We are only in Week 12 of the 2024-2025 NFL season, and there have been several shining stars on the field this year. These stars are shaping up to make a competitive MVP race this year. Here is my current top five list of MVP candidates so far in this season.
- Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is behind Joe Burrow in most passing statistics, but he isn’t behind by much. When considering that the Ravens have the NFL’s leading rusher, Derrick Henry, and Lamar Jackson, who rushes more than any quarterback, Jackson’s statistics are incredible. Jackson already has as many passing touchdowns as he did last year only halfway through this season, and the Ravens have a great record being a strong playoff contender. Jackson’s statistics both on the ground and in the air are some of the best of any quarterback in the league.
- Josh Allen
Before this season, many were saying that Josh Allen wouldn’t be nearly as successful as his past couple of seasons because he lost his top two wide receivers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Allen is playing cleaner and smarter football. With his new wide receivers, Allen has an interception-to-touchdown ratio of 18 to 5 compared to last season’s 29 to 18, according to Pro Football Focus. His play has elevated the Buffalo Bills’ offense even more than in the past, and they sit comfortably atop the AFC East Division.
- Joe Burrow
My preseason pick for MVP was Joe Burrow. He started off the season slow, but he’s now performing better and is the current NFL league leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. The Cincinnati Bengals have been propelled into the playoff picture by Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ elite passing offense, an offense that seemingly helps Cincinnati out of a hole every game. Burrow’s stats and leadership, specifically in pulling the Bengals through close games, are simply impossible to ignore.
- Kyler Murray
After missing most of the 2023-2024 season with a knee injury, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals are off to a hot start. Though his stats aren’t as strong compared to others, his playmaking for the division-leading Cardinals seriously helps win them games. Against Miami earlier this season, one play stands out where Murray evaded multiple defenders trying to sack him and threw a touchdown without any effort. That’s the kind of spark he brings to his team, a team with a mediocre roster which was projected to not be nearly as good as they are.
- Saquon Barkley
The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a controlling start and look to be the best team in the NFC East. They’ve had massive play from their top playmakers, but Saquon Barkley continues to dominate the field the most week after week. His playmaking ability not just in the run game but in the passing game has been hard to miss, especially his reverse-hurdle that has gone viral. Barkley clearly is the leader of the Eagles’ offense, and has shown out so far.
