By JEFFREY BATTLE
By the time this article is published, we’ll only be five weeks into the NFL season — yet there are already some clear frontrunners emerging in the MVP race. It’s not just about stats this year, it’s also about the story behind each player. The past two seasons with Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have proven that narrative plays just as big of a role as performance does.
Here’s my list of the top MVP candidates so far:
Josh Allen
Shoutout to JP, the biggest Bills fan I know. Josh Allen deserves to be in the MVP conversation again this year. He’s already led a big comeback win against the Ravens, and his consistent play over the last few seasons keeps him firmly in the race. Even without a dominant No. 1 receiver, the Bills continue to find ways to win — a testament to Allen’s leadership and versatility. His combination of popularity, production, and proven success gives him a strong case to take home another MVP.
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is playing some of the best football of his career right now. Despite the Chargers dealing with major injuries on both sides of the ball, he’s kept them competitive week after week. His pocket awareness and improved decision-making — paired with his ability to scramble when needed — make him one of the most complete quarterbacks in the game. Sure, he had a rough outing against the Giants, but overall, his play has been elite. And let’s be honest — the MVP award has a popularity element, and Herbert checks that box too. If he keeps up this level of play, he could very well take home the trophy.
Baker Mayfield
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Baker Mayfield has been one of the most savage players in the league this season. He’s brought a spark to the Buccaneers’ offense, keeping them in tight games and showing a level of poise we haven’t consistently seen before. Even in their loss to the Eagles, the Bucs managed some strong offensive drives. The Eagles might be the most complete team in the NFL right now, but Baker has kept Tampa Bay competitive — and that says a lot.
Jordan Love
Jordan Love has quietly put himself in the top tier of quarterbacks this season. Early on, he ranked near the top in most major passing categories, and his deep ball has been a real weapon. His average depth of target in the first two weeks was a whopping 12.3 yards — proof that Green Bay’s offense was built to take shots downfield. The Packers’ offensive line injuries have slowed things down, but when given time to throw (as we saw in their 40-point outing last week), Love has shown just how explosive this team can be. He’s earned his spot in the MVP conversation.
Aaron Rodgers
Age is Irrelevant. Aaron Rodgers continues to show why he’s arguably the most talented passer in NFL history. Even behind one of the worst offensive lines in football, he’s producing elite numbers. Against the Vikings, he started 9-for-9 with 156 yards and a touchdown — all while averaging just 1.96 seconds in the pocket (the league average is 2.5). That’s unreal. Rodgers is doing this against top-tier defenses, purely out of skill and spite. And honestly, that might be enough to carry his team to a division title.
Featured image: SB Nation
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