The Final Five: Saquon Barkley and Four Elite QBs Named MVP Finalists
NEW YORK, NY — The race for the NFL’s highest individual honor is down to five names. The Associated Press just released the finalists for the 2024-25 Most Valuable Player award, and while the list features the usual quarterback royalty, there is a seismic shift at the running back position. **Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Saquon Barkley** are the last men standing in a battle that will be decided at the NFL Honors in New Orleans.
Mic’d up Brady at the Pro Bowl didn’t disappoint 😅 (via @NFLFilms)
Pro Bowl Games — Tuesday 2/3 8pm ET on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/Fk4FPTQDNn— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2026
Breaking the Quarterback Streak
The headline isn’t just who made the list, but the position they play. Saquon Barkley is the first running back in years to legitimately threaten the quarterback monopoly on this award. Barkley’s debut season in Philadelphia was a statistical wrecking ball, finishing with **over 2,100 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns**. He didn’t just accumulate yards; he served as the entire identity for an Eagles offense that leaned on him to close out games against elite NFC defenses.
On the passing side, the case for **Josh Allen** centers on his “One-Man-Army” production. Allen accounted for **44 total touchdowns** this season, leading the Bills to yet another AFC East title despite a mid-season roster overhaul. Meanwhile, **Jared Goff** represents the efficiency vote. Leading the Detroit Lions to a top-two seed, Goff finished with a **67.3% completion rate** and over 4,500 yards, proving he is the tactical engine behind the league’s most balanced offense. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes round out the group, both looking to add to their already historic trophy cases after leading their teams to the top of the AFC standings.
Inside the Huddle
“You can talk about passing yards all you want, but ‘Value’ is about who makes the other 10 guys on the field better. If you take Saquon out of Philly or Josh Allen out of Buffalo, those teams are picking in the top ten of the draft. That is the definition of an MVP.” — AFC Scout and former Personnel Director
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
While the voting is already in the books, the debate will rage until the envelope is opened on February 6. Historically, voters have defaulted to the best quarterback on the best team, which gives **Lamar Jackson** a slight edge for a repeat performance. However, the “Saquon Factor” is a massive wild card this year. If Barkley receives a significant share of the first-place votes, he could trigger the first non-QB win since Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Watch for how these finalists perform in the Divisional and Championship rounds of the playoffs. While the award is technically based on the regular season, a signature postseason moment often cements the legacy of the winner in the eyes of the public. If Josh Allen finally breaks through to the Super Bowl, his MVP case becomes an “I told you so” for the ages. For now, the league has its five faces, and for the first time in a long time, one of them isn’t wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice.
