MVP Vote Shock: Sam Monson Reveals Justin Herbert Backlash

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford secured his first MVP award this week after a close points race with New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Stafford received 366 points, narrowly surpassing Maye’s 361 points. However, NFL analyst Sam Monson sparked debate by disclosing that he cast his first-place MVP vote for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, a choice that stirred significant controversy among fans.

Sam Monson Explains His Choice and Faces Hostile Reactions

Monson defended his vote for Herbert by highlighting the challenges Herbert overcame. He pointed out that Herbert operated behind the league’s worst offensive line throughout the season yet consistently performed at an extraordinary level. On social media, Monson wrote,

“The guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game.”

He contrasted this with Stafford’s briefly weakened offensive line, which coincided with multiple turnovers. Monson argued that Herbert’s resilience demonstrated true ‘value’ as an MVP candidate.

Despite his first-place vote for Herbert, Monson revealed on his podcast with Steve Palazzolo that he ranked Stafford second and Drake Maye third in his MVP selections. Following the public disclosure of his vote, Monson received severe backlash, including hateful messages, one containing threats and insults directed at him and his family.

“Your wife is an ugly, miserable lesbo pig. You wanted attention, now you have it. I hope you all die in a fiery car crash.”

—Fan, via text message shared by Sam Monson

Criticism from Prominent Figures Adds to the Controversy

The controversy extended beyond fans to include sharp criticism from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Portnoy condemned Monson’s vote on social media, accusing him of overestimating his expertise and suggesting the vote cost Drake Maye the MVP award. He wrote,

“Imagine thinking you outsmarted every other human who watched football. Only cost Maye the MVP. Luckily, we play for Lombardi’s in New England.”

Meanwhile, Maye continues his quest for a Super Bowl title as the Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks.

Implications of the MVP Voting Dispute for NFL Narratives

This MVP voting controversy shines a light on the subjective nature of award selections in the NFL and the passionate responses they generate among fans and analysts alike. Sam Monson’s unapologetic stance underscores a broader debate about how value is measured in football, especially when factoring in adversity like poor offensive line support. The intense backlash and public criticism also highlight the pressures analysts face when making unpopular decisions.

Looking ahead, the reactions to this MVP voting dispute may influence how future ballots are discussed publicly and could impact the credibility and scrutiny surrounding analyst choices. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford’s MVP achievement and Drake Maye’s playoff performance remain central to NFL storylines as the season advances.

Man, some people are completely unhinged pic.twitter.com/nFRNq2fUfH

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) February 8, 2026

😂😂😂😂. Imagine thinking you outsmarted every other human who watched football. Only cost Maye the MVP. Luckily we play for Lombardi’s in New England. https://t.co/b5fvOrjbw6

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) February 6, 2026