Each year since 2013, a quarterback has won the MVP award, and that could continue in 2025 and beyond. With the way the NFL has been trending, it's obviously become a QB-first league, and the best and most recognizable players in the league are quarterbacks.
Now that Week 11 is about wrapped up, the MVP race has gotten a tad bit more clear and features some newer faces. Heck, some have wondered if a certain running back in the AFC would have a chance at winning the MVP this year.
As we have done, we've power ranked our updated MVP stepladder, so let's get into it here.
NFL MVP Power Rankings: Jonathan Taylor continues to make his case
5. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff continues to be one of the best and steadiest QBs in the NFL. The Detroit Lions are now 6-3 on the season after a blowout win over the Washington Commanders, and Goff is quielty having an insane season yet again. He's now thrown 20 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. His 117.7 passer rating would be the best of his career.
He's also completing 74% of his passes, which leads the NFL. The one thing that kind of goes against Goff is that he's not a dual-threat QB and plays the position in a more traditional way, so that doesn't really do him any favors.
But he's one of the best passers in the NFL, period, and is an MVP candidate.
4. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks are 7-2, and Darnold continues to play well. On a side note, you have to wonder how much the Minnesota Vikings regret letting him leave. Seattle feels like a legitimate contender, and there might only be one QB this year who has been more efficient throwing the ball down the field. Darnold might be legit and is still just 28 years old.
If Seattle keeps winning, it'd be hard to not view Darnold as an MVP candidate.
3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Many had wondered if the New England Patriots were legit, as they had previously beat up on a lot of bad teams and had a huge test in Tampa against the Buccaneers. Well, it's safe to say that we should be taking the Patriots seriously. Now winners of seven in a row, the Patriots and QB Drake Maye are a train that keeps speeding ahead.
The Patriots were among the worst teams in the NFL last year, but even then, Maye was playing a lot better than people thought. This breakout is real and he's arrived, and if the Patriots win the AFC East and Maye keeps this up, how do you not give him the MVP?
2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is on pace to finish with over 1,900 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns. We are truly witnessing an all-time season from the RB position at the moment. The 8-2 Colts are going to keep riding Taylor, and the awesome thing here is that he's been staying healthy, which has been a slight issue of his during his career.
Right now, Taylor is averaging six yards per carry and a whopping 113.9 yards per game, which are both first in the NFL. The one way a running back can win the MVP in a given season is being a better player than his starting QB and simply filling the stat sheet as much as possible.
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 25 passing touchdowns. He has just two interceptions.
Two.
Stafford also leads the NFL in passing yards per game and is on a red-hot 7-2 LA Rams' team. It's hard to find a weakness with this squad. They rank 5th in points scored and 2nd in points allowed. LA got a bit of revenge on the 49ers in Week 11 and have now won four games in a row.
Stafford is closer to 40 years old than he is 35, but that hasn't stopped the veteran from playing the best football of his career. Winning the Super Bowl in his first year with the Rams back in 2021, Stafford potentially winning the MVP in 2025 could give him a slam-dunk Hall of Fame resume.