Who deserves the 2024-25 NFL season MVP

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer • January 6, 2025

Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, in a game against the Washington Football Team at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, NY on September 26, 2021. Allen is a top-contender for MVP this season. All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

As the NFL regular season edges toward its thrilling conclusion, the debate over the league’s Most Valuable Player intensifies. With so many standout performances in the 2024-25 NFL season, a question on everyone’s mind is, who truly deserves the coveted MVP title? Is it the record-breaking quarterback putting up astounding numbers week after week, an all-star running back commanding the defense’s attention, or perhaps a game-changing wide receiver redefining offensive strategies? With everything considered, here are the best choices to receive the prestigious title.

5. Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings)

Many football fans didn’t expect much out of Sam Darnold this season, but oh how he’s proven fans wrong. In the 2024 NFL off-season, Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings as a replacement for injured quarterback JJ McCarthy, who Minnesota had drafted only a few months before. Expectations were low for Darnold based on his previous performances with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, but now 10 months later, Darnold has shut down all of his critics as he has led Minnesota to being talked about as a serious Superbowl contender. Darnold is currently fourth in passing yards (4,153 yards) and fifth in passing touchdowns (35 touchdowns) this year and would be a very suitable candidate for MVP.

4. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)

This year’s NFL season has certainly been nothing but a testament to the resilience of Joe Burrow. The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have a favorable start to the season with a (0-3) record, but that wasn’t enough to stop Burrow. The Pro Bowl quarterback would go on to lead the NFL in passing yards with an astounding 4,641 yards to his name. Burrow would also go on to have a 71% completion percentage, which is impressive alone not taking into consideration the lackluster defense of Cincinnati this year. Unfortunately through all of his efforts, Burrow was unable to secure a playoff spot for the Bengals, losing the last spot to the Denver Broncos in Week 18. With everything Burrow has done for his team this season, the MVP award would be well-deserved for Burrow.

3. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

Experts and fans alike expected greatness out of Lamar Jackson in the 2024-25 NFL season, but one calendar year later Jackson could lead the Baltimore Ravens to their first Superbowl win since 2013. Jackson and the Ravens fought hard this season. Constantly being at war with division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers for number one in the AFC North, but now after dominant victories over Pittsburgh and the Cleveland Browns in the last two weeks Baltimore has secured #1 in the division. Jackson’s case is also assisted by the fact he has had a career with touchdowns this year with 41 in the regular season. It’s a remarkable way to finish his regular season. There is one recurring question that holds Jackson back in the debate, will voter fatigue set it? In the process costing Lamar his third MVP?

2. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)

Football fans were ecstatic in the 2024 NFL off-season when Saquon Barkley officially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. With the regular season ending, Barkley has led Philadelphia to first place in the NFC East off the back of his determination and athletic prowess. This feat was accompanied by Barkley placing 8th in all-time rushing yards in a regular season, behind legends such as Adrian Peterson, Barry Sanders, and Eric Dickerson. Whilst also being discussed as a serious Superbowl contender, a regular season MVP would be a perfect way to cap off a career-defining season.

1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

There are not too many men who’ve had a season like Josh Allen has this year. The Buffalo Bills took a big blow in the off-season with the loss of star wide receiver Stephon Diggs to the Houston Texans, but Allen wasn’t going to let that stop him. He would lead Buffalo to a (13-4) regular season, defined by being the team to end the undefeated streak of the Kansas City Chiefs. A prime example of the unmatched talent of Allen. Overall, Josh Allen’s 2024-25 season has further solidified his status as a top-tier quarterback. The legacy that has been created in Buffalo by Allen is unforgettable. What many fans want to know now is, will Josh Allen bring home Buffalo’s first Super Bowl?

About the Contributor

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer