The NFL MVP is likely going to be won by a QB, as it has been every year since 2013. Adrian Peterson was the last non-quarterback to win the award, but things don't look to be changing from that, and whether you agree or not, it's how things are in the modern-day NFL.
There is a new face atop our MVP power rankings, as he has his team riding high and is carving out some insane production this year. However, there are other worthy candidates thus far. Now that Week 9 is about in the books, the NFL trade deadline is on the way.
The deadline is Tuesday, so teams have about 24 hours to make any more deals. We could see some players on the move later on Monday, as many across the league are in a position to buy. Let's get into our latest MVP stepladder power rankings after Week 9 action.
There's a new no. 1 in latest MVP stepladder power rankings
5. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills took down the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 and now have a two-game lead in the loss column over KC. The Bills have typically dominated the Chiefs in the regular season, as they have now clinched that huge head-to-head tiebreaker, but it would not matter if only one of these teams won their division.
Josh Allen was special in this game and has put himself back in the MVP race as the second-half of the season hits.
4. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts has taken care of the ball at an incredible level this year, as he's thrown just one interception, and the Eagles are 6-2. Philly is going to runaway with the NFC East title, and if Hurts can continue to show some proficiency as a passer, he could get more MVP momentum in the coming weeks. Credit where credit is due here; Jalen Hurts has played well this year.
3. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks played on Sunday Night Football in Week 9 and got to play in front of a primetime crowd. All Darnold did was toss four touchdowns. He now has 16 touchdown passes against four interceptions this year for a stellar 116 passer rating. He's actually on pace to be more productive than he was in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings.
Seattle is now 6-2 on the season and have a great chance at capturing the NFC West title in the 2025 NFL Season, but there is another NFC West quarterback on this list who is more deserving of a higher ranking in our MVP stepladder as Week 9 closes out.
2. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL at 7-2, and it's truly amazing to see the Patriots play as well as they have this year. Drake Maye has been outstanding and is turning into an elite QB before our very eyes.
The Pats have beat up on a lot of bad teams this year, but they can't help who is on their schedule. New England still leads the AFC East as well and don't appear to be slowing down, either.
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford has thrown 21 touchdown passes this year. He's only thrown two interceptions, as the Los Angeles Rams are now 6-2 on the season and rank 8th in the NFL in points scored per game. The Rams play the 49ers, Seahawks, and Buccaneers over the next three games and could really make some notable progress in the NFC if they could win two of those games.
Stafford himself is playing the best football of his career and is operating at a higher level than any QB in the league at the moment. The Rams won it all back in 2021 and appear to have enough to win it all again. Matthew Stafford is trending toward getting some serious consideration for his first MVP award, and that could end up being enough to push him into Canton one day.