Drake Maye came just one vote shy of claiming the NFL MVP award in 2025, with the decisive ballot given to a player who was not even named among the finalists. The New England Patriots quarterback finished a narrow second to Matthew Stafford in one of the league’s tightest MVP races in recent memory.
The difference was a single first-place vote, which ultimately prevented Maye, in only his second year, from securing the coveted honor.
How a Single Vote Decided the MVP Outcome
The MVP competition this year was exceptionally close, as Matthew Stafford edged out Drake Maye by only five total voting points. Stafford earned 24 first-place votes, while Maye received 23. However, the deciding factor was an unexpected first-place vote cast for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, even though Herbert was not officially a finalist for the MVP award.
If that vote had gone to Maye instead, he would have either tied for the MVP or surpassed Stafford outright, altering the final result.
Controversy Surrounds the Voting and Its Implications
Because a first-place MVP vote carries significant influence in a race this close, the decision to cast a ballot outside the finalist group raised questions. Maye’s impressive season made him a clear contender, which intensified the debate over how the voting process was handled. Although Stafford’s win complied with existing rules, much of the discussion has shifted toward the fairness and procedures behind MVP balloting rather than the players’ on-field performances themselves.
With the outcome hinging on a single outlier vote, the 2025 NFL MVP race is likely to remain a subject of discussion and analysis in the years to come.
Drake Maye lost the MVP because he had one less first-place vote than Matthew Stafford. That one vote went to someone – Justin Herbert – who wasn't even a finalist.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 6, 2026
