Josh Allen Returns as NFL MVP Finalist for 2025 Season
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen finds himself in familiar territory once again. On January 22, Allen was officially named a finalist for the Associated Press 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award, placing him back in the elite conversation that has defined his career throughout this decade.
The MVP Announcement and Allen's Reigning Status
The winner of this prestigious award will be revealed at the "NFL Honors" ceremony on February 5, held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. This event comes just three days before Super Bowl LX, adding to the anticipation. Allen enters this year's competition as the reigning MVP, a title that brings both elevated expectations and intensified scrutiny.
His 2025 regular-season performance was nothing short of spectacular, built on remarkable output, consistent durability, and a historical pace that few quarterbacks have ever matched. Allen completed an impressive 69.3% of his passes, accumulating 3,668 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while maintaining a passer rating of 102.2. Additionally, he showcased his dual-threat capabilities with 579 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, further blurring the lines between traditional quarterback play and short-yardage offensive weaponry.
Playoff Context and Statistical Milestones
Despite Allen's individual brilliance, the Bills' postseason run ended prematurely with a divisional round loss to the Denver Broncos, leading to the subsequent firing of head coach Sean McDermott. This context is significant, as MVP voters often consider postseason outcomes, even though the award is technically based on regular-season achievements alone.
Nevertheless, Allen's 2025 campaign was filled with historic milestones that make a compelling case for his MVP candidacy:
- He became the youngest and fastest player to reach 300 regular-season touchdowns.
- Allen surpassed Cam Newton for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history.
- He exceeded Peyton Manning's record for the most total touchdowns by any player aged 30 or younger.
- Allen also crossed the 30,000 career passing yards threshold and delivered multiple games with unprecedented passing and rushing dominance.
These achievements collectively form a powerful counterargument against any potential voter fatigue, demonstrating that Allen has not merely replicated past success but has actively expanded upon it.
The Competitive MVP Finalist Field
Allen is not without formidable competition. The Associated Press has named four other finalists for the 2025 NFL MVP award:
- Trevor Lawrence – Led the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage while guiding the New England Patriots to the AFC championship game.
- Drake Maye – Posted league-leading statistics in key passing categories and elevated his team's performance throughout the season.
- Christian McCaffrey – Once again proved himself as an all-purpose threat, amassing 2,298 yards from scrimmage and helping the San Francisco 49ers overcome a season plagued by injuries.
- Matthew Stafford – Topped the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, earning his first first-team All-Pro selection.
Each of these candidates brings a unique narrative and statistical profile, creating a narrow margin for Allen to secure the award. Voting for the MVP concluded before the playoffs, but the broader context of team success and individual impact inevitably lingers in the minds of the 50 media panelists who rank their top five choices, with first-place votes carrying significant weight.
Historical Precedent and Allen's Position
History adds another layer of complexity to this year's MVP race. Allen narrowly defeated Lamar Jackson for the award last year, despite Jackson receiving first-team All-Pro honors. This precedent means Allen enters the 2025 vote as both the defending champion to beat and a player whom voters may feel they have already adequately recognized.
As the NFL community awaits the February 5 announcement, the debate surrounding Allen's candidacy highlights the delicate balance between regular-season excellence, historical achievements, and the ever-present scrutiny that comes with being at the pinnacle of professional football.
