Fans fear for Drake Maye’s MVP chances after All-Pro snub but Josh Allen precedent provides hope

Drake Maye’s bid for the NFL Most Valuable Player has been thrown into jeopardy.

Ahead of the 2025 playoffs, the Associated Press announced the 2025 NFL All-Pro teams which was comprised from selections from a national panel of 50 media members.

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But it was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford who was named to the All-Pro first team.

The 14-3 New England Patriots star ultimately was named on the All-Pro second team, whilst reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen was named to the third team.

Stafford’s selection made him only the second player in NFL history to be named a first-team All-Pro for the very first time in his 17th season or later.

He joins former kicker Gary Anderson, who also made it for the first time in Year 17, back in 1998, whilst former Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants signal caller Fran Tarkenton held the previous record for longest wait with 15 years back in 1975.

Before Stafford even came into his 17th season, there were huge concerns over whether his body could handle all that comes with being an NFL quarterback, amid a plethora of back ailments over the course of the off-season.

But the 37-year-old didn’t miss a single game, and finished the season as the league’s passing yards leader (4,707 yards) and touchdowns leader (46 TD) to just eight interceptions as the Rams went 12-5.

For comparison, Maye – who evolved from a potential draft bust into one of the best arms in the league in just two seasons as pro – led the league in completion percentage (72.0) and QBR (77.2) as he recorded 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Usually, the trend is that the first-team All-Pro quarterback goes on to claim the MVP award.

By this logic, Maye’s hopes of being named MVP would be in tatters, which has fans worried.

“Yea he’s officially robbed for MVP,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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“Kinda bs. You aren’t in the MVP discussion and making second team,” another posted.

“Lmfao 2nd team is funny. Without this guy we’d be looking at the offense scratching our heads wondering why they never got any talent to help the QB,” a third remarked.

“Snubbed,” was all a fourth fan could say as another changed the narrative and called for Maye to use it as “fuel.”

There were three unanimous choices overall, with voters all agreeing on single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett, and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, being included.

Recent history perhaps on Maye’s side

Whilst the All-Pro first team is usually an early indicator of the MVP, there have been two occasions since 1987 when MVP voting has gone another way.

In 1987, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was named MVP after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana was selected as the first-team All-Pro.

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Normal service resumed until the 2024 season when Lamar Jackson was snubbed of his third MVP award despite receiving the most votes from the AP in favor of Buffalo Bills signal caller Josh Allen.

However, Maye won’t be focused on whether or not he will win the most coveted individual award in football.

Instead, he has the Patriots in a strong position to go on a deep postseason run and win a Super Bowl as he seeks to be the heir to Tom Brady, whilst there is also a Super Bowl MVP award also up for grabs should he get there.

But hope is not lost for the Patriots star yet, as Maye could yet seal the regular season MVP award.

He could then go on to have a chance to join an elite club alongside Kurt Warner and Patrick Mahomes who have each won double MVP prizes and the Vince Lombardi trophy in a single campaign.

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