The debate for the 2025-26 NFL Most Valuable Player award has become the hottest topic as the regular season wraps up. The conversation has narrowed down to two exceptional quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots. The discussion reached a new level when football legend Tom Brady publicly shared his verdict on who should win the prestigious honour.
Tom Brady's Verdict on the MVP Duel
Speaking on 'The Herd with Colin Cowherd', the legendary former quarterback provided his expert analysis. Brady emphasised that this was not a case of one player being superior and the other lacking. He stated that both athletes had phenomenal seasons and are worthy of high praise.
Brady expressed clear admiration for Drake Maye's astonishing second-year leap in the league. He credited offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for Maye's development and applauded the young quarterback's skill in maximising every opportunity. Guiding the Patriots to a stellar 14-3 record and the AFC's No. 2 seed, Maye displayed maturity, pinpoint accuracy, and leadership that defied his limited experience.
However, when pressed to choose one name, Brady's pick leaned on veteran prowess. "I just see Matt Stafford as a Hall-of-Fame-level quarterback who has played his best season of football," Brady declared. He explained that Stafford's unwavering consistency, commanding leadership, and ability to deliver under any circumstances gave him the slight edge in an incredibly close contest.
By The Numbers: A Statistical Dead Heat
The statistics from the season reveal why this MVP race is so difficult to call. Both quarterbacks posted numbers that are typically award-winning.
Matthew Stafford topped the entire NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes. His performance was instrumental in securing a 12-5 record and a playoff berth for the Los Angeles Rams in the competitive NFC.
On the other side, Drake Maye compiled 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. He led the league in both completion percentage (72%) and QBR. His efficient and poised play was a key factor in transforming New England into one of the league's most well-rounded teams.
A telling statistic is that both Stafford and Maye were part of a very small group of quarterbacks this season to achieve the elite combination of over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns while throwing fewer than 10 interceptions. This highlights the remarkable efficiency and minimal errors that characterised their campaigns.
The Final Stretch and Brady's Summary
While team success gives a slight advantage to Maye's Patriots, the betting markets currently favour Matthew Stafford. Sportsbooks have listed the Rams' veteran as the frontrunner as the football world awaits the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5, 2026.
Tom Brady perhaps offered the perfect conclusion to the debate, stating there is "no bad choice." The 2025-26 NFL MVP race ultimately presents a compelling narrative: one candidate represents the pinnacle of experienced excellence having a career-defining year, while the other signifies the astonishingly rapid arrival of the league's next generational superstar. The decision will reveal what the voters value most in this exceptional season.
