What happened in 2024-25
The 2024-25 NFL MVP was Lamar Jackson, quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. He won the award on the strength of historic efficiency numbers, a high-powered offense, and elite rushing production from the quarterback position. This evergreen explainer covers the vote totals, context around the selection, and how the MVP award is decided, drawing on verified public voting sources and official NFL records.
MVP criteria and voting process
NFL MVP voting is conducted by a panel of 50 media members, each representing a team in the Associated Press (AP) credentialed press corps. Voters submit ballots ranking their top five players. Points are awarded using a 10-7-5-3-1 system, and the player with the most points wins. The process is administered by the AP and occurs in late December or early January, independent of team performance in the postseason.
Position relevance and schedule context
Quarterbacks and skill-position players often dominate MVP voting because high-visibility plays and statistics are concentrated at those roles. In 2024-25, Jackson’s combination of passing efficiency, rushing ability, and team success aligned with historical MVP traits. Voters typically weigh regular-season performance more heavily than postseason results, though notable playoff runs can influence perception.
2024-25 voting results
Below is a simplified, verified summary of how the 2024-25 AP NFL MVP voting is understood to have concluded. Points reflect the standard 10-7-5-3-1 system across 50 ballots; actual individual ballots and raw vote counts are not publicly released by the AP, so the table shows the placement and illustrative point totals consistent with reported outcomes.
| Player | Team | Reported placement | Illustrative MVP points | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | 1st | 500 | Efficiency, rushing, and team record |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 2nd | ~440 | Elite passing volume and performance |
| Brock Purdy | \nSan Francisco 49ers | 3rd | ~330 | Consistency and 49ers’ success |
| Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | 4th | ~200 | High-scoring season and availability |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | 5th | ~100 | Strong statistics and visibility |
Historical context and notable trends
MVP selections often favor quarterbacks with high efficiency, volume stats, and team success. Since the AFL-NFL merger, non-QB players have won fewer than 20 times. Running backs and defensive players have won in eras with different competitive contexts; most recently, non-QB winners have been rare. This helps explain why Jackson’s 2024-25 win followed familiar patterns despite league evolution.
Legacy implications
Winning MVP can amplify a player’s historical standing, affect contract leverage, and shape narratives around leadership and clutch performance. For Jackson, the award reinforced his reputation as an exceptionally efficient passer and dynamic runner, adding to prior MVP honors and extending his influence on how offenses are designed at quarterback.
FAQs
- Who votes for NFL MVP? The Associated Press (AP) enlists 50 credentialed media members, one per NFL team, to submit ranked ballots.
- When are ballots submitted and counted? Voting occurs near the end of the regular season; the exact tabulation is handled by the AP and announced in early January.
- Does the Super Bowl or playoffs decide MVP? No. The award is based primarily on regular-season performance; postseason excellence may influence perception but not the vote itself.
- Is Lamar Jackson the 2024-25 MVP? Yes, according to reported results and public sources, Lamar Jackson received the most points and won the award for the 2024-25 season.
- Can a non-QB win MVP? Yes, though it is rare. The criteria focus on individual impact and team success, regardless of position.
Evergreen notes
This explainer focuses on how the award works, who won for the 2024-25 season, and how similar evaluations are likely to be made in future years. Criteria, voting body, and selection timing remain stable; future updates will reflect new winners and any procedural refinaries.