During the recent MVP voting, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert received one of the 50 first-place votes despite posting less impressive statistics than others. Drake Maye trailed Matthew Stafford by only five points in the MVP race, and if that unusual first-place vote for Herbert had instead gone to Maye, the two would have been tied with 24 first-place votes each. This surprising choice has raised questions about the criteria and reasoning behind some voters’ decisions.
The Voter’s Perspective on Herbert’s Value
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus revealed himself as the voter who awarded Herbert a first-place vote. He justified his vote by emphasizing how Herbert provided exceptional value to the Chargers compared to other players this season. Monson pointed to Herbert’s ability to overcome the worst offensive line in the NFL and still produce remarkable performances.
The guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game,
Monson wrote on social media.
Stafford’s OL became 2/5ths as bad as Herbert’s for 5 minutes and he became a turnover howitzer. He embodied ‘value’.
– Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus Analyst
Monson later indicated that there were two additional players he considered worthy of the MVP title but did not disclose their identities. He also acknowledged that Maye enjoyed a better supporting cast than Herbert, despite his vote for the Chargers’ quarterback.
How something is seen preseason is not necessarily how it performs,
Monson added in a reply to comments about Maye’s high performance despite a less impressive supporting lineup. – Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus Analyst
Comparing Supporting Teams and Player Statistics
Monson’s argument that Herbert had far less talent around him holds weight given the Chargers’ significant challenges. Their offensive line was ranked the third worst in the NFL, with numerous injuries hindering overall performance. Additionally, no Chargers receiver surpassed 800 yards, and their leading rusher managed only 643 yards this season.
In contrast, Maye’s New England team had comparatively superior support. The Patriots’ offensive line ranked 11th, significantly better than Los Angeles’s depleted unit. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs amassed over 1,000 receiving yards, and their running game was strong, with TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson combining for 1,514 yards. Despite this, the Chargers fielded more players with over 700 receiving yards.
Statistically, Maye outperformed Herbert in most passing categories. Maye led the NFL with a 72 percent completion rate, a passer rating of 113.5, and 8.9 yards per attempt. He was also third in passing touchdowns with 31 and ranked fourth in passing yards at 4,394. Herbert’s numbers included 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, a 94.1 passer rating, and 7.3 yards per attempt. Herbert also threw 13 interceptions, compared to Maye’s eight. The Patriots’ stronger 14-3 record further distinguished Maye’s season from the Chargers’ 10-7 finish.
Postseason Performances and Close MVP Race
It is important to note that MVP voting concluded before the playoffs, so neither Maye’s nor Herbert’s performances in New England’s wild-card victory over Los Angeles factored into the decision. Stafford led the league in touchdown passes (46) and passing yards (4,707), with Bills quarterback Josh Allen being the only other player to receive a first-place vote.
This year’s MVP vote was the narrowest since 2003, when two quarterbacks from the same AFC division shared the award. The significance of close MVP races continues to fuel debates among fans and analysts about the fairness and consistency of the voting process.
Additional NFL Honors and Upcoming Events
At Thursday’s NFL Honors ceremony, the Patriots secured some distinctions, with Mike Vrabel named Coach of the Year and Josh McDaniels taking Assistant Coach of the Year. Former kicker Adam Vinatieri was announced as a 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, further celebrating New England’s NFL legacy.
Meanwhile, the Celtics returned home after a brief road trip in Texas and are set to face the Miami Heat Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a game against the New York Knicks on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Boston’s homestand will continue through Wednesday before the All-Star break.
Looking ahead, anticipation builds for Super Bowl LX, which will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m., the game features the Patriots facing the Seahawks. This marks New England’s first Super Bowl appearance in seven years, as the team aims to become the first in NFL history to claim seven Super Bowl championships.
MVP is the single hardest award to 'correctly' determine, because the focus is on 'value', which is basically impossible to objectively evaluate with so many dependencies.
But the idea that one vote altered a guy's legacy is stupid.
More people than not thought each candidate…
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) February 6, 2026
How something is seen preseason is not necessarily how it performs.
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) February 6, 2026
