Even with superstars like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in the mix, NFL executives currently have Matthew Stafford out in front of the MVP race, but not by an overwhelming distance. Stafford leads by 13 votes, followed by the Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen with eight votes, and then the Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor with five votes.
Following those three, there is a stack of quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Justin Herbert for the Los Angeles Chargers, and then Mahomes. At this point in the season, the MVP race is too close to call. As the rest of the season plays out, three candidates should stick out from the rest.
How the Players Stack Up Against Each Other
Matthew Stafford
So far this season, Stafford has led the Los Angeles Rams to a record of 6-2. In eight games played this season, Stafford has completed 184 of 274 pass attempts for 2,147 yards. Along with that, he’s thrown for a league-leading 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Stafford has elevated every player around him, including Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. So far, Nacua has 61 receptions for 711 yards and two touchdowns, compared to Adams, who has 36 receptions for 491 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games.
Josh Allen
Allen has guided the Bills to a 6-2 record this season. In eight games, the reigning MVP has completed 157 passes for 1833 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Allen is just as valuable as a runner as a passer. In 55 rushing attempts, Allen has run for 280 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jonathan Taylor
Taylor is the only non-quarterback in the top six on this list. He has helped the Colts achieve a 7-2 record through nine games, playing a significant role in their offensive success.
Taylor has rushed for a league-leading 895 yards in 157 attempts, which averages out to 99.4 rushing yards a game. In those 157 attempts, he has also scored 12 times, which is also a league lead.
He’s also caught passes out of the backfield, acting as a receiver. Taylor has caught 27 of 29 targets for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He is one of the most versatile offensive threats in the league.
Baker Mayfield
After bouncing around from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers, then the Rams, Mayfield has finally found a permanent home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers lead the NFC South with a 6-2 record, aiming to win it for their second time since 2021.
In eight games, Mayfield has completed 172 of 269 passes for 1919 yards. Additionally, 13 of those attempts were touchdown passes, and two of them were interceptions.
Mayfield has been a plus runner, but not as well as someone like Allen. In 22 attempts, Mayfield has run for 158 yards and no touchdowns.
Justin Herbert
Herbert has led the Los Angeles Chargers to a 6-3 record, which currently sits second in the AFC West behind the 8-2 Denver Broncos.
In nine games, Herbert has completed 220 passes for 2390 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
In the running game, he’s added 305 yards and one touchdown in 46 attempts.
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are having a down year by their standards, sitting behind the Chargers and Broncos with a 5-4 record. The Super Bowl hopefuls have a lot of catching up to do if they plan on getting back to the big game.
In nine games this season, Mahomes has completed 204 passes for 2349 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Additionally, he has added 285 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 47 attempts.