Who will win MVP?
By: Jake Rajala
Sam Darnold, who was once seen as a bust, has transcended into an elite quarterback. In 2024, he threw 35 TDs and led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record. Despite his heroics in Minnesota, the Vikings chose to move forward with J.J. McCarthy (which appears to be a mistake). Well, he is showing that he’s not a fluke in 2025. He was Top-10 in passing yards before TNF, and he has thrown 5 TDs to 2 ints. This raises the question: could Sam Darnold win the MVP?
So, Sam checks two boxes. He plays QB, and he’s an elite QB. The last MVP that wasn’t a QB was Adrian Peterson in 2012. Yes, you read that correctly. Not even Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry won MVP last season. Even Calvin Johnson, also known as Megatron, failed to win MVP.
I also believe that 2025 isn’t a year where there will be historic performances by a QB. Lamar Jackson is 1-2, and Patrick Mahomes is 1-2. Joe Burrow is on IR. It won’t be easy for Josh Allen to win an MVP in consecutive seasons. Aaron Rodgers won MVP in consecutive seasons (2020 and 2021). Before A-Rod, the last QB to win consecutive MVPs was Peyton Manning in 2008 and 2009.
I believe Darnold deserves more respect than Allen because he plays in the NFC West, which showcases a few winning teams (including SEA). Meanwhile, the AFC East showcases one winning squad, and that is the Bills! The Jets and Dolphins still don’t even have a victory to their name.
I would like to see Darnold win 14 games and finish Top-5 in passing yds and passing TDs. I don’t believe leading the league in passing yards will be enough to win MVP. After all, Drew Brees threw five 5k yard passing seasons and he failed to win MVP once. Well, Darnold has shown that he’s more than a passing yard maniac right now, as he was clutch in leading his team to a game winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
It’s quite impressive that Darnold is on another level. PFSN ranked his OL as the 29th best OL in the league in early September. Darnold’s OC Klint Kubiak is in his first year as the Hawks OC. The Hawks even moved on from DK Metcalf. Darnold is flat out impressive with his mental ability, besides arm talent.
Darnold has a Cinderella story. In his first six years, he failed to be a Pro Bowl QB. Somehow, Kevin O’Connell, who made Kirk Cousins a Pro Bowl QB, made Darnold a Top-10 QB. It would seem silly to assume that Darnold could outperform his 2024 self where he had Justin Jefferson and O’Connell, improve in 2025. So far, Darnold has done that, and he is showing that he can be the long-term QB.
PFF has given Darnold a grade of 91.1, which is first among QBs so far. I still believe he can improve, as he’s in his first season in a new system, and he’s still improving his chemistry with the likes of Jaxon Smith Njigba and Cooper Kupp. With that said, if you hear Darnold improve and have his name called for winning MVP, don’t be distraught.
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