Every year in the NFL, 32 teams compete with one goal: winning the Super Bowl. At the same time, however, the best individual players in the league fight a separate battle for the NFL MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award.
The NFL gives the MVP Award each season to the player who contributed the most to their team in the regular season. Receiving this award requires nothing short of brilliance.
As the 2024-2025 NFL regular season progresses, discussions over who will take the award home have already begun. The leading contenders are Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. According to USA Today, Allen and Barkley are the two favorites.
Allen is having a phenomenal season, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 10-3 record (as of December 13th) despite a lack of offensive weapons. Although his passing stats may not be extraordinary, his skill appears in his running ability, awareness, and arm strength.
Freshman Sonny Dua said, “[Allen] is the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback.” His exceptional play, despite losing star receiver Stefon Diggs over the off-season, makes him one of the most likely candidates.
Barkley has also had a career season. After putting up low numbers as a member of the New York Giants, a change of scenery was exactly what the RB needed to increase his stat totals. Since signing with Philadelphia as a free agent, he has been unstoppable in the Eagles backfield, fighting against the odds as a running back to be a top contender in this year’s MVP race.
US Counselor and Eagles fan Brian Wiley said, “[Barkley] has been a game changer, and there have been times where if the Eagles hadn’t had him run the ball, they wouldn’t be in a position to win, and I think that is what it means to be the most valuable player.”
The Eagles are 11-2 (as of December 13th). Their stellar record is often credited to Barkley’s explosive play, but he is doing more than just winning games for his team. At the moment, Barkley is on pace to set a new record for rushing yards in a season, with 1623 yards on the ground thus far and 4 games left to play.
However, since a non-quarterback MVP is historically difficult to achieve – the last one being Adrian Peterson in 2012 – Barkley has to go above and beyond. Freshman Griffin King said, “[Barkley] needs to break the single-season rushing record, or he doesn’t have much of a chance.”
Jackson is behind Barkley and Allen in the MVP race, with approximately +900 odds of winning a third MVP award and his second in a row. However, a relatively disappointing 8-5 record this season through week 14 has made Jackson winning highly unlikely.
With four weeks remaining in the regular season, the MVP race is yet to be decided. Whether it’s Allen, Barkley, Jackson, or an unexpected victor making their mark on the history books, the 2024 NFL MVP battle will surely keep fans guessing.
