The race for 2025 NFL MVP is seemingly coming down to Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye, but should it? The latest Wolf Sports YouTube video makes the case for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to get serious MVP consideration.
NFL MVP Discourse
For years, the discourse around the NFL MVP has often been misguided and wrong. For example, Bills quarterback Josh Allen already should’ve won MVP before he finally won it in 2024. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady arguably could have more Most Valuable Player nods throughout his career. This year, the narrative is that it’s a two-person race between Stafford and Maye.
However, Nix should get serious MVP consideration. Though the preferred style of play for the Broncos didn’t lead to huge numbers, Nix still totaled 30 touchdowns while leading Denver to the best record in the league and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The second-year quarterback’s clutch play—coming through not only late in games but in full games when the defense needed it—is a key reason the Broncos went 14-3.
Comparing to Lamar Jackson’s 2023 MVP
People might state that the numbers for Nix simply aren’t good enough to be named MVP, but we just saw Lamar Jackson win his second MVP two years ago with very similar numbers. Jackson had 29 total touchdowns and better rushing production in terms of yardage, but Nix led seven game-winning drives including five fourth-quarter comebacks (compared to just one for Jackson that season).
Also, Jackson had both a stronger supporting cast on offense and the No. 1 defense in football coordinated by Mike Macdonald. The Broncos have a great defense, too, but it’s fair to say Baltimore’s defense was clearly elite all-around and took the ball away over 50% more than Denver did this year.
Overall, given the context of everything going on around the quarterback, Nix’s 2025 campaign arguably stacks up favorably next to Jackson’s 2023 MVP year.
Nix or Stafford/Maye?
Certainly, Stafford and Maye have both put up excellent numbers and have had MVP-caliber seasons. Stafford led the NFL in touchdowns with 46, and Maye had an ultra-efficient seasons. However, for the downsides: the Rams quarterback didn’t play well in two costly losses to the Panthers and Falcons (with a pick-six in each and five interceptions total), while New England’s young gun had one win over a team with an above-.500 record and—despite what you might hear—had worse outings than Nix.
Meanwhile, Nix led Denver to tight wins over the Eagles, Texans, Packers, and Chiefs—who no doubt had a down year, but did have Patrick Mahomes in the first matchup.
Then there are the MVP moments, which Nix arguably had more of. In crunch time, there was no one better in 2025—from 33 fourth-quarter points to beat the Giants in a game the Denver defense struggled, to ice-cold throws late versus teams like the Eagles and Texans. His several game-winning drives compare to just one each for Stafford and Maye. Alos, Nix’s performance versus the Packers might’ve been the best of the Nix, Stafford, Maye trio.
Not a Two-QB Race
This isn’t to say Nix should be a runaway 2025 NFL MVP pick. But it shouldn’t come down to only Stafford and Maye.
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