The NFL’s MVP announcement definitely caught some people off guard. Matthew Stafford was named the 2025 MVP at NFL Honors. The reaction wasn’t exactly calm; it was quite the opposite. I am not saying that Stafford didn’t deserve recognition, but the timing felt strange. Drake Maye was just days away from starting the Super Bowl, while Stafford’s season was already done. With the vote coming down to a razor-thin margin, the whole moment left fans feeling uneasy rather than convinced. The final vote count was painfully close: Stafford finished with 366 points, Maye with 361, making it one of the tightest MVP races the league has ever seen.
The Razor-Thin Vote That Changed Everything
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) leaves the field after the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Can you believe the margin was just one vote! Stafford received 24 first-place votes, while Maye earned 23. Three other first-place votes went elsewhere, including one from analyst Sam Monson, who chose Justin Herbert despite Herbert not being a finalist. Monson made the argument, saying Herbert showed “value” behind a weak offensive line. Had even one of those votes gone to Maye, the award would have flipped. It was the closest MVP finish since the 2003 co-MVP season.
Stafford’s Case — Big Numbers, Big Season
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Stafford’s MVP argument was built on production. At 37, the Rams quarterback led the league with 4,707 passing yards and threw 46 touchdowns while keeping interceptions low. No other quarterback matched those totals, which gave Stafford a clear edge in traditional stats. For many voters, those numbers were hard to ignore. The award also felt like recognition for a veteran enjoying a late-career surge, proving he could still dominate in a league increasingly focused on younger stars.
Maye’s Case — Turning a Team Around
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) exits the field after the loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Drake Maye’s case looked different. His supporters focused less on raw numbers and more on impact. The Patriots were coming off a four-win season before Maye led them to a 14–3 record and an AFC East title. He consistently ranked high in efficiency metrics and showed strong command of the offense. More importantly, he changed how the team looked and felt. New England went from an overlooked team to a legitimate contender in just one season.
When the “Value” Argument Worked Against Itself
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Fans look on during the start of the game between New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Surprisingly, the voters who emphasized “value” may have cost Maye the award. MVP guidelines stress impact, yet value-minded voters split their support between Maye, Allen, and Herbert. That division allowed Stafford’s stat-heavy case to rise above the rest. Sam Monson publicly defended his vote for Herbert, but the numbers didn’t care. In the end, three scattered ballots were enough to shift the award. For many Patriots fans, it felt less like a fair outcome and more like a technical failure.
An MVP Pick That Felt… Strange
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; The video board after the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
When looking back at history, MVPs have come from teams that have played in the Super Bowl. Stafford’s Rams didn’t even win their division and were knocked out in the NFC Championship Game. That made this selection unusual by league standards. Meanwhile, the runner-up was actively preparing for football’s biggest stage. The contrast was impossible to ignore. Many fans asked the same question: how does the league’s “most valuable” player end his season watching the Super Bowl from home?
A Chance to Make It Hurt Less
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While Stafford accepted his MVP trophy, Maye had his sights set elsewhere. The Patriots were preparing to face the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. This win would have delivered New England its seventh Lombardi Trophy and cemented franchise history. Throughout the season, Maye had repeatedly mentioned that championships mattered more than awards. This game was his chance to turn MVP disappointment into something bigger, louder, and far more lasting if you ask me.
Seattle Shuts the Door
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
That moment never came. Seattle dominated from the start, beating the Patriots 29–13. Maye was under constant pressure, getting sacked at least six times, with some outlets crediting a seventh sack that would set a Super Bowl record. A Maye turnover returned for a touchdown became the game’s turning point. Although he threw late touchdown passes to Mack Hollins and Rhamondre Stevenson, the damage was already done. New England’s dream season ended one win short.
Did the Super Bowl Change the MVP Conversation?
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) dives for a first down against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
After the loss, the MVP debate took a new turn. Few fans argued that Maye’s struggles on the biggest stage justified voting for Stafford. Rams supporters flooded social media claiming Stafford was owed an apology. Others pushed back, saying one bad game shouldn’t erase an entire season’s worth of impact. MVP voting is based on regular-season performance, not February results. The argument quickly shifted from stats to how much weight moments should carry.
Not a Total Loss for New England
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reacts during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Despite the MVP disappointment, the Patriots still had plenty to celebrate at NFL Honors. Mike Vrabel won Coach of the Year, Josh McDaniels earned Assistant Coach of the Year, and Adam Vinatieri was named to the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. For Maye, this loss will sting, but keep in mind, he is only 23 years old; his near-MVP season suggests this won’t be his last shot. The 2025 vote will be remembered as a reminder of how one ballot can change everything.
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Sources:
CBS News Boston, New England Patriots lose Super Bowl LX 29-13 after woeful offensive performance, February 7 2026
ESPN, Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP in closest vote since 2003, February 5 2026
NFL.com, Matthew Stafford wins 2025 AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, February 5 2026
Pats Pulpit, Drake Maye misses out on NFL MVP Award by a single vote, February 6 2026
NBC Sports, Super Bowl LX Seahawks dominate Patriots in 29-13 win, February 8 2026
Yahoo Sports, NFL MVP voting results 2025 How Matthew Stafford beat out Drake Maye, February 6 2026
