In the most significant surprise of the Thursday night NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named The Associated Press’ NFL Most Valuable Player, overcoming the consensus favorite, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Allen’s victory represents a historical anomaly, as he is the first player in 21 seasons to earn the MVP award without having been selected as a first-team All-Pro.
Since the award’s inception in 1957, only two other players have accomplished this feat: Broncos quarterback John Elway (1987, when Joe Montana was first-team All-Pro) and Titans quarterback Steve McNair (2003, Peyton Manning).
The MVP race was one of the most intensely contested in recent memory. Allen secured 27 of the 49 first-place votes, five more than Jackson, who had been selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback just last month.
Given that the same voters determine both awards, Jackson was widely perceived as the favorite to claim what would have been his third MVP trophy.
In total voting, Allen accumulated 378 points, receiving 21 second-place votes and one third. Jackson finished with 352 points, backed by 26 second-place votes and one fourth. Allen becomes the third Bills player to win the MVP award, following O.J. Simpson (1973) and Thurman Thomas (1991).
Accepting the award, Allen acknowledged the collective effort:
“I know this is an individual award and it says Most Valuable Player on it, but I think it’s derived from team success, and I love my team.”
He also extended his respect to the fellow finalists, including Jackson:
“They all had great seasons and all could be standing here today and you guys would be deserving of it. You guys are true stewards of the game. I look up to you guys. I admire you guys.”
Despite trailing Jackson in nearly all major statistical categories, the prevailing narrative that bolstered Allen’s case was his perceived ability to achieve more with less. After losing his top two wide receivers, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen led the Bills to the AFC East title and the AFC’s second-best record at 13-4.
Allen made history by becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least 25 touchdown passes, 10 touchdown runs, and fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season. He concluded the year with 28 touchdown passes, 12 rushing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. His MVP win also came with a $1.5 million bonus.
Bills coach Sean McDermott had previously praised his quarterback’s impact, stating:
“Josh Allen’s leadership, his consistent leadership, was the biggest reason why we did what we did this season. So, anybody that tries to say otherwise, I know better. I’ve seen it, and him now doing that every season for us, not an easy undertaking, but he is and was the reason, his leadership, his play … was connected to his level of leadership on our football team. So, I believe those two went hand in hand and he continues to do that, we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
Jackson, who left the event without an award, had arguably his best statistical season, surpassing his numbers from his prior MVP seasons (2019 and 2023). In his seventh NFL season, he set career highs with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes.
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While leading the Ravens to their first number one ranking in offense, Jackson became the first player in league history to record over 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in the same season.
His 119.6 passer rating ranked as the fourth highest in NFL history, only trailing Aaron Rodgers (122.5 in 2011 and 121.5 in 2020) and Peyton Manning (121.1 in 2004), who both won MVP in those respective seasons.
Other major award winners at NFL honors
| Award | Winner (Team/Position) | Key Detail & Voting |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Saquon Barkley (Eagles/RB) | First Eagles player to win the award. Rushed for over 2,000 yards (9th player to do so), narrowly missing Eric Dickerson’s all-time record. Received 34 of 49 first-place votes. |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Patrick Surtain II (Broncos/CB) | First cornerback in five years to win. Allowed just two touchdowns and 306 receiving yards. Received 25 first-place votes, beating Trey Hendrickson (11) and Myles Garrett (5). |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Jayden Daniels (Commanders/QB) | Led Washington to its best season in over three decades (12-5). First rookie in history to throw for over 3,500 yards and rush for over 800 yards. Received 48 of 49 first-place votes. |
| Defensive Rookie of the Year | Jared Verse (Rams/Pass Rusher) | First Rams winner since Aaron Donald (2014). Led all rookies with 18 quarterback hits and 50 pressures. Received 36 first-place votes. |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Joe Burrow (Bengals/QB) | Rebounded from a season-ending wrist injury to lead the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes. |
| Coach of the Year | Kevin O’Connell (Vikings) | Led Minnesota to 14 victories after an August injury to their first-round pick and a low preseason win projection (6.5). Second Vikings coach to win (Bud Grant, 1969). |
| Walter Payton Man of the Year | Arik Armstead (Jaguars/DL) | Recognizes excellence on and off the field for positive community impact. |
| Assistant Coach of the Year | Ben Johnson (Former Lions OC) | Beat out Vikings DC Brian Flores and former Lions DC Aaron Glenn. |
| Salute to Service Award | George Kittle (49ers/TE) | Honored for his work supporting U.S. service members. |
