We’re nearly halfway through the 2025 NFL regular season, as teams have either played seven or eight games and, most importantly, revealed who they are. The top players have done the same, with some playing at their best and others vaulting themselves into the conversation amongst the best.
We’re here to highlight the race for the NFL MVP trophy, which features players from both categories. While the award usually goes to a quarterback, one running back makes our list of the five contenders through Week 8.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes got off to slow starts to the season, but after three straight wins, they’re back. The offensive woes that held Mahomes to a career-low 26 touchdown passes last season are also gone, as he’s thrown 17 in eight games and nine in the last three games.
Much has to do with his revamped receiving core, which is all healthy and back from suspension, finally getting on the field together. But much of it also has to do with Mahomes simply revealing himself as one, if not the best, player in football once again.
If he doesn’t get in his own way (as Mahomes threw two interceptions in the first half on Monday Night Football), there’s no stopping him or the Chiefs. Mahomes rebounded with all three of his passing touchdowns in the second half, waking up and putting away the Washington Commanders.
Having also used his legs more this season, scoring four times on the ground, Mahomes might be playing the best football of his career right now and deserves to be smack dab in the middle of the MVP conversation through eight weeks.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Although Josh Allen in 2025 hasn’t put up the otherworldly numbers we’re used to, he still deserves to be in here because of his team’s success this season.
Allen is joined in the backfield by running back James Cook III, who’s having a career year and has taken some of the load off of the former Wyoming standout. But that doesn’t mean that Allen isn’t scoring touchdowns himself, as he tossed one and ran two against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 on the way to leading the Buffalo Bills to a 40-point outing.
Even though he may have to ramp his stats up in the stretch run of the season to be seriously considered for the award, there may be no player who lifts his team and is more valuable to them than Allen: quite literally what the MVP award should be for.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Coming off a 29-for-37, 360-yard, three-touchdown performance in front of the nation on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jordan Love is the hot MVP candidate right now.
And for good reason, he, after a slow start, carved up the Steelers’ secondary and led the Green Bay Packers back from a 16-7 halftime deficit as they won, 35-25.
The entire Love experience was on display as he side-armed, deep-balled, and scrambled his way onto this list. It’s up there with the best games of his career. That, along with the Packers holding a 5-1-1 record, gives Love a solid case to be in the top three for this award through eight weeks.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
There hasn’t been a more impressive running back this season than Jonathan Taylor, another player on this list, who is playing the best football of his career this season. He’s carried the ball 143 times for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns — nine of which in his last four games.
He had a tremendous outing against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, carving them up for 153 yards and two scores on just 12 carries. It looked easy for him, especially as he sprinted for an 80-yard touchdown on the Indianapolis Colts’ first play of the second half.
Taylor’s impact on the game is immense, as the threat of him running the ball opens up the play-action pass game for quarterback Daniel Jones, who’s enjoying a career year. It’s safe to say that the Colts, who are 7-1, would not be anywhere near where they are without the excellence of their star running back.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Simply put, Drake Maye does not look like the second-year quarterback he is. He’s really hit his stride in the last three games, averaging 255 pass yards per game and throwing eight touchdown passes versus just one interception.
He’s also run for 250 yards this season, showing a much better understanding of when to tuck it and get yards with his legs. Though he’s not as big as Allen, Maye can pull off highlight-reel-worthy plays like his AFC East counterpart.
After starting the season 1-2, including losses to the Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, the New England Patriots have reeled off five straight wins and appear to be a contender in the AFC thanks to the quick improvement of their signal-caller.
