As the 2025 Playoffs rage on, several year-end accolades are up for grabs. But arguably the most coveted hardware is the “NFL MVP” award. Now, a few big names have floated about as favorites to win the award, a couple of which are from the same teams. Even though not all of these players have made it to the playoffs this year, their work in 2025 cannot be diminished for such.
Here are a few big names that could be crowned MVP of 2025, starting with some quarterbacks.
Favorites for 2025 NFL MVP
Lamar Jackson: Baltimore Ravens
Every fan and critic can agree that defending league MVP, Lamar Jackson, has had the best season as a passer. The Baltimore Ravens star has not only tallied career highs in passing yards but also in passing touchdowns and passer rating. Having Derrick Henry, who is playing like an MVP favorite himself, in the backfield has paid dividends in more ways than one. Mainly, Jackson can take significant amounts of pressure off of himself by handing it off to Henry and letting him cause all sorts of trouble for defenses.
Action Jackson and company will look to continue their momentum as they travel to Buffalo in hopes of toppling the Bills again like their latest regular-season meeting. Speaking of Buffalo….
Josh Allen: Buffalo Bills
If any dual-threat quarterback in the league can give Jackson a run for his money, it’s Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. He may have finished a bit shy of 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, but his ability to limit costly mistakes has evolved significantly. Allen has posted career lows in interceptions thrown, and fumbles lost as well. But he will have to capitalize even further on his new-found ball control as the postseason rolls on.
Allen and the crew will have to stop a blazing-hot Ravens squad with two potential MVP favorites in tow. Highmark Stadium is a very difficult place to play this time of year. But the Bills cannot take this home-field advantage for granted.
Joe Burrow: Cincinnati Bengals
One has to feel at least some sympathy for the Cincinnati Bengals after the year that they have had. Joe Burrow has shown how lethal he can be when fully healthy, and Ja’Marr Chase has the receiving “triple crown” (leads in receptions, rec. yards, and rec. touchdowns). As for the former, Burrow has posted his career bests in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and pass completions percentage. Not to mention his 4918 yards and 43 TDs are the best of any quarterback in the 2024 campaign.
Needless to say, the thought of Burrow winning MVP is not as farfetched as it is bittersweet. The Bengals had one of the scariest offenses in the NFL, only for their defense to hold them back and just miss out on a spot in the playoffs.
Jared Goff: Detroit Lions
From one scary offense to another, The Detroit Lions have carved a path of destruction much like they have in 2023. Once again commanded by Jared Goff, the Lions will look to punch their ticket to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. Goff, meanwhile, continues to ascend in his time with Detroit. His 4,629 passing yards and 37 touchdowns have spearheaded the league’s highest-scoring offense this season. Only Baltimore’s offense has averaged more total yards per game than Detroit.
But the regular season is over. Now, Goff and the gang will need to keep the motor firing on all pistons as they boast home-field advantage in the NFC side of the playoffs. Goff may have a longer shot at the league MVP award than the likes of Jackson and Burrow. But no one can deny how this ruthless Lions offense revolves around him.
Tune in next week as names outside of the quarterback position can very well take the hardware home.
Main Image: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
