The race for the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award has received a major clue with the release of the prestigious Associated Press All-Pro teams. The selections, a traditional bellwether for the MVP, reveal a neck-and-neck contest between two star quarterbacks.
A Key Indicator in a Tight MVP Race
Historically, securing a spot on the All-Pro first team has been the clearest sign of who will clinch the league's MVP honour. This year, that coveted first-team quarterback position belongs to Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. His primary rival, New England Patriots sophomore Drake Maye, was named to the All-Pro second team.
While not an absolute guarantee, this distinction heavily favours Stafford. The last time a first-team All-Pro quarterback failed to win the MVP was in 2023, when Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen claimed the prize over Baltimore's Lamar Jackson. Before that, a similar upset hadn't occurred since 1987.
Statistical Dominance vs. Inspirational Turnaround
The case for each candidate is compelling but built on different foundations. Matthew Stafford posted league-leading numbers, throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. He outperformed all other passers, including his successor in Detroit, Jared Goff, by a significant margin.
Conversely, Drake Maye's candidacy is rooted in leadership and transformation. In just his second season, Maye engineered a stunning reversal for the Patriots. After a dismal 2024, he led New England to the AFC's two-seed and an AFC East division title in 2025, achieving this with a less-heralded receiving corps than Stafford's elite group.
2025 All-Pro Teams: The Full Line-Up
The first-team offence showcases the NFL's top talent. Alongside Stafford, it features Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, and a wide receiver trio of the Rams' Puka Nacua, Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase. San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey earned the all-purpose spot, with Arizona's Trey McBride at tight end.
On first-team defence, Cleveland's record-setting Myles Garrett headlines the edge rushers, joined by Houston's Will Anderson Jr. and Green Bay's Micah Parsons. The cornerbacks are Houston's Derek Stingley Jr. and Philadelphia's Quinyon Mitchell.
The second-team offence is led by Drake Maye, with Buffalo's James Cook at running back. The wide receivers are Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown, Dallas's George Pickens, and New Orleans's Chris Olave. Atlanta's Kyle Pitts is the second-team tight end.
Second-team defensive honours went to edge rushers Brian Burns (Giants), Danielle Hunter (Texans), and Aidan Hutchinson (Lions), alongside linebackers Devin Lloyd (Jaguars) and Ernest Jones IV (Seahawks). The cornerbacks are Denver's Patrick Surtain II and Seattle's Devon Witherspoon.
The Final Verdict Awaits
Voting for the MVP is conducted before the playoffs, meaning postseason performances will not influence the outcome. The winner will be unveiled at the NFL Honors ceremony during Super Bowl week. While Stafford's first-team All-Pro selection gives him a historical edge, Maye's remarkable season ensures the result is far from a foregone conclusion, setting the stage for a dramatic announcement.
