Even though we’re only approaching the halfway mark of the 2025 NFL season, the MVP race feels as wide open as ever.
Several quarterbacks have had standout performances this year to help put their team in a playoff position. Even quarterbacks whose teams have a losing record, like Dak Prescott, have put up monster numbers just to help give their team a chance at winning.
Of course, there are a few non-quarterbacks worthy of the honor, too. But a non-quarterback hasn’t won MVP since Adrian Peterson did so in 2012.
That isn’t stopping at least one member of the “FOX NFL Kickoff” crew from picking a running back for MVP, though. Let’s take a closer look at who Terry Bradshaw, Charles Woodson, Julian Edelman and Jay Glazer have as their picks for MVP entering Sunday’s slate.
Bradshaw’s thoughts: “Matthew Stafford’s got 17 [touchdowns] already. … [Jonathan] Taylor can be a frontrunner this 12 months and would simply be my frontrunner, however they may take a look at Daniel Jones. If I needed to decide a quarterback to win it, I’d say Matthew Stafford. I’d say Matthew Stafford’s having his finest 12 months ever.”
As Bradshaw wished to select a working again for the award, he settled for Stafford, who has led the Rams to a 5-2 begin. His 17 passing touchdowns lead the league despite the fact that he is performed one fewer recreation than many different quarterbacks to date this season. He is additionally eighth in passer ranking (109.3), serving to the Rams discover success of their final two video games with Puka Nacua sidelined.
Woodson’s ideas: “I’d say it is two guys on the identical group, Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has 14 whole touchdowns proper now. Then, you take a look at Daniel Jones, within the offseason, what would you could have mentioned Daniel Jones was proper now? A backup for the Colts or anyone else’s group? The Colts have been 8-9 final 12 months. This 12 months, they’re 7-1. Finest report in soccer. Daniel Jones has 12 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. He has his group rolling. They’ll take votes away from one another. However it’d be a type of two guys.”
The Colts, who’ve the league’s finest report as Woodson identified, is perhaps the one group with two viable MVP candidates up to now. Jones is fourth within the league in passing yards (2,062), sixth in passer ranking (109.5) and fourth in yards per try (8.5) getting into Sunday’s video games.
Taylor, in the meantime, leads the NFL in dashing yards (850), scrimmage yards (1,056), dashing touchdowns (12) and scrimmage touchdowns (14). He truly leads the ultimate stat by 5 touchdowns.
Though it’d appear to be Taylor and Jones are neck and neck for MVP, the consensus within the Colts’ locker room is evident.
“It is JT,” Glazer mentioned of what members of the Colts’ group advised him who can be his MVP decide. “What he is doing this 12 months is ridiculous.”
Edelman’s ideas: “Gotta be Drake Maye. It is gotta be! He leads the league in completion share. He leads the league in deep balls. He is gotten higher every week. We do not give MVPs after Week 8, however he is within the MVP class. He is a midseason MVP. He continues to get higher each single week. He takes care of the soccer. He is obtained a signature win towards Josh Allen and the Bills. He is enjoying his butt off.”
Whereas the “FOX NFL Kickoff” crew ribbed Edelman for making a homer decide, Maye definitely has the stats to be thought-about for MVP. Coming into Sunday, he is fifth in passing yards (2,026), sixth in passing touchdowns (15), second in passer ranking (118.7), third in yards per try (9.0) and first in completion share (75.2).
Most significantly, although, Maye is a key motive why the Patriots are 6-2 after going 4-13 the final two seasons. Forward of Sunday’s recreation towards the Falcons, the Patriots are driving a five-game profitable streak and maintain first place within the AFC East.
Glazer’s ideas: “I feel that is the place this 12 months’s somewhat bit totally different. You discuss MVP, [the Chiefs] did not have receivers and everybody’s banged up. Working backs have been banged up. So, what’s he do? He places the group on his again along with his legs and he stored them in it along with his working recreation. That is an MVP. Now, take a look at what he is doing along with his weapons.”
Whereas the Chiefs are solely 5-3, Mahomes is a giant motive why they have been in a position to keep afloat amid some early-season chaos. Kansas Metropolis handled an harm to Xavier Worthy early on and Rashee Rice missed the primary six video games because of suspension. However after Week 3, Mahomes has been lights out. He is accomplished 71.8% of his passes for 1,430 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions with a 114.8 passer ranking within the Chiefs’ final 5 video games, going 4-1 in that stretch.
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