The 2025 NFL MVP race is becoming a captivating storyline as we reach the halfway mark of the season. Traditional favorites like Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs continue to be strong contenders. However, they are now joined by a mix of quarterbacks enjoying the best seasons of their careers, alongside standout players looking to make history as non-quarterbacks. This season could see players like Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks trying to break the quarterback dominance in the MVP race, the first since Adrian Peterson won in 2012.
Here are the top five MVP contenders at this point in the season:
5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
While several quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks, have had impressive performances, none have matched the dominance of Taylor. The 26-year-old running back is leading the league with 895 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and an impressive average of 5.7 yards per carry, alongside 218 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Last year, Saquon Barkley finished third in MVP voting, having scored just one more touchdown than Taylor, albeit in seven more games. If Taylor can maintain this production and propel the Colts to the top of the AFC, he will certainly have a strong case for the award.
4. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Before his recent performance against the Bills, Mahomes appeared to be a leading contender for the MVP title. However, he recorded the lowest completion percentage of his career and a passer rating of just 57.2 in that game. Despite showcasing brilliance throughout the season, he currently ranks 13th in passer rating, a significant drop from his previous MVP seasons in 2018 and 2022. Although he is on pace for a career-high in rushing yards, both he and the Chiefs, who stand at 5-4, will need to improve for Mahomes to be in serious contention for a third MVP award.
3. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
The rise of Maye from an intriguing rookie to one of the top quarterbacks in the league has been a notable development this season. He leads the NFL with a remarkable 74.1% completion percentage and is second only to Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens with a passer rating of 116.9. The Patriots have an impressive record of 7-2, tied for the best in the league. The only aspect holding him back is his 10th place ranking in passing yards per game. However, as Maye continues to improve, it”s likely he will start increasing his passing volume to align with his efficiency.
2. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Just a couple of months ago, there were genuine concerns about Stafford”s back injury impacting his performance in his 17th NFL season. Surprisingly, the 37-year-old has played in every game this year and is currently leading the league with 21 touchdown passes and an average of 268.4 passing yards per game. Although Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers has a higher average, he has only participated in two games this season. Stafford has received considerable support from teammates, including future Hall of Famer Davante Adams and All-Pro Puka Nacua, making him a formidable force in passing this season.
1. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Amid the tumult of the first two months, the consensus remains clear: Josh Allen is the most valuable player in the NFL. He is achieving a career-high completion rate of 70.4%. Although his rushing attempts are slightly down compared to the previous year, he is on track for a higher number of rushing touchdowns. Beyond his stats, Allen deserves recognition for leading the Bills to a 6-2 record despite the absence of a top receiving option. Should he guide the Bills to a sixth consecutive AFC East title, he will be well-positioned for a second consecutive MVP award.
