Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has emerged as a central figure in the NFL’s MVP conversation, drawing praise from veteran voice Matt Ryan and fueling a debate that stretches from New England to Buffalo.
With just weeks remaining in the regular season, the discussion around the league’s most valuable player has become a three-horse race featuring Stafford, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, each staking a compelling claim to the honor.
Ryan, the former NFL MVP and longtime Atlanta Falcons starter, maintains that Stafford is his pick, saying on a recent episode of the Up & Adams show that, “I think Matthew Stafford has been head and shoulders above everyone else. Maybe the best year of his entire career.”
Also this week, on NFL Network’s The Insiders, Ryan was asked about which quarterbacks are having the most impact in 2025.
While Stafford remains his top pick, Ryan also offered high praise for Maye’s breakout season, acknowledging the young passer’s rapid rise and consistent performance.
“Drake Maye’s playing really good football, too…Drake is playing outstanding,” Ryan said. “This has been the story of the season, pushing the ball down the field. His accuracy throwing the football down the field. His grit, his toughness. It’s been fun to watch.”
Those remarks underscore just how dynamic the MVP race has become. Maye, in his second NFL season at age 23, has led the Patriots to one of the best records in the league and become one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in football.
His accuracy, willingness to attack downfield, and leadership have energized New England fans and turned the AFC East into one of the most competitive divisions in recent memory.
Why the MVP race is so tight
With just a handful of games remaining, the MVP race has tightened because each of the leading quarterbacks offers a compelling, but different, case.
Matthew Stafford, now in his 17th NFL season, has quietly authored one of the most efficient and productive campaigns of his career, ranking among the league leaders in passing yards and touchdown passes while continuing to generate explosive plays without a spike in turnovers.
His steady command of the Rams’ offense has positioned Los Angeles for a potential playoff run and placed Stafford squarely in the middle of an MVP discussion he has never won.
At the same time, Drake Maye has helped elevate the Patriots into contention by maximizing a strong supporting cast and thriving in a balanced offensive system, consistently attacking downfield and finishing drives, traits Matt Ryan specifically highlighted.
Josh Allen, meanwhile, remains very much part of the conversation despite having already claimed the award. His recent performance in a dramatic Bills comeback reinforced his value as a dual-threat quarterback and reminded voters of his ability to take over games, particularly after leading Buffalo back from a 21-point deficit against New England.
Together, their contrasting paths have made this one of the most competitive MVP debates of the season’s closing stretch.
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