams would run the ball from those distances while the rams having two of the best receivers in the game make it much easier to just toss it up and hope they catch it. This is very important to the argument because it is one of the only stats Stafford has Drake Maye beat in, but when you look at how each player got their touchdowns it really just has to do with their coaching. Stafford also has a much better supporting staff with multiple pro bowlers and an Offensive Player of the Year candidate. Drake Maye is significantly more VALUABLE to his team than Stafford is to the Rams. The final argument people consistently utilize against Drake Maye is that he has ahd a significantly easier schedule which is true, but a deeper look needs to be take at that. When facing common opponents, Drake Maye is 6-0 with better stats across the board than Stafford who is only 4-2. Drake Maye has played worse overall teams, however, he has played more top ten defenses than stafford has as well. Over the last 10 years, the MVP has always come from a player who led their team to the 1 seed or the 2 seed, so Matthew Stafford’s 5th seeded Rams might not get the job done for him to win the MVP especially after they could not win the division. Drake Maye has set the record for the highest QB rating in a game while leading the league in QBR over the entire season. He also leads in passer rating displaying his surgical execution for the Patriots. He has also been a threat to teams on the ground rushing for 450 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 38 first downs extending drives with his legs. His accuracy cannot be understated as he also has the sixth highest completion percentage ever in NFL history with 71.95%.
This NFL season has been a rollercoaster for many teams with unexpected teams finishing at the top of the league, but what might be more surprising than that is the NFL race between an older player who has tapped back into his prime and a young star who has yet to reach his prime. Whether they win the league or not, they both hope to lead their to the superbowl to finish this historic season.
