The Detroit Lions have made a significant mark on ESPN”s list of the top 100 MVP candidates for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, with six players earning recognition. This list, compiled by ESPN”s Seth Walder, highlights the standout performances of players throughout the season.
While the finalists for the actual MVP award have already been revealed—comprising Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford, and Christian McCaffrey—the announcement of the winner will take place during the NFL Honors on February 5. Walder”s list serves as an engaging exploration of the players who had the most substantial impact this past season.
For fans of the Lions, this recognition underscores the talent within their team. Among the six Lions players featured, five secured spots in the top 50 of the list. The players and their rankings are as follows:
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown — 17
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson — 22
- RT Penei Sewell — 28
- QB Jared Goff — 33
- LB Jack Campbell — 50
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs — 64
To provide context, here is how these players rank among their respective position groups according to Walder”s evaluation:
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown — 4th among wide receivers
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson — 5th among edge rushers
- RT Penei Sewell — 3rd among offensive tackles
- QB Jared Goff — 9th among quarterbacks
- LB Jack Campbell — 1st among linebackers
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs — 2nd among running backs
In comparison to other teams, the Lions” six players signify a strong presence, especially when contrasted with notable franchises such as the New England Patriots, who placed four players, and the Seattle Seahawks with eight. The Los Angeles Rams had six players, while the Denver Broncos featured seven. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears had three and two players, respectively.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this list for Lions supporters is the long-term potential of these players. Goff, St. Brown, Sewell, and Hutchinson are under contract for at least the next three seasons, and Gibbs and Campbell are anticipated to join them soon. Notably, only Goff is over the age of 26, indicating that this core group is entering the prime of their careers and is likely to remain with the Lions during this critical phase.
This season has demonstrated that having star talent alone does not guarantee success. Nevertheless, the Lions” foundation is solid, thanks to this talented group. The next challenge will be to enhance the roster with a strong supporting cast, a task that Lions general manager Brad Holmes is expected to prioritize this offseason.
