American football is a team sport. Probably, it is the ultimate team sport. The collaboration between offense, defense and special team is something unseen in other activities. The strategic aspect is undeniable and the highlights are breathtaking. The quarterback holds too much power and a good player in this position can win or lose games alone. When teamplay will finally manage to overcome the raw talent of an elite QB, this sport will become almost perfect.
However, each team is made of players and they want accolades for their performances. This is the reason why the league gives individual trophies at the conclusion of each year. Between them, the most sought after is obviously the one for the MVP, the most valuable player of the year.
Usually, this is an award reserved for QBs. As we have already written, they always emerge first. As the new NFL season approaches, speculation is mounting around who will claim the coveted MVP title. From superstar quarterbacks to breakout candidates, fans and analysts are already weighing the odds. To get a clearer picture of how the race is shaping up, many are turning to the NFL on oddschecker, a trusted betting comparison platform that highlights the best available odds from multiple sportsbooks. This helps both casual followers and seasoned bettors in staying informed on the quick-shifting dynamics of the always interesting MVP race.
Who are the top contenders?
It is way too early to accurately predict who will be the MVP in February, but there are three names that begin the race in pole position. Obviously, these are the three most talented quarterbacks in the league: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
The case for Mahomes
Who doesn’t like Mahomes? Nobody. He’s fun to watch, extremely talented, generous, looks great on tvs and has a knack for advertising. He is the face of the NFL as Tom Brady was before his retirement and can win games on his own. Well, he is so great that he even amazes the referees (exactly as TB12, by the way) and they seem to always give him a hand whenever there are doubtful decisions to make. Whatever. The results speak for themselves and the boy has already won three Super Bowls, at 29. He is the main reason why the Kansas City Chiefs are so high on our week 1 Power Rankings, just behind the Philadelphia Eagles, last year’s champions.
Can Josh Allen repeat himself?
The defending MVP is the Buffalo Bills quarterback, who won almost unanimously in 2024, at the end of an extraordinary year in terms of results and statistics. As always, Buffalo fell short during the playoffs, but the MVP is an award given to the best player during the regular season, so postseason doesn’t actually matter. The Bills have the chance to go all the way in the American Football Conference, and are able to worry anyone in an eventual Super Bowl because of the incredible skills of Allen, who can throw or run with ease and usually makes the best decision possible. He recently married and will have a ring on his finger. He could look to add another one, way more massive, next February.
Lamar Jackson is already a two-time MVP, will he get another trophy?
Lamar Jackson plays on a team that is probably better than the Chiefs and the Bills, but he never goes far in the playoffs, just like Josh Allen. His Baltimore Ravens are an absolute powerhouse, on defense and on offense. They lost Justin Tucker, one of the best kickers ever, during this offseason, but have already found his replacement. In order for them to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, Jackson has to play better than usual. He is an amazing runner but he must be more precise when throwing. Last year he showed some improvements. He needs to confirm them in September.
